District of Columbia Administrative Code

316 RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS ─ REPORTS OF INFECTION OR ALLERGIC REACTIONS 316.1 Operators shall maintain a document called a “Report of Infection or Allergic Reactions” that details infections and allergic reactions reported to the body artist or the body art establishment by a…

401 PHYSICAL STRUCTURE ─ FLOOR AND WALL JUNCTURES, COVERED, AND ENCLOSED OR SEALED 401.1 Exterior floor and wall junctures shall be covered and closed to no larger than one millimeter (1 mm.) or one thirty-second of an inch (1/32 in.). 401.2 Covering of floor and wall junctures s…

402 PHYSICAL STRUCTURE ─ FLOORS, WALLS, CEILINGS, AND UTILITY LINES 402.1 All procedure areas and instrument cleaning areas shall have floors, walls and ceilings constructed of smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable material. Outer openings shall provide protection against con…

403 OPERATING SYSTEMS AND DESIGN ─ PLUMBING SYSTEM, DESIGN, WATER CAPACITY, QUANTITY, AND AVAILABILITY* 403.1 Each body art establishment’s plumbing system shall be designed, constructed, installed, and maintained according to the International Plumbing Code (2012 edition), Subti…

404 OPERATING SYSTEMS AND DESIGN ─ HANDWASHING SINKS, WATER TEMPERATURE, AND FLOW 404.1 All handwashing sinks, including those in toilet rooms, shall be equipped to provide water at a temperature of at least one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (100 °F) (thirty-eight degrees Celsius (3…

405 OPERATING SYSTEMS AND DESIGN ─ TOILETS AND URINALS, NUMBER, CAPACITY, CONVENIENCE AND ACCESSIBILITY, ENCLOSURES, AND PROHIBITION* 405.1 Toilet facilities shall be provided in accordance with the International Plumbing Code (2012 edition), Subtitle F (Plumbing Code Supplement …

406 OPERATING SYSTEMS AND DESIGN ─ ELECTRICAL, LIGHTING* 406.1 All rooms of a body art establishment shall have at least one (1) electrical source of light. Lighting luminaries and fixtures may be of incandescent, fluorescent, high density discharge, or light emitting dial (LED) …

407 OPERATING SYSTEMS AND DESIGN ─ ELECTRICAL, SMOKE ALARMS 407.1 Each distinct area of a body art establishment separated by a doorway, whether or not a door is currently present, shall be equipped with at least one (1) working smoke alarm which is installed, maintained, and tes…

408 OPERATING SYSTEMS AND DESIGN ─ HEATING AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS 408.1 All restrooms, locker rooms, and toilet rooms shall be adequately ventilated so that excessive moisture is removed from the room. Acceptable ventilation includes mechanical exhaust ventilation, a recirculati…

500 FACILITY MAINTENANCE ─ TOILETS AND URINALS, MAINTENANCE* 500.1 Each body art establishment’s plumbing system shall be: (a) Repaired according to the International Plumbing Code (2012 edition), Subtitle F (Plumbing Code Supplement of 2013) of Title 12 of the District of Columb…

501 FACILITY MAINTENANCE ─ HANDWASHING SINKS, CLEANSER AVAILABILITY, HAND DRYING PROVISION, AND HANDWASHING SIGNAGE 501.1 There shall be at least one (1) handwashing sink in a body art establishment. 501.2 Each handwashing sink or group of two (2) adjacent sinks shall be provided…

502 FACILITY MAINTENANCE ─ HANDWASHING SINKS, DISPOSABLE TOWELS, AND WASTE RECEPTACLES 502.1 A handwashing sink or group of adjacent sinks that is supplied with disposable towels or suitable drying devices shall be provided with a waste receptacle. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking publis…

503 FACILITY MAINTENANCE ─ FLOOR COVERING, RESTRICTIONS, INSTALLATION, CLEANABILITY 503.1 A floor covering such as carpeting or similar material shall not be installed as a floor covering in toilet room areas where handwashing sinks, toilets, or urinals are located; refuse storag…

504 FACILITY MAINTENANCE ─ FLOORS, PUBLIC AREAS 504.1 The physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair and cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. 504.2 Every floor and floor covering shall be kept clean and in good repair, sanitized, or replaced so that it do…

505 FACILITY MAINTENANCE ─ CLEANABILITY, SANITIZATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PLUMBING FIXTURES 505.1 Plumbing fixtures such as handwashing sinks, toilets, and urinals shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean and well-maintained. 505.2 All body art establishments shal…

