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Edina, Minnesota

City Code

Rule

Section 745 - Body Art Establishments

745.01 Purpose. This ordinance is enacted to establish standards to protect health, safety and general welfare of the people of Edina through regulation of body art establishments.

The general objectives of this ordinance are:

A. To prevent disease transmission;

B. To correct and prevent conditions that may adversely affect persons utilizing body art establishments;

C. To provide standards for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of body art establishments; and

D. To meet consumer expectations of the safety of body art establishments.

745.02 General Provisions.

Subd. 1. Scope.   This ordinance shall apply to all individuals performing body art procedures and all body art establishments where tattooing and body piercing are conducted.

Subd. 2. Exemptions.  Licensed medical or dental personnel that tattoo or pierce as part of a medical or dental procedure are exempt from this ordinance.  Also, individuals piercing only the lobe of the ear using a pre-sterilized single use ear-piercing system with the stud and clasp contained in a single use cartridge or cassette following the manufacturers instructions are exempt from this ordinance’s license requirements. 

Subd. 3. Prohibitions.   No individual shall:

A. Conduct branding, cutting, implantation, suspension, or scarification of another individual;

B. Use an ear piercing system on any part of the client’s body other than the lobe of the ear.

C. Pierce or tattoo the genitalia or nipples of a minor;

D. Practice tattooing or piercing while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 152.01, subd. 4, or hazardous substances as defined in the rules adopted under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 182; or

E. Operate a body art establishment or perform body art procedures as described in this ordinance without a license.

745.03 Definitions.

Aftercare means written instructions given to the client, specific to the procedure(s) rendered, on caring for the body art and surrounding area.  These instructions shall include information on when to seek medical treatment.

Antiseptic means an agent that destroys disease-causing microorganisms on human skin or mucosa.

Body Art means physical body adornment using, but not limited to, the following techniques: body piercing, tattooing, and cosmetic tattooing.  This definition does not include practices that are considered part of a medical procedure performed by licensed medical or dental personnel, such as, but not limited to, implants under the skin.  Such medical procedures shall not be performed in a body art establishment. 

Body Art Establishment means any place or premise, whether public or private, temporary or permanent in nature or location, where the practices of body art, whether or not for profit, are performed.

Body Piercing means the penetration or puncturing of human skin by any method, for the purpose of inserting jewelry or other objects, in or through the human body. “Body Piercing” shall not refer to any medical procedure performed by licensed medical or dental personnel.  Also, “Body Piercing” shall not refer to the puncturing of the lobe of the ear using a pre-sterilized ear-piercing system with the stud and clasp contained in a single use cartridge or cassette following the manufacturers instructions.

Body Scarification or Scarring shall mean any method of applying a scar to the body for the purpose of creating a permanent mark or design on the skin.

Branding shall mean any method using heat, cold, or any chemical compound to apply a scar to the body for the purpose of creating a permanent mark or design on the skin.

Contaminated Waste means any liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials; contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed; items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials and are capable of releasing these materials during handling; sharps and any wastes containing blood and other potentially infectious materials, as defined in Code 29 of Federal Regulations Part 1910.1030, known as “Occupational Exposure to Blood borne Pathogens.”

Cosmetic Tattooing.   See definition of tattooing.

Cutting means the practice of cutting the skin, mucosa or part of the body to create a permanent scar or division of tissue for the purpose of body art.  “Cutting” shall not refer to any medical procedure performed by licensed medical or dental personnel.

Disinfection means the destruction of disease-causing microorganisms on inanimate objects or surfaces, thereby rendering the objects safe for use or handling.

Ear Piercing System means an instrument designed to puncture the ear lobe using a pre-sterilized single use stud and clasp earring.

Equipment means all machinery, including fixtures, containers, vessels, tools, devices, implements, furniture, display and storage areas, sinks, and all other apparatus and appurtenances used in the operation of a body art establishment.

Establishment Plan means a to-scale drawing of the establishment’s layout illustrating the requirements of this ordinance.

Hand sink means a lavatory equipped with hot and cold water held under pressure, used solely for washing hands, wrists, arms or other portions of the body.

