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Regulated Businesses

Body art includes tattoo and body piercing facilities (businesses that pierce only earlobes are exempt) as well as establishments that offer permanent makeup. The health department conducts unscheduled inspections of these facilities and investigates complaints reported to us.

We also regulate temporary body art establishments, such as booths at tattoo conventions. Please contact us if you are planning to host a tattoo convention or have questions about applying for a temporary body art establishment permit.

Cosmetology includes hair salons, barbershops, esthetician spas, and nail salons.

The health department does not license individual practitioners in these industries (the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) does), but we confirm appropriate DOPL licensure and regulate the physical space and business establishments where these individuals work. We conduct unscheduled inspections of these facilities and investigates complaints reported to us by the public.

Note that we require cosmetology establishments to have backflow protection for plumbing fixtures that can result in cross connections. These fixtures include shampoo bowls, which are typically protected with ASSE 1001 atmospheric vacuum breakers, and pedicure basins, which are typically protected with ASSE 1020 pressure vacuum breakers.

Facilities must also comply with all applicable state and city plumbing requirements and the water purveyor has ultimate approval authority.

Utah Division of Professional Licensing

Utah State Cosmetology Regulation

Lodging facilities include hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and inns. We conduct unscheduled inspections of these facilities and investigate complaints reported to us by the public.

Lodging facilities need additional health department permits if they offer food service and/or have a swimming pool or hot tub/spa.

The health department does not license individual massage practitioners (the Utah Division of Professional Licensing does), but we confirm appropriate DOPL licensure and regulate the physical space and business establishments where these individuals work.

We conduct unscheudled inspections of these facilities and investigates complaints reported to us by the public.

Utah Division of Professional Licensing

The health department regulates tanning salons and individual tanning beds in Salt Lake County, including enforcement of youth tanning limitations and parental consent laws, and requires tanning operators to be certified by us.

We conduct unscheduled inspections of these facilities and investigate complaints reported to us by the public.

Indoor tanning (using a tanning bed, booth, sunbed, or sunlamp to darken the skin) exposes you to high levels of UV rays. Over time, too much exposure to UV rays can cause skin cancers, eye cancers, and cataracts.

A suntan does not indicate good health. When UV rays reach the skin's inner layer, the skin makes more melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. It moves toward the outer layers of the skin and becomes visible as a tan. Any change in skin color after UV exposure (whether it is a tan or a burn) is a sign of injury, not health.

Indoor tanning:

  • Exposes users to intense levels of UV rays, a known cause of cancer.
  • Does not protect against sunburns. A "base tan" is actually a sign of skin damage.
  • Can lead to serious injury. Indoor tanning accidents and burns send more than 3,000 people to the emergency room each year.
Apply for Tanning Operator Certification

Other Health Department Permits

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Food Service

Restaurants, food trucks/trailers/carts
A person swimming in the water.

Swimming Pools

In gyms, health clubs, etc.
A car with a red light.

Vehicle Emissions Stations
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Waste Hauling, Processing, and Recycling
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Explore All Health Department Permits

Health Improvement Education & Training

The Salt Lake County Health Department provides education and assistance to various businesses and industries that are looking to improve the health of their employees or the local community.

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Nutrition at Childcare Facilities
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Workplace Tobacco Policies
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Workplace Vaccinations

Salt Lake County Health Department

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Our mission at the Salt Lake County Health Department is to promote and protect the health of our community and environment. We work tirelessly every day to prevent illness, injury, and disease while addressing social, economic, and environmental factors that impact overall health. Our efforts include immunizing children, inspecting restaurants, preventing tobacco access to minors, encouraging physical activity and proper nutrition, protecting our water and air, providing culturally appropriate services, and collaborating with our community partners to ensure public health works for all residents of Salt Lake County, regardless of where they live.

Salt Lake County Health Department