BODY ART ESTABLISHMENT AND MOBILE BODY ART VEHICLE LICENSES AND TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT FACILITY PERMITS

Denver Revised Municipal Code ch. 24, art. X, div. 3

in effect

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-371 License or permit required.

Sec. 24-371. - License or permit required. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of operating or managing a body art establishment or mobile body art vehicle without first obtaining a license to engage in such business from the manager of licensing and consumer protection in accordance with the provisions of this article. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, manage or work in a temporary special event body art facility, without the manager of licensing and consumer protection having first issued a valid temporary permit for the specific location; or to operate, manage, or work in said temporary facility in violation of any limitations or restrictions, if any, of the permit. (c) The following persons are exempt from the requirements of this section: (1) Any physician, where the specific body art procedure at issue is lawfully performed by said physician or under his or her personal and responsible direction and supervision. (2) Any person authorized by the State of Colorado to perform the specific body art procedure at issue. (3) Persons rendering services under the personal and responsible direction and supervision of a physician. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 14, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-372 Fees.

Sec. 24-372. - Fees. Application and license fees under this division are set forth in section 32-54.5 of this Code. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-373 Licensing and permits in general.

Sec. 24-373. - Licensing and permits in general. (a) All licenses granted pursuant to this division shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance unless revoked or suspended pursuant to this article, or chapter 32 of this Code. (b) All temporary special event body art facility permits shall be issued only for the purposes of product demonstration, industry trade shows, educational reasons, or a special event. Each permit shall list the specific date, time, and location of said event, and is not valid for any other date, time, or location. Each permit shall be valid for a period of not more than fourteen (14) consecutive days and, except for special events occurring on a public place, a period of at least ninety (90) days shall intervene between the termination of one (1) permit and the issuance of another permit for the same location. (c) A license or a special event permit shall only be issued upon verification that the establishment, mobile body art vehicle, or temporary facility meets all requirements under this Code and the rules and regulations of the manager. The licensee shall install the minimum required equipment, personnel, and other facilities as indicated in the plans as approved or modified by orders of the departments of public health and environment, building inspection division, or fire department. (d) Application for a special event body art facility permit shall be made to the manager of licensing and consumer protection not less than thirty (30) days prior to the starting date of the event. The special event permit may issue upon the manager's review and approval of plans, submitted by the applicant, for the temporary facility. The manager of licensing and consumer protection shall investigate each temporary body art permit application and either approve or deny such application within twenty (20) days of the filing of the completed application and appropriate permit fee. Approval of the public health and environment, building, fire, and zoning departments of the city shall be required for the issuance of a temporary special event body art facility permit. (e) Body art establishment and mobile body art vehicle licenses are not transferable. Any change of ownership of a body art establishment or mobile body art vehicle shall require a new application and license, payment of fees, and approval of the manager of licensing and consumer protection. However, when a license has been issued to a husband and wife, or to general or limited partners, the death of a spouse or partner shall not require the surviving spouse or partner to obtain a new license, and all rights and privileges granted under the original license shall continue in full force and effect as to such survivors until the expiration date specified on the license. For the purposes of this division, the transfer, sale, or assignment of more than ten (10) percent of the corporate stock of a corporate licensee shall be conclusively presumed to be a change of ownership. (f) No body art establishment license may be issued for a premises licensed for the sale of fermented malt beverages, or the sale of vinous or spirituous liquors, under the provisions of the Colorado Liquor Code or the Colorado Beer Code. (g) No temporary body art facility permit shall be issued for a premises licensed for the sale of fermented malt beverages, or the sale of vinous or spirituous liquors, under the provisions of the Colorado Liquor Code or the Colorado Beer Code, unless the applicant is a bona fide body art trade organization, the stated purpose for said permit is a regularly scheduled trade show, and the location of the event holds a valid hotel and restaurant class liquor license. No such permit shall be issued for the same location within ninety (90) days of a prior permit. (h) A temporary body art facility permit may be issued to a premises licensed for the sale, by the drink only, of fermented malt beverage or for the sale of, by the drink only, of malt, spirituous, or vinous liquors under a special events permit issued pursuant to the laws of the State of Colorado relating to special event permits for the sale of such beverages. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98; Ord. No. 427-18, § 14, 6-11-18; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 14, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-374 Application.