Health Department means the Edina Health Department, its designated employees, or other designated agents.

Hot Water means water at least 110 ° F.

Implanting means to fix or set securely an object in or under tissue and includes, but is not limited to, 3-dimensional body art applications.  Implanting does not include medical procedures performed by licensed medical and dental personnel.

Individual means a human being.

Jewelry means any personal ornament inserted into a newly pierced area.

Liquid Chemical Germicide means a disinfectant or sanitizer registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Operator or Technician means any individual who controls, operates, manages, conducts or practices body art activities at a body art establishment and who is responsible for compliance with these regulations, whether actually performing body art activities or not.  The term includes technicians who work under the direction of the operator and perform body art activities.

Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, or association.

Procedure means body art as defined in this Section.

Procedure Area means the physical space or room used solely for conducting body art procedures.

Procedure Surface means the surface area of furniture or accessories that may come into contact with the client’s clothed or unclothed body during a body art procedure.  “Procedure Surface” also means the area of the client’s skin where the body art procedure is to be performed and the surrounding area, or any other associated work area requiring sanitizing.

Remodel means any change to the current establishment requiring either a building or trades permit for the work to proceed.  “Remodel” does not include changes to the front desk area, waiting area, painting, wallpapering, or carpeting, even if a permit is otherwise required.  Adding a new workstation, plumbing changes, or expanding into an adjacent space to add workstations are examples of remodeling.  “Remodeling” also means any changes to an establishment plan previously submitted to the Edina Health Department.

Sanitization (or to sanitize) means a process of reducing the numbers of microorganisms on clean surfaces and equipment to a safe level.

Safe Level means not more than 50 colonies of microorganisms per 4 square inches of equipment or procedure surface.

Sharps means any object (sterile or contaminated) that may purposefully or accidentally, cut or penetrate the skin or mucosa including, but not limited to, pre-sterilized single use needles, scalpel blades, and razor blades.

Sharps Container means a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container that is closed for handling, storage, transportation and disposal.  The “Sharps Container” shall be labeled with the international biohazard symbol.

Single Use means products or items intended for one time use and are disposed of after use on each client.   Examples of “Single Use” items include cotton swabs or balls, tissues or paper products, paper or plastic cups, gauze and sanitary coverings, razors, piercing needles, tattoo needles, stencils, ink cups, and protective gloves.

Standard Precautions (or “universal precautions”) means a set of guidelines and controls, published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as “Guidelines for Prevention of Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B Virus to Health-care and Public-Safety Workers”.  This method of infection control requires the employer and the employee to assume that all human blood and specified human body fluids are infectious for HIV, HVB and other blood pathogens.  Precautions include handwashing, gloving, personal protective equipment, injury prevention, and proper handling and disposal of needles, other sharp instruments, and blood and body fluid contaminated products.

Sterilization means a process resulting in the destruction of all forms of microbial life, including highly resistant bacterial spores.

Suspension means the piercing of human tissue with large gauge fishing hooks or other piercing apparatus to raise or lower an individual with pulleys or other apparatus.

Tattooing means any method of placing ink or other pigments into or under the skin or mucosa with needles or any other instruments used to puncture the skin, resulting in permanent coloration of the skin or mucosa.  This includes all forms of cosmetic tattooing.

745.04 License Administration.

Subd. 1. License Required.   No person shall own or operate a body art establishment without an establishment license. Each license shall be obtained from the City Clerk pursuant to Section 160 of this Code.

Subd. 2. Licensing Procedure.  

A. All applications, new and renewal, for licenses shall be made upon forms furnished by the City Clerk.  The application shall be submitted to the City Clerk accompanied by a fee as set forth in Section 185 of this Code.

B. Each establishment license application shall describe the general nature of the business, the location, and any other information deemed necessary by the Health Department.

Subd. 3. Location Restricted.  No individual shall engage in body art activities at any place other than a licensed establishment.

Subd. 4. License Expiration.   Licenses issued pursuant to this code shall commence and expire on the dates indicated on the license.

