Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff asks council to clarify zoning classification for tattooing and permanent makeup
Summary
Planning staff recommended city council direct code amendments to treat tattooing and cosmetic pigmentation consistently with state law and remove discretionary use permits to reduce enforcement confusion and support businesses.
City planning staff presented a zoning clarification on Aug. 28 asking the council to direct code amendments addressing how tattooing, permanent makeup and related cosmetic pigmentation services are classified in the municipal code.
Assistant planner Kylie Cope told commissioners that state law groups these activities under tattooing but the city code currently treats them inconsistently and lacks a clear definition for newer services such as micro‑pigmentation. Staff presented three options: treat all pavement‑based tattoo and pigmentation services the same and let council decide whether to categorize them as low or moderate impact; leave the code unchanged; or create a distinct, lower‑impact category for cosmetic pigmentation services.
Staff recommended option 1 — aligning zoning classifications with state law for consistency and easier enforcement — and proposed removing a discretionary use permit requirement for both tattoo parlors and permanent‑makeup services after consultation with code enforcement and the police department. Staff said there were no enforcement incidents connected to tattoo or permanent‑makeup businesses that warranted continued discretionary review.
If city council provides direction, staff said it will draft ordinance language for subsequent planning commission review and then return to council for enactment. Staff expects a two‑meeting process and estimated the earliest adoption would be in the fall after planning commission review.
