Local Body Art Ordinance Updates | Wichita Falls, TX

The Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District’s Environmental Health Division has started the ordinance review process for the Body Art ordinance. ~~We would like to invite you to participate in this short survey. The information collected will help us in our review of the body art ordinance.~~ The survey closed on October 1, 2024.

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A Note to Stakeholder's:

We want to thank you all for taking the time to provide feedback on the body art ordinance. Whether you filled out the initial survey, attended a stake holder’s meeting, or reached out to our office via email or phone we appreciate all the feedback.

After much research of how body art is regulated across the state and country and in taking your thoughts and ideas under consideration, we are happy to announce that legal has approved a draft Body Art Ordinance that will be presented to council in the near future. We feel like the draft ordinance is a nice middle ground where we were able to lessen regulations while still maintaining adequate public health protection.

Summary of changes:

-Removed duplicative definitions and sections. If the state covered it we didn't repeat it. This resulted in a reduction of most of the definitions and the language related to body art establishment/premises requirements. The new ordinance is considerably shorter than the previous version.

-Removed the local body art establishment/studio license. The state already inspects the establishments and has requirements for the physical facilities. We kept the ability to perform complaint investigations and close a facility for an imminent health hazard. Eliminating the studio license was necessary to reduce the fee burden on body art studios.

-Kept individual licensing with the test, we formalized the process of requesting reciprocity if you are from a jurisdiction that had licensing requirements. We will continue to research testing options, the test that we currently is also used by New Mexico and Virginia.

-Eliminated the tattoo apprenticeship. Opinions were wildly variable about how the apprenticeship program should be structured. Some people wanted it to be longer and more detailed and a nearly equal number wanted it shortened. Additionally when researching regulations across the country you find similar variability. Ultimately, it is up to shop owners to determine who they want to work in their facilities and the artistic training that they require.

Draft Ordinance: 2025 Draft Body Art Ordinance

Current Ordinance: Wichita Falls Ordinance Article IX. Body Art

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~~Stakeholder Meeting Information:~~

~~Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District, Clements Conference Room~~

~~1700 3^rd Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301~~

~~January 28^th, 2025 at 3:00 pm~~

~~January 30³⁰, 2025 at 10:00 am~~

~~Both meetings will cover the same information.~~

~~The meeting is one of the early steps in taking the changes to Wichita Falls City Council. We look forward to working with you through this process.~~

These stakeholder's meetings have come and passed. Thank you for attending.

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2 laws found in Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 25:

229.261: Assessment of Administrative or Civil Penalties

229.401–413: Minimum Standards for Licensure of Tattoo and Certain Body Piercing Studios

2 laws found in the Texas Health and Safety Code:

Chapter 146: Tattoo and Certain Body Piercing Studios Chapter 431: Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 29:

Part 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens: Occupational Safety and Health Standards