Subd. 5. Transfer and Display of License.   Only a person who complies with the requirements of this ordinance shall be entitled to receive a license.  A license shall not be transferable as to person or place.  A valid license shall be posted pursuant to Section 160 of this Code.

745.05  Inspection and Plan Review.

Subd. 1. Inspection Required.   The Health Department shall inspect each body art establishment:

A. Before issuing a license for a new establishment;

B. As part of a construction or remodeling plan review;

C. As part of a complaint investigation; or

D. At least once a year for a routine inspection. 

Subd. 2. Construction Inspections.   The body art establishment shall be constructed in conformance with the approved plans.  The Health Department shall inspect the body art establishment as frequently as necessary during the construction to ensure that the construction occurs in conformance with this ordinance.  The Health Department shall conduct a final construction inspection prior to the start of operations and issuance of a license.

Subd. 3. Access to Premises and Records.   The operator of the body art establishment shall, upon request of the Health Department and after proper identification, permit access to all parts of the establishment at any reasonable time, for the purpose of inspection.  The operator shall allow review of any records necessary for the Health Department to ascertain compliance to this ordinance.

Subd. 4. Interference with the Health Department.   No person shall interfere with or hinder the Health Inspector in the performance of its duties, or refuse to permit the Health Department to make such inspections.

Subd. 5. Removal and Correction of Violations.   Operator(s) or technician(s) shall correct or remove each violation upon receipt of an inspection report giving notification of one or more violations of this ordinance in a reasonable length of time as determined by the Health Department.  The length of time for the correction or removal of each such violation shall be noted on the inspection report.  Failure to remove or correct each violation within the time period noted on the inspection report shall constitute a separate violation of this ordinance.  The Health Department may issue orders to halt construction or remodeling, or to take corrective measures to ensure compliance with this ordinance.

745.06 Grounds for Closure.

Subd. 1. Violations.   If any violation of this Code exist, the operator(s) or technician(s) may be ordered to discontinue all operations of the body art establishment.  Body art establishments shall only reopen with permission from the Health Department.

745.07 Standards for Health and Safety. No operator or body art establishment shall engage in body art activities without complying with the following regulations:

Subd. 1. Facilities.  

A. Any new or remodeled establishment shall submit to the Health Department a to-scale establishment plan in sufficient detail to ascertain compliance with conditions in this ordinance.

B. There shall be no less than one hundred fifty (150) square feet of floor space for each procedure area.  The procedure area(s) must be separated from the bathroom, retail sales area, hair salon area, or any other area that may cause potential contamination of work surfaces.  For clients requesting privacy, dividers, curtains, or partitions at a minimum shall separate multiple procedure areas.

C. Each establishment shall have a readily accessible handsink that is not in a public restroom and is equipped with:

(1) Hot and cold running water under pressure;

(2) No touch faucet controls such as wrist or foot operated;

(3) Liquid hand soap;

(4) Single use paper towels; and

(5) A garbage can.

D. Every establishment shall have at least one available bathroom equipped with a toilet and a hand lavatory.  The hand lavatory shall be supplied with:

(1)    Hot and cold running water under pressure;

(2) Liquid hand soap;

(3) Single use paper towels or mechanical hand drier/blower;

(4) A garbage can;

(5) A door that closes; and

(6) Adequate ventilation.

E. The establishment shall have an artificial light source equivalent to 20 foot-candles at three feet above the floor.  At least 100 foot-candles of light shall be provided at the level where body art procedures are performed, where sterilization takes place, and where instruments and sharps are assembled.

F. All procedure surfaces shall be smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable.

G. All ceilings shall be in good condition.

H. All walls and floors shall be free of open holes or cracks and washable.

I. All facilities shall be maintained in good working order.

J. All facilities shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

K. No establishment shall be used or occupied for living or sleeping quarters.

L. Only service animals may be allowed in the establishment.  No animals shall be allowed in the procedure area(s). 

M. Effective measures shall be taken by the operator to prevent entrance, breeding, and harborage of insects, vermin, and rodents in the establishment.

Subd. 2. Equipment and Instruments.

