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3.1 Body art work stations

3.1.1 There shall be a minimum of one hundred (100) square feet of floor space provided for each tattoo operator in the establishment.

3.1.2 Each body art work station shall have a tattoo area that can be screened from the public to provide privacy and/or a private cubicle available.

3.2 Floors

3.2.1 All floors found in the tattoo area or restroom shall be made of a smooth, durable, nonabsorbent, nonporous material that is easily cleanable and can be maintained in a sanitary manner at all times.

3.2.2 Carpet is prohibited in the tattoo and restroom areas.

3.2.3 Every other floor and every floor covering not present in a tattoo area or restroom, such as lobby carpeting, must be kept clean and in good repair, sanitized or replaced so that it will not become a hazard to safety or health.

3.2.4 Every concrete, tile, ceramic and vinyl floor installed in the tattoo area or restroom must be coved at the junctures between the floor and the walls. All material used to cove the junctures must be fitted snugly to the floor and the walls so there are no openings large enough to permit the entrance of vermin.

3.3 Walls, ceilings, and closures

3.3.1 All environmental surfaces, including walls, ceilings less than eight feet in height, and closures found in the tattoo area or restroom shall be made of a smooth, durable, nonabsorbent and nonporous material that is easily cleanable and can be maintained in a sanitary manner at all times.

3.3.2 All walls, ceilings, doors, windows, skylights, other closures, fixtures, and decorative material must be kept clean and in good repair.

3.3.3 The materials used in constructing the walls and ceilings must be joined along the edges so there are no open spaces or cracks.

3.3.4 Studs, joists, rafters, and beams must not be left exposed in tattoo areas or restrooms. If left exposed in other areas, these structural members must be suitably finished and kept clean and in good repair.

3.4 Tattoo tables and chairs

Tables, chairs, cushions or any similar items used to provide tattoo services shall be constructed with smooth, durable, and easily cleanable material.

3.5 General furniture

All furniture that is not used in performing a tattoo procedure, such as chairs provided for lobby area seating must be cleanable, kept in good repair, and maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

3.6 Lighting

3.6.1 An artificial light source that gives off at least twenty (20) foot candles ambient light measured at thirty (30) inches above floor level must be provided at all times.

3.6.2 At least fifty (50) foot candles of light shall be provided at the level where the tattoo is being performed.

3.7 Smoke alarms

Each distinct area of the tattoo establishment must be equipped with at least one working smoke alarm that is installed, maintained, and tested according to existing fire codes.

3.8 Heating and ventilation systems

3.8.1 Each system for heating, cooling, or ventilation must be properly maintained and operational at all times.

3.8.2 The establishment shall have mechanical heating and air conditioning equipment sufficient to maintain the facility at a temperature of 68°F to 82°F.

3.8.3 Ventilation equipment must be able to prevent moisture accumulation on environmental surfaces.

3.9 Hand sinks and restrooms

3.9.1 Hand sinks with hot and cold running water shall be located in each tattoo area/body art work station. Hand sinks must be supplied with liquid soap and disposable paper towels, both in dispensers.

3.9.2 Restrooms with hand sinks shall be provided. All restrooms must be supplied with liquid soap, disposable paper towels, and a supply of toilet paper. All supplies must be in dispensers.

3.9.3 Adequate covered solid waste containers shall be provided in each work station and restroom for disposal of debris and trash. These containers shall be easily cleanable, kept clean, and be emptied daily.

3.10 Water supply

3.10.1 The potable water supply for each tattoo establishment must be from a source approved by the State of Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water and must meet all Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 445A requirements.

3.10.2 Each tattoo establishment must be supplied with or have available a hot and cold potable water supply that meets all sanitary purposes.

3.11 Plumbing

3.11.1 The potable water system must be installed and maintained in such a manner that there is no cross connection between it and any other system.

3.11.2 If a device used to prevent backflow or back siphonage is necessary, it must be installed on a potable water system in compliance with the standards for construction, installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing outlined in the most current Plumbing Code adopted by the agency of jurisdiction.

3.11.3 The written results of annual backflow prevention device testing must be made available at the tattoo establishment for Health Authority review.

3.12 Water damage evaluation

3.12.1 Whenever evidence of significant water/moisture intrusion from any source is found within or on the walls, ceilings, attic spaces, crawl spaces, floors, carpeted surfaces, ventilation ducts, insulation, or other materials or areas which may promote the growth of mold, the source of the water or moisture must be identified and stopped to prevent or reduce mold growth.

3.12.2 Whenever a need arises to conduct a large-scale mold remediation affecting more than 1,000 square feet within a tattoo establishment, the Health Authority must be notified in writing of actions taken.

3.13 Solid waste disposal

3.13.1 Each tattoo establishment must have solid waste containers of sufficient number and size to store all the solid waste in a manner that does not exceed the waste containers’ capacities until the solid waste is removed. Tattoo establishments may use common solid waste dumpsters when the tattoo establishment is incorporated within a mall or other multi-business facility.

3.13.2 If the solid waste is not being removed in a manner that prevents a public health nuisance or danger, the Health Authority shall direct the responsible person at the tattoo establishment to increase their solid waste container capacity and/or increase the frequency of scheduled pickups until adequate removal of the solid waste is achieved.

3.13.3 The solid waste containers must be:

3.13.3.1 Kept at locations approved by the Health Authority.

3.13.3.2 Emptied at least twice weekly. The frequency of solid waste removal must be at an interval which prevents putrescible waste from becoming a nuisance even if such frequency is more often than twice weekly.

3.13.3.3 Kept covered and closed with a tight fitting lid at all times except when being filled, emptied, or cleaned, unless the equipment is specifically designed to be operated as an open dumpster or trash compactor.

3.13.3.4 Kept clean. Facilities for washing them must be provided and operated in a sanitary manner or appropriate contracts with a solid waste disposal company must be in place to clean and/or replace waste containers that become excessively dirty.

3.14 Sewage disposal

3.14.1 All sewage carried by water must be disposed of by means of public sewerage or by a system for disposal such as an ISDS, which is approved by the Health Authority.

3.14.2 If the tattoo establishment intends to discharge its sewage to an ISDS, the facility must submit plans for review and approval and obtain a permit for the ISDS from the Health Authority for that purpose.

3.14.3 Any sewage discharge, sewer pipe leaks, spills, or backflow onto the ground must be stopped and/or contained within four (4) hours or the facility may be subject to closure by the Health Authority.

3.14.4 All sewage spills must be remediated in a manner that eliminates potential disease transmission, offensive odors, sewage solids, and sewage litter.

3.15 Outdoor areas

All outdoor areas including, but not limited to, parking areas, walkways, landscaped areas, storage areas, and undeveloped grounds must have sufficient drainage to prevent water from collecting and stagnating in pools, and must be kept clean and free of any health hazards.

3.16 Sharp objects used in tattoo procedures

A sealable, rigid (puncture-proof) sharps container that is strong enough to protect the tattoo operator, patrons and others from accidental cuts or puncture wounds must be provided for disposal of sharp objects that come in contact with blood and/or body fluids. The sharps container must be properly labeled with the international biohazard symbol. (See examples of biohazard symbols in Appendix D.)

3.17 Service animals

3.17.1 Service animals are permitted in a tattoo establishment; however, no service animal may be allowed to create a nuisance.

3.17.2 Animal wastes must be cleaned up immediately.

3.17.3 No other animals of any kind shall be allowed except fish in aquariums.