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Council approves ordinance allowing tattoo studios in downtown and general business districts — conditional-use amendment fails
Summary
The council adopted an ordinance permitting tattoo studios in B1 and CBD zoning after a public hearing and a failed attempt to change the allowance to a conditional use that would require additional reviews.
The Navasota City Council voted to adopt an ordinance amending the zoning code to add a definition for "tattoo studio" and to allow tattoo studios as a permitted use in the General Business (B1) and Central Business District (CBD).
Planning and Zoning had reviewed the proposed language and recommended treating tattoo studios similarly to other personal service businesses such as hair salons. Staff and planning commissioners proposed a 32-square-foot cap on signage for tattoo studios in the downtown district.
Tiffany Vivaldi, a local tattoo artist who requested the change, told council she planned to bring art and clients to downtown Navasota and to create jobs; multiple downtown business owners — including Rochelle Herr and other small-business speakers — supported the change, saying tattoo studios could drive foot traffic and help nearby businesses. Deborah Richardson and others also spoke in favor, noting that societal views on tattoos have changed and that tattoo studios are not analogous to the old stigma once attached to such shops.
During council discussion, Councilmember McPherson moved to amend the ordinance so tattoo studios would be allowed only as a conditional use (which would require Planning and Zoning and council public hearings for each business). The amendment failed for lack of a second. The main motion to approve the ordinance as written was moved by Councilmember Stevens and seconded by Councilmember Harris; council voted in favor and the ordinance passed.
What changed: the adopted ordinance (as provided in the council packet) adds a formal definition of tattoo studio, permits the use in B1 and CBD, and limits signage for such businesses to 32 square feet in the downtown area. Council discussion made clear that a permitted use would allow an applicant meeting ordinance and building-code requirements to open without a conditional-use hearing; a conditional use would have required site-specific review and possible additional conditions such as operating hours.
Council members and Planning and Zoning staff said the ordinance language was developed with legal counsel and reviewed at Planning and Zoning workshops and a January 9 use inquiry. After Planning and Zoning’s February 13 public hearing, the commission recommended approval of the permitted-use language.
The ordinance was recorded by the clerk as Ordinance 1067-25 (as read into the record).