A. All jewelry used as part of a piercing procedure shall be sterilized before use.  All reusable instruments shall be thoroughly washed to remove all organic matter, rinsed, and sterilized before and after use.  All needles shall be sterilized single use needles. All sterilization shall be conducted using steam heat.  Steam heat sterilization units shall be operated according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

B. Jewelry must be made of surgical implant grade stainless steel, solid 14k or 18k white or yellow gold, niobium, titanium or platinum, and/or a dense low-porosity plastic.  Jewelry must be free of nicks, scratches or irregular surfaces and must be properly sterilized prior to use.

C. All inks, dyes, and other pigments shall be specifically manufactured for tattoo procedures.  The mixing of approved inks, dyes, or pigments, or their dilution with distilled water or alcohol is acceptable.

D. Immediately before applying a tattoo, the quantity of the dye used shall be transferred from the dye bottle and placed into single use paper or plastic cups.  Upon completion of the tattoo, these single use cups and their contents shall be discarded.

E. All tables, chairs, furniture or other procedure surfaces that may be exposed to blood or body fluids during the tattooing or piercing procedure shall be constructed of stainless steel, or other suitable material that will allow complete sanitization, and shall be sanitized between uses with a liquid chemical germicide.

F. Single use towels or wipes shall be provided to the client.  These towels shall be dispensed in a manner that precludes contamination and disposed of in a cleanable garbage container with a liner.

G. All bandages and surgical dressings used shall be sterile or bulk-packaged clean and stored in a clean, closed container. All instruments and supplies shall be stored clean and dry in covered containers.

H. All equipment and instruments shall be maintained in a good working order and in a clean and sanitary condition.

Subd. 3. Skin Preparation.

A. Whenever it is necessary to shave the skin, a new disposable razor must be used for each client.

B. The skin area subject to a body art procedure must be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water, rinsed thoroughly, and swabbed with an antiseptic solution.  Only single use towels or wipes shall be used in the skin cleaning process.

C. No body art procedure shall be performed on any area of the skin where there is an evident infection, irritation, or open wound. 

Subd. 4. Hand Washing and Hygiene.

A. Each technician shall scrub his or her hands and wrists thoroughly for 20 seconds before and after performing a body art procedure.

B. Technicians with skin infections of the hand shall not perform body art procedures.

C. The technician must wash his or her hands after contact with the client receiving the procedure or after contact with potentially contaminated articles.

D. Technicians shall wear clean clothing and use a disposable barrier such as a lap cloth when performing body art procedures.

E. For each client, single use disposable barriers shall be provided on all equipment used as part of the procedure that cannot be sterilized according to 745.07. Subd. 2. A.  Examples may include, but not limited to spray bottles, procedure light fixture handles, and tattoo machines.

F. Technicians shall not smoke, eat, or drink while performing body art procedures.

745.08 Glove Use.  

Subd. 1. While performing body art procedures, single use gloves of adequate size and quality as to preserve dexterity shall be used for touching clients, for handling sterile instruments, or for handling blood or body fluids. Gloves must be changed if:

A. They become damaged;

B. They come in contact with any non-clean surface or objects; or

C. They come in contact with a third person.

Subd. 2. At a minimum, gloves shall be discarded after the completion of a procedure on a client. 

Subd. 3. Hands and wrists must be washed before putting on a clean pair of gloves and after removing a pair of gloves. Gloves shall not be reused.

745.09 Disposal of Contaminated Products.

Subd. 1. Contaminated waste that may release liquid blood or body fluids when compressed or that may release dried blood or body fluids when handled, must be placed in an approved “red” bag that is marked with the international biohazard symbol.  It must be disposed of by a licensed waste hauler at an approved site, or at a minimum, in accordance with the requirements contained in 29 CFR Part 1910.1030, Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.

Subd. 2. Contaminated waste that does not release liquid blood or body fluids when compressed or handled may be placed in a covered receptacle and disposed of through normal, approved disposal methods.

Subd. 3. Sharps ready for disposal shall be disposed of in an approved sharps container. 

Subd. 4. Storage of contaminated waste on-site shall not exceed the period specified by 29 CFR Part 1910.1030, Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens.