Sec. 24-374. - Application. (a) Application for a body art establishment license, mobile body art vehicle license, or temporary special event facility permit shall be made to the manager of licensing and consumer protection upon forms to be provided by the manager of licensing and consumer protection for that purpose, and the following information shall be provided: (1) Name and address of the applicant, local resident agent, and the local manager of the body art establishment, mobile body art vehicle, or temporary special event body art facility. In the event of a corporate applicant for a body art establishment license or mobile body art vehicle license, the names, addresses, and dates of birth for all such corporate officers, directors, and stockholders owning ten (10) percent or more of the corporation's stock shall also be provided. (2) Name and address of the establishment or business for which application is being made, and any trade name or assumed names being used for the establishment or business. (3) Such other information and documents as may be reasonably required by the manager of licensing and consumer protection. (b) Each applicant for a temporary special event body art facility shall provide, with the application, a list of the identity and the location, within the facility, of each individual temporary body artist to be performing body art procedures. (c) The applicant for a body art establishment license shall provide to the manager of licensing and consumer protection proof of the applicant's right of possession of the premises for which application is made and a valid zoning use permit for the intended purpose. (d) The manager of licensing and consumer protection shall take no action upon an application until such time as all required information has been received. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 14, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-375 Grounds for denial.

Sec. 24-375. - Grounds for denial. The manager of licensing and consumer protection shall refuse to approve any application under this division and no body art establishment license, mobile body art vehicle license, or temporary special event body art facility permit shall be issued where: (a) The applicant, local resident agent, or local manager is a natural person who is not at least eighteen (18) years old; (b) The character of the applicant, or in the case of a corporate applicant, its officers, members, or directors, or its local manager, in the judgment of the manager of licensing and consumer protection, is such that violations of this article would likely result, or the health, welfare, or safety of the public would otherwise be endangered, if a license were granted. In making such determination, the manager of licensing and consumer protection shall consider: (1) Penal history. All convictions, the reasons therefor, and the demeanor of the applicant subsequent to his or her release. The manager of licensing and consumer protection shall have the authority to require fingerprint checks. (2) License and permit history. The license and permit history of the applicant; whether such person, in previously operating in this or another jurisdiction under a license or permit, has had such license or permit suspended or revoked, the reason therefor, and the demeanor of the applicant subsequent to such action. No application for a body art establishment license may be considered from a person who has had any body art establishment license revoked within twelve (12) months of the new application. (3) General personal history. Such other facts relevant to the general personal history of the applicant as the manager of licensing and consumer protection shall find necessary to a fair determination of the eligibility of the applicant. (4) In making a determination as to license history or general personal history of the applicant, or considering the conviction of a crime, the manager of licensing and consumer protection shall consider whether, in fact, the applicant is of good moral character at the time of the application. The intent of this provision is to expand employment opportunities for persons who, notwithstanding the fact of conviction of an offense, have been rehabilitated and are ready to accept the responsibilities of a law-abiding and productive member of society. (c) The applicant or local manager of the establishment, vehicle, or temporary facility has been convicted of maintaining a public nuisance, pursuant to chapter 37, article II, of this Code, within the past five (5) years; or the requested location has been adjudicated as a civil public nuisance, as defined within chapter 37, article III, of this Code, within the past five (5) years. (d) If the applicant is found acceptable to the manager of licensing and consumer protection and all the provisions of chapter 32 of the Revised Municipal Code have been met, the license or permit shall be granted. If the license is denied, upon the written request of the applicant, the manager of licensing and consumer protection shall issue a written order stating the reasons supporting the denial of the license and a copy of this order shall be sent to the applicant at the applicant's last known address. Any applicant whose application has been denied and who has requested a written order of the denial of license shall be entitled to a hearing on the denial upon written request to the manager of licensing and consumer protection made within thirty (30) days of the date the order was issued. Such hearing shall be held within thirty (30) days of receipt of the written request for hearing by the manager of licensing and consumer protection. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98; Ord. No. 551-23, § 10, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 14, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-376 Inspections; corrective orders.