506 FACILITY MAINTENANCE ─ REFUSE, REMOVAL FREQUENCY 506.1 An inside storage room or area, outside storage area or enclosure, and receptacles shall be of sufficient capacity to hold the refuse that accumulate. 506.2 Refuse, excluding biohazardous waste, shall be placed in a lined…

507 FACILITY MAINTENANCE ─ UNNECESSARY ITEMS, LITTER, AND CONTROLLING AND REMOVING PESTS 507.1 The grounds surrounding a body art establishment under the control of the operator shall be kept in a clean and litter-free condition. 507.2 The methods for adequate maintenance of grou…

508 FACILITY MAINTENANCE ─ PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS 508.1 The operator shall maintain a copy of the body art establishment’s professional service contract and service schedule, which documents the following information: (a) Name and address of its D.C. licensed pest extermi…

509 FACILITY MAINTENANCE ─ PROHIBITING ANIMALS* 509.1 With the exception of service animals, animals shall not be allowed in the body art procedure areas, decontamination or sterilization areas, or storage areas. 509.2 Fish aquariums are not allowed in procedure areas. SOURCE: Fi…

600 LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENTS 600.1 No person shall operate a body art establishment in the District without a valid body art establishment license issued by the Mayor. 600.2 No operator shall employ or permit a body artist to perform body art procedures i…

601 APPLICATION PROCEDURE ─ PERIOD AND FORM OF SUBMISSION, PROCESSING 601.1 An applicant shall submit an application for a license at least thirty (30) calendar days before the date planned for opening a body art establishment or at least thirty (30) calendar days before the expi…

602 APPLICATION PROCEDURE ─ CONTENTS OF THE APPLICATION PACKET 602.1 An application for a license to operate a body art establishment shall include the full name(s) or any other name(s), including alias used by the applicant, and the following information: (a) The present address…

603 DENIAL OF APPLICATION FOR LICENSE ─ NOTICE 603.1 If an application for a license or a renewal of a license is denied, the Department shall provide the applicant with written notice that includes: (a) The specific reasons and legal authority for denial of the license; (b) The …

604 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE ─ NEW, CONVERTED OR REMODELED, EXISTING OPERATIONS, AND CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP OR LOCATION 604.1 Each applicant shall submit: (a) A properly completed application packet provided by the Department; (b) Copies of policies and procedures as specified in Section…

605 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE ─ REQUIRED PLAN REVIEWS AND APPROVALS 605.1 An applicant or operator shall submit to the Department for review and approval properly prepared plans and specifications before: (a) The construction of a body art establishment; (b) The conversion of an existi…

605 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE ─ REQUIRED PLAN REVIEWS AND APPROVALS 605.1 An applicant or operator shall submit to the Department for review and approval properly prepared plans and specifications before: (a) The construction of a body art establishment; (b) The conversion of an existi…

607 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE – NOTICE OF OPENING, DISCONTINUANCE OF OPERATION, AND POSTINGS 607.1 An operator shall provide notice to the Department of its intent to operate the establishment at least thirty (30) calendar days before beginning operations. 607.2 An operator shall provi…

608 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE – NOT TRANSFERABLE 608.1 A body art establishment license shall not be transferred from one person to another person or from one location to another. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 64 DCR 13496 (December 29, 2017). District of Columbia Municipal Reg…

609 ISSUANCE OF LICENSE – DUPLICATES 609.1 An operator shall submit a request for a duplicate body art establishment license that has been lost, destroyed or mutilated on a form provided by the Department and payment of the required fee. 609.2 Each duplicate license shall have a …

610 CONDITIONS OF LICENSE RETENTION ─ RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OPERATOR 610.1 Upon receipt of a license issued by the Department, the operator, in order to retain the license, shall comply with Subsections 610.2 through 610.8. 610.2 An operator shall post a current inspection repo…

700 ACCESS & INSPECTION FREQUENCY ─ DEPARTMENT RIGHT OF ENTRY, DENIAL - MISDEMEANOR* 700.1 The Department shall determine a body art establishment’s compliance with these regulations by conducting on-site: (a) Preoperational inspections; (b) Unannounced, routine and follow-up ins…

701 REPORT OF FINDINGS ─ DOCUMENTING INFORMATION AND OBSERVATIONS 701.1 The Department shall document on an inspection report form: (a) Administrative information about the body art establishment’s legal identity, street and mailing addresses, inspection date, and other informati…

702 REPORT OF FINDINGS ─ SPECIFYING TIME FRAME FOR CORRECTIONS 702.1 The Department shall specify on the inspection report the time frame for correction of violations as specified in Sections 709 and 711. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 64 DCR 13496 (December 29, 2017). Dis…