745.10 Technician Requirements and Professional Standards.

Subd. 1. Technician Information. The following information shall be kept on file for two years on the premises and available for inspection by the Health Department for each technician:

A. Full name;

B. Home address;

C. Home phone number;

D. Date of birth;

E. Identification photo, and;

F. Exact duties.

Subd. 2. Operation Records.   The following information shall be kept on file for two years on the premises and available for inspection by the Health Department:

A. A description of all body art procedures performed;

B. An inventory of instruments, body jewelry, sharps, and inks or pigments used for all procedures including the names of manufacturers, serial and lot numbers.  Invoices or orders shall satisfy this requirement; and

C.      A copy of this ordinance shall be available at all times on premises.

Subd. 3. Parental Consent . No technician shall tattoo or pierce any person under the age of 18 years unless the person provides written consent from both the custodial and noncustodial parents where applicable, if required by M. S. 609.2246, and the written consent from a custodial parent given by the parent in person at the establishment.

Subd. 4. Proof of Age. Technicians shall request proof of age prior to performing procedures on any client.  Proof of age is established by one of the following:

A. A valid driver’s license or identification card issued by the State of Minnesota, or other state, and including the photograph and date of birth of the person;

B. A valid military identification card issued by the United States Department of Defense;

C. A valid passport; or

D. A resident alien card.

Subd. 5. Client Records. In order to aid in proper healing following the procedure, the technician shall provide a release form to the client and the client may indicate if he or she has:

A. Diabetes;

B. A history of hemophilia;

C. A history of skin diseases, skin lesions, or skin sensitivities to soap, disinfectants, etc.;

D. A history of allergies to metals;

E. A history of epilepsy, seizures, fainting or narcolepsy;

F. A condition where the client takes medications, such as anticoagulants, that thin the blood and/or interferes with blood clotting; or

G. Any other information that would aid the technician in body art procedure process evaluation.

Subd. 6. Release and Consent.

A. The technician shall ask the client to sign and date the release form confirming that the information listed in 745.10. Subd. 5. was obtained or was attempted to be obtained.

B. Before administering a body art procedure, the client must sign and date a consent form. The consent form shall disclose:

(1) That any tattoo should be considered permanent; it may only be removed with a surgical procedure; and any effective removal may leave scarring; or

(2) That any piercing may leave scarring.

Subd. 7. Grounds to Refuse Service.  Body art procedures shall not be performed on any individual who appears to be under the influence of alcohol; controlled substances as defined in Minnesota Statutes, Section 152.01, subd. 4; or hazardous substances as defined in rules adopted under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 182. 

Subd. 8. Client Record Maintenance.   The body art establishment operator shall maintain proper records for each client.  The records of the procedure shall be kept for two years and shall be available for inspection by the Health Department upon request.  The records shall include the following:

A. The date of the procedure;

B. Record of information on picture identification showing name, age, and current address of the client;

C. Copy of the release form signed and dated by the client;

D. The nature of the body art procedure performed;

E. The name of the technician performing the procedure;

F.   A copy of the consent form to perform the body art procedure on a minor with required signatures as defined in 745.10. Subd. 3., if applicable.

Subd. 9. Aftercare.   Technicians shall provide each client with printed instructions on recommended care of the body art during the healing process.

Subd. 10. Notification.   Operators and technicians shall notify the Health Department immediately of any reports they receive of a potential blood borne pathogen transmission.

Subd. 11. Industry Self-Survey and Training Responsibility.   Every licensee of a body art establishment shall arrange for and maintain a program of sanitation self-inspection conducted by the owner, operator, technician, or apprentice and approved by the Health Department.  The self-inspection program shall include written policies, appropriate forms for logging self-inspections, and evidence that routine self-inspection of all aspects of the body art establishment takes place.  Records of the body art establishment self-inspection program shall be available for review.

History:  Ord. 2002-11 adopted 03-04-03

Reference:  M.S. Section 152.01; M.S. Chapter 182; M.S. Section 609.2246 and 29 CFR 1910.1030