Sec. 24-376. - Inspections; corrective orders. (a) The manager shall conduct periodic inspections of any body art establishment, mobile body art vehicle, and temporary special event facility, for the purpose of determining whether or not the establishment, vehicle, or facility and the persons performing body art techniques therein are in compliance with all applicable ordinances contained within this article, the rules and regulations promulgated by the board, and other applicable federal, state, or municipal laws. The manager, in carrying out his or her official duties, is authorized to, but not limited to, where otherwise lawful to do so, enter, inspect, issue citations, impound or copy records, and secure any samples, photographs, or other evidence from any body art establishment, mobile body art vehicle, or temporary special event body art facility, whether or not said establishment, vehicle, or facility has a valid license or permit. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person, in any way, to willfully interfere with or hinder the manager while the manager is discharging or apparently discharging his or her duties. (c) The manager may issue orders to any body artist, owner, or local manager to comply, within a specified reasonable time, with this article and the rules and regulations of the board. It shall be unlawful for any licensee, local manager, owner, or special event permittee to knowingly fail to obey a lawful order of the manager. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-377 Temporary summary suspension; hearing.

Sec. 24-377. - Temporary summary suspension; hearing. (a) Upon the apparent inability or willful failure of any licensee to comply with lawful corrective orders of the manager, the body art establishment or mobile body art vehicle license, or any portion of the licensed premises that can be reasonably and reliably separated, isolated, and closed, may be temporarily or summarily suspended or closed, pending public proceedings by the manager of licensing and consumer protection for suspension or revocation of said license. (b) Upon the apparent inability or willful failure of any permittee to comply with lawful corrective orders of the manager, the temporary special event facility permit, or any portion of the permitted premises that can be reasonably and reliably separated, isolated, and closed, may be summarily suspended or closed. (c) The manager may reinstate the privileges of said licensee or permittee prior to any public proceeding by the manager of licensing and consumer protection, upon certification that both compliance with their previous orders and reasonable and reliable assurances of future compliance are present. (d) It shall be unlawful for any licensee, local manager, owner, or special event permit holder to knowingly fail to obey an order of the manager to close any portion of a body art establishment, mobile body art vehicle, or temporary body art facility, or for any person to knowingly operate, manage, or work in any portion of a body art establishment, mobile body art vehicle, or temporary special event facility that has been ordered closed by the manager. (e) No temporary or summary suspension of any portion of a licensed establishment premises or vehicle shall be longer than fifteen (15) days before a public show cause hearing shall be held before the manager of licensing and consumer protection for the possible revocation or suspension of said license. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 14, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-378 Revocation or suspension; notice of hearing.

