Model Byelaws consultation

Overview

Update 21/04/2026

Following the public consultation which ran from the 22nd May until 14th August 2025, where we received a few comments and made one minor amendment to the proposed byelaws. These were taken to full council on the 4th December 2025 for their approval to adopt.  

The final stage is for Dorset Council to advertise in a local publication for 30 days and on our website to make people aware that: 

'Dorset Council are now proposing to change the byelaws for the regulation of businesses involved in acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin-colouring, cosmetic piercing, and electrolysis. A copy of the proposed byelaws is available to inspect free of charge at County Hall or at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/piercing. If any member of the public should object to the proposed byelaw, please contact Dorset Council'.

If you have any objections, you should contact envhealth@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call 01305 221000.

Original consultation overview

There are currently several Byelaws for the regulation of businesses and practitioners who undertake skin piercing practices. Currently, we have different parts of the county following different rules. The Legacy Councils (East Dorset District Council, North Dorset District Council and Purbeck District Council) have Byelaws regulating Ear Piecing, Electrolysis, Tattooing and Acupuncture.

West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council however use newer Byelaws based on the Department of Health model, which covers ‘cosmetic piercing’ instead of ‘ear piercing’, and regulations for semi-permanent skin colouring, in addition to controls for Tattooing, Electrolysis and Acupuncture. 

Since the formation of Dorset Council, due to these differences, there is some inconsistency in how we regulate piercing premises. Therefore, we are proposing to adopt the Department of Health model Byelaws for the whole Dorset Council area, to reduce the risk of transmission of blood borne virus infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C and other infections.

The proposals would also make enforcement across Dorset Council's area consistent too. The adoption of the Byelaws under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (as amended by the Local Government Act 2003) part VIII 1982 Act would mean that in all Dorset Council areas, any breaches of the Byelaws would carry with it the possibility of criminal prosecution. It would be an offence under Section 16 (2) of the 1982 Act for any person to contravene the proposed byelaws, which upon conviction could result in a fine of up to £1,000. The Court upon conviction would also have the power to cancel any registration under the 1982 Act.

If you would like to respond in a different way (like a paper survey) or would like the proposed Byelaws in a different format, you can:

1. Request them at any Dorset Council library
2. Email envhealth@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
3. Phone 01305 221000
4. Find them in the 'Related' section at the bottom of the page

Please note, any data collected follows Dorset Council's privacy policy.