703 REPORT OF FINDINGS ─ ISSUING REPORT AND OBTAINING ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT 703.1 At the conclusion of the inspection, the Department shall provide a copy of the completed inspection report and the notice to correct violations to the operator and request a signed acknowledgme…

704 REPORT OF FINDINGS ─ REFUSAL TO SIGN ACKNOWLEDGMENT 704.1 The Department shall inform a person who declines to sign an acknowledgment of receipt of inspection findings that: (a) An acknowledgment of receipt is not an agreement with the finding; (b) Refusal to sign an acknowle…

705 REPORT OF FINDINGS ─ PUBLIC INFORMATION, RECORDS RETENTION 705.1 The Department shall keep and maintain in-office as an active record a copy of each inspection report, complaint, inspector’s sample reports, license suspension, and other correspondence regarding a body art est…

706 IMMINENT HEALTH HAZARD ─ CEASING OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY REPORTING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH* 706.1 The Department shall summarily suspend operations, or an operator shall immediately discontinue operations and notify the Department, whenever a body art establishment is op…

707 IMMINENT HEALTH HAZARD ─ RESUMPTION OF OPERATIONS 707.1 If operations are discontinued as specified in Section 706 or otherwise according to applicable D.C. laws and regulations, the operator shall obtain approval from the Department before resuming operations. 707.2 The Depa…

708 PROHIBITED CONDUCT ─ ADVERTISEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES 708.1 No operator shall permit a person to perform or offer to perform body art procedures, use any words or letters, figures, titles, signs, cards, advertisement, or any other symbols or devices indicating or tending to indi…

709 CRITICAL VIOLATIONS ─ TIME FRAME FOR CORRECTION* 709.1 An operator shall, at the time of inspection, correct a critical violation no later than five (5) business days after the inspection. 709.2 The Department may consider the nature of the potential hazard involved and the c…

710 CRITICAL VIOLATION ─ VERIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION OF CORRECTION 710.1 After receiving notification that the operator has corrected a critical violation, the Department shall verify correction of the violation, document the information on an inspection report, and enter the …

711 NONCRITICAL VIOLATIONS ─ TIME FRAME FOR CORRECTION 711.1 The operator shall correct noncritical violations no later than fourteen (14) business days after the inspection. 711.2 The Department may consider the nature of the violation and the corrective action needed and agree …

712 REQUEST FOR REINSPECTION 712.1 If a license is summarily suspended pursuant to Section 807 or suspended or revoked pursuant to Section 812 because of violations of these regulations, the operator shall submit a handwritten, email, or fax request for a reinspection and pay the…

800 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW ─ CONDITIONS WARRANTING REMEDIES 800.1 The Department may seek an administrative or judicial remedy to achieve compliance with the provisions of these regulations if an operator, person operating a body art establishment, or employee: (a) Fails to have a…

800 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW ─ CONDITIONS WARRANTING REMEDIES 800.1 The Department may seek an administrative or judicial remedy to achieve compliance with the provisions of these regulations if an operator, person operating a body art establishment, or employee: (a) Fails to have a…

802 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW ─ CONDEMNATION ORDER, JUSTIFYING CONDITIONS AND REMOVAL OF EQUIPMENT, WATER, INKS, PIGMENTS, REUSABLE INSTRUMENTS, DISPOSABLE ITEMS, JEWELRY, SHARPS, MARKING INSTRUMENTS AND STENCILS, AND FURNISHINGS 802.1 A duly authorized agent of the Department may co…

803 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW ─ CONDEMNATION ORDER, CONTENTS 803.1 The condemnation order shall: (a) State that the equipment, water, inks, pigments, reusable instruments, disposable items, jewelry, sharps, marking instruments and stencils, and furnishings subject to the order may no…

804 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW ─ CONDEMNATION ORDER, OFFICIAL TAGGING OR MARKING OF EQUIPMENT, WATER, INKS, PIGMENTS, REUSABLE INSTRUMENTS, DISPOSABLE ITEMS, JEWELRY, SHARPS, MARKING INSTRUMENTS AND STENCILS, AND FURNISHINGS 804.1 The Department shall place a tag, label, or other appr…

805 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW ─ CONDEMNATION ORDER, REMOVING THE OFFICIAL TAG OR MARKING 805.1 No person shall remove the tag, label, or other appropriate marking except under the direction of the Department as specified in Subsection 805.2. 805.2 The Department shall issue a notice …

806 ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW ─ CONDEMNATION ORDER, WARNING OR INFORMAL CONFERENCE NOT REQUIRED 806.1 The Department may issue a condemnation order to an operator, or to a person who owns or controls the equipment, water, inks, pigments, reusable instruments, disposable items, jewelr…