Tattoo Parlour Licence
The City’s review of the Business Licensing By-law has been completed and Business Licensing By-law 122-2024 is effective November 4, 2024. Details on the review along with the approved program enhancements are available in Report SF-24-06. A Licence is required for all Tattoo Parlours. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
A Tattoo Parlour means any place involved in the marking of skin with indelible pigment or other such substance to produce a permanent design, mark or similar feature on the skin, but does not include a place which exclusively provides permanent makeup, microblading or micropigmentation services.
If you are unsure whether your business requires a Tattoo Parlour Licence, please email [email protected] with a description of your business for further guidance.
This Licence class may qualify for a Modular Licence.
Application Requirements
Fees for a new Tattoo Parlour Licence: $250 ($50 application fee plus $200 new licence fee).
To apply for a new Tattoo Parlour Licence, you must submit the following documents:
- Business Name Registration or Franchise Agreement
- Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
- Property Ownership or Lease of Premises for your place of business
- Commercial General Liability Insurance with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence
- You will also be required to provide the City with a Durham Region Health Inspection Report for your business
Renewal Requirements
Fees to renew your current Tattoo Parlour Licence: $200 ($50 application fee plus $150 renewal licence fee).
To renew your current Tattoo Parlour Licence, you must submit the following documents:
- Business Name Registration or Franchise Agreement
- Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
- Commercial General Liability Insurance with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence
- You will also be required to provide the City with a Durham Region Health Inspection Report for your business
Apply for a new or renew Tattoo Parlour Licence
Frequently asked questions
| How long does it take to get a Tattoo Parlour Licence? |
| A Tattoo Parlour Licence takes about two (2) to four (4) weeks to issue. However, this depends on the inspections and approvals required from various departments. |
| What inspections are required? |
| Approvals from Oshawa Fire Services (O.F.S.), Property Standards, and Durham Region Health (D.R.H.) may be required before your Tattoo Parlour Licence can be issued. Once you submit your application, we will contact these departments to let them know that your business requires these inspections. O.F.S. ensures your business complies with the Fire Code, and our Property Standards Officers check for compliance with the City’s Property Standards By-law. D.R.H. inspects your business for compliance with the Health Protection and Promotion Act. |
| What if my business is being renovated or under construction? |
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If you are doing renovations or construction on your business, you may require a building permit. You can visit the Building Services webpage for more information. If you require a business sign installed, please visit the Sign Permits webpage. If you have an active building permit, your Tattoo Parlour Licence cannot be issued until it is closed. |
| Where can I open up my Tattoo Parlour business? |
| To check the zoning for your proposed business location, you can contact Planning Services and visit their Zoning webpage. |
| Can I transfer my Tattoo Parlour Licence? |
| Business licences issued by the City of Oshawa, including Tattoo Parlour Licences, cannot be transferred to a new owner or another location. If you are selling your business, the new owner will have to apply for a new Tattoo Parlour Licence. If you are moving your Tattoo Parlour business to a different location, you will have to apply for a new Tattoo Parlour Licence. |
Licences previously issued under Repealed Business Licensing By-law 120-2005 are valid for the duration of licence term and are subject to the requirements, regulations and conditions found in By-law 120-2005. Any renewal of a licence after that term has expired is subject to the requirements, regulations and conditions of Business Licensing By-law 122-2024.