Sec. 24-378. - Revocation or suspension; notice of hearing. (a) The manager of licensing and consumer protection, on his or her own motion or on complaint, after investigation and public hearing, at which the licensee shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard, may suspend, for a period up to six (6) months, or revoke any body art establishment or mobile body art vehicle license, or may revoke any temporary special event permit, if the manager of licensing and consumer protection finds that: (1) There have been violations of this article, the rules and regulations of the manager, the health statutes or regulations of the State of Colorado, or any other municipal ordinance at the licensed premises by the licensee, or by the licensee's agent, employee, servant, local manager, or by any body artist; or (2) The conduct of persons on the licensed premises, or in the licensed vehicle, is such as to either disturb or tend to disturb the peace of residents in the vicinity or passersby; or (3) The conduct of persons on the licensed premises or in the licensed vehicle, or adjacent thereto, is such as to obstruct or interfere with the public's use of any public sidewalk, street, highway or any other public right-of-way; or (4) The licensee does not possess or maintain possession of the premises for which the license has issued by ownership, lease, rental, or other arrangement for possession of such premises; or (5) The licensee has engaged in advertising which is misleading, deceptive, or false; or (6) Any of the grounds shown in chapter 32 of this Code for revocation or suspension of a license exist. (b) Notice of such hearing shall be given by mailing the same in writing to the licensee at the address of the licensee or the registered local resident agent of said licensee. (c) The manager of licensing and consumer protection may, in his or her discretion, place conditions upon any suspended license or permit, during the period of suspension, reasonably related to the rehabilitation of the licensee or the prevention of future violations of any provision of this article, the rules or regulations promulgated by the board under this article, or the laws or regulations of the State of Colorado relating to body art, health, or the practice of medicine. (d) Every licensee whose license has been suspended by the manager of licensing and consumer protection shall post two (2) notices in the most conspicuous places on the exterior and interior of the premises or vehicle for the duration of the suspension. The notices shall be two (2) feet in length and fourteen (14) inches in width, consist of black lettering on a white background, at least one (1) inch in height and appropriate width, and in the following form: NOTICE OF SUSPENSION THE LICENSE ISSUED FOR THESE PREMISES HAS BEEN SUSPENDED BY ORDER OF THE MANAGER OF LICENSING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER FOR VIOLATION OF THE DENVER REVISED MUNICIPAL CODE. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 14, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-379 Renewals.

Sec. 24-379. - Renewals. (a) Application for the renewal of an existing body art establishment license or mobile body art vehicle license shall be made to the manager of licensing and consumer protection not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date of expiration. (b) The manager of licensing and consumer protection may refuse to renew any license for good cause, subject to judicial review. (c) Good cause means the violation of any of the following provisions, requirements, or conditions: (1) The licensee has violated any terms of the provisions pertaining to the license, or any regulation or order lawfully made under and within the authority of this article; or (2) The licensee has failed to meet the requirements for the issuance of a new license pursuant to this article; or (3) The licensee has failed to maintain the premises in compliance with the requirements of the department or other municipal agencies. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 14, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-380 Records.

Sec. 24-380. - Records. Permanent records for each body artist and client shall be maintained by the licensee of a body art establishment or mobile body art vehicle, and the temporary permittee of a temporary special event body art facility, in compliance with the rules and regulations of the board. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-381 Registration of local resident agent required.

Sec. 24-381. - Registration of local resident agent required. It shall be unlawful for any person to own or operate a body art establishment, mobile body art vehicle, or temporary special event body art facility, unless they have filed a current registration statement with the department of licensing and consumer protection, designating an authorized local resident agent, who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age, who resides or has an office within the City and County of Denver, for receipt of legal notices of violations and receiving service of process for violations of this Code. Whenever such local resident agent is changed, or the address of the local resident agent is changed, such owner or local manager shall, within five (5) days, register the name and address of the new local resident agent or the new address of the local resident agent with the manager of licensing and consumer protection. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 14, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 24-382 Existing licenses.

Sec. 24-382. - Existing licenses. Establishments licensed as tattoo establishments, under chapter 52 of this Code, as of the effective date of this article, shall be allowed to pay a five-dollar fee to convert an existing tattoo establishment license to a body art establishment license, upon submitting verification of compliance with this article, no later than thirty (30) days after the effective date of this article. Such converted body art establishment licenses shall be valid only until such date as the tattoo establishment license was scheduled to expire. (Ord. No. 886-98, § 1, 12-14-98)

Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH24HESA_ARTXBOAR_DIV3BOARESMOBOARVELITESPEVFAPEFetched: 10/27/2026