Evidence is presented indicating that three sulfatase activities towards UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate, nitrocatechol sulfate, and chondroitin 4-sulfate are functions of the same hen oviduct enzyme. Using chondroitin [35S]sulfate from chick embryo cartilage, it is shown that hydrolysis of ester sulfate by this enzyme is limited to 4-sulfate groups occurring in the non-reducing terminal N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate and N-acetylgalactosamine 4,6-bissulfate residues.