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Residents ask Craig County to investigate home-based tattoo business over zoning and medical-waste concerns
Summary
A Craig Woods resident and others told the board that a tattoo business is operating as a home occupation; speakers cited state tattooing regulations and DEQ medical-waste rules and asked county staff to investigate disposal and zoning compliance.
At the July 11 meeting, Stephen Edwards of Craig Woods told the Board of Supervisors that a tattoo business operating in his subdivision appears to be functioning as a home occupation and may be violating state health and zoning rules. Edwards cited the Virginia Board of Cosmetology and related DPOR language requiring tattoo parlors to be in permanent buildings and to meet facility and disposal standards.
Edwards said the artist had earlier rescinded a home-occupation request on April 24 but that social-media postings showed the business continuing; he asked the county to close the operation if it is noncompliant. “Where are the byproducts of the tattooing and the tattoo artist being disposed of, containing the blood borne pathogens and sharps?” Edwards asked.
Susan Edwards, who cited Virginia’s Regulated Medical Waste regulations (9 VAC 20-121), told the board that contaminated sharps and unabsorbed human blood or body fluids from tattoo establishments are enumerated in state guidance and that regulated generators must document disposal practices and retain records. She recommended the board or county administration consult DEQ and the state licensing office for enforcement or guidance.
The speaker said the tattooer had posted a notice claiming the parlor was closed, but social-media images suggested ongoing services. The board did not take enforcement action during the meeting; several residents asked county staff to investigate zoning compliance, waste handling, and whether the activity is permitted as a home occupation under local rules.
What’s next: residents requested that county staff verify the operator’s DPOR licensing, confirm disposal practices for regulated medical waste, and check whether the activity complies with local home-occupation rules. No board direction or enforcement decision was recorded at the meeting.
