City of Troy, NY Chapter 255 Tattoo Parlors.

[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Troy 3-2-1995 (Art. V of Ch. 15 of the 1973 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 255-1 Findings; purpose.

The City of Troy hereby finds and declares the need to protect its people through greater supervision of tattooing and tattoo businesses. The City recognizes that the threat of AIDS/HIV and hepatitis contamination through shared tattoo needles and other aspects of the tattoo process has the potential for negatively affecting the health and safety of the general public. The City also recognizes that there has been an alarming expansion of the tattoo business into the criminal activity of tattooing minors. The City realizes its obligation to protect the health and safety of its people and hereby regulates the tattoo industry.

§ 255-2 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following words shall have the meanings set forth in this section:

MINOR

Any person under the age of 18 years.

TATTOO

To mark or color the skin by pricking or coloring matter so as to form indelible marks or figures or by the production of scars.

TATTOO SHOP

Any room or space where tattooing is practiced or where the business of tattooing is conducted or any part thereof.

§ 255-3 Minors.

No person shall tattoo a minor in the City of Troy.

§ 255-4 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor’s Note: Former § 255-4, Registration required, was repealed 7-12-2018 by Ord. No. 43.

§ 255-5 Customer register.

A. Any person engaged in the business of tattooing shall maintain a register of customers, including the following information:

(1) The name, address and age of the customer. If it would reasonably appear that the customer may be under the age of 21, then affirmative proof of age must be provided by the customer and the manner and proof of identity and age of the customer shall be recorded in the register.

(2) A description of the tattoo and location on the body.

(3) A statement signed by the customer acknowledging that he/she may be temporarily prohibited from donating blood under applicable rules and regulations of the American Red Cross or other regulatory agencies.

B. The information contained in Subsections A(1) and (3) should be recorded in the customer register prior to the commencement of the tattoo procedure or any preparation therefor.

§ 255-6 Inspection of register.

The Chief of Police or his/her designee shall have the power to inspect the customer register immediately upon request.

§ 255-7 Signs prohibiting minors.

Any person engaged in the business of tattooing shall conspicuously post a sign in the tattoo shop stating that tattooing a person under the age of 18 is prohibited by law.

§ 255-8 Revocation of registration.

A. The Chief of Police or his/her designee shall have the power to suspend or revoke the registration under this article for any person convicted of a violation of this article.

B. There shall be a mandatory revocation of the registration under this article for any person convicted of violating § 255-3 of this chapter.

§ 255-9 Compliance with other regulations.

Any tattoo shop operating in the City shall comply with any and all regulations of the state or county health department.

§ 255-10 Penalties for offenses.

Any violation of section 15-51 or section 15-52 of this article shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1000.00, imprisonment of not more than 15 days, or both. Any violation of any other provision of this article shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250.00.