Personal Services Settings (Salons, Tattoos and Piercings)

A personal service setting is a premises at which personal services are offered and there is a risk of exposure to blood or body fluids. Services include hairdressing, barbering, tattooing, body piercing, doing nails, and electrolysis and other aesthetic services.

Public health inspectors inspect all personal service establishments at least once a year and they investigate all public complaints. 

As the owner and/or operator of a beauty salon, tattoo studio or other personal service establishment, you must follow the requirements of Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 136/18: Personal Service Settings

This regulation sets public health and safety requirements for personal service settings, including places offering hairdressing, tattooing, body piercing, nail services, electrolysis and similar aesthetic services. It outlines operator responsibilities, inspection posting, hygiene standards, prohibited services (such as ear candling, fish pedicures, and scleral tattooing), equipment maintenance, record keeping, and client information requirements.

Once your business has been inspected by a public health inspector, you will receive a Check What We Inspect decal. You must place a decal at every public entrance to your business.

Operators are encouraged to review the tools and resources below to ensure you are providing services in the safest and cleanest way.

Renovating, opening or adding new services

As per Section 3 of O. Reg. 136/18, you must notify Huron Perth Public Health of your intent at least 14 days before

  • Opening a personal service setting; 
  • Offering additional services at a personal service setting; or 
  • Starting construction or renovation of a personal service setting.
If you are planning to own or operate a personal service setting, please review the Personal Service Setting Pre-Opening Checklist to ensure you are able to meet the requirements of O. Reg. 136/18. After completing the checklist, you may submit the Notice of Personal Service Setting Operation Form (linked below). 

Tools and resources

Guide to Infection Prevention and Control in Personal Service Settings | Public Health Ontario. Information on how to prevent and reduce the risk of infections when providing personal services.