Council directs staff to draft zoning clarifications for tattooing, permanent makeup and micropigmentation

The Oroville City Council on Sept. 2 directed staff to draft a zoning code amendment clarifying how tattooing, permanent makeup, micropigmentation and related pigment services should be classified for land‑use permitting.

Planning staff told the council that state law groups these activities under tattooing but local impacts vary by scale. "Staff recommends option 1 and supports classifying these services as low impact," the staff presentation said. Staff described three zoning options: (1) treat all pigment‑based services the same (staff recommended low impact), (2) leave the code unchanged, or (3) create a separate category for cosmetic pigmentation. Staff said no ordinance was being proposed that night; the council’s direction would allow staff to prepare text for Planning Commission review and future hearings.

Council members generally supported staff’s recommendation. Councilman Johnstone said he saw differences in scale between full tattoo parlors and cosmetic microblading but acknowledged state licensing treats them similarly. Vice Mayor Smith said he supported option 1 and that views about tattoos had changed over time. Councilman Weber and others also voiced support for the staff recommendation.

Several public commenters who operate or represent local pigmentation businesses urged the council to reduce regulatory barriers. Cheyenne Velasquez, owner of Evolution Studio downtown, said she already holds a state permit covering cosmetic tattoos and described her business as "primarily appointment only and low impact," asking the council to "recognize my existing permit and avoid unnecessary cost for small business owners." Natalie Sheard, speaking as a local business advocate, urged the council to allow these services in office-type spaces to help fill underused storefronts.

Staff and council emphasized the change would be a land‑use classification, not a change to state health and safety licensing. The city attorney reminded the council that public‑health regulation is handled by the state and that the planning decision before the council concerns local land‑use impacts and compatibility with neighboring businesses.

Ending: Staff will draft the zoning text amendments, include code cleanup language to remove internal inconsistencies, circulate the draft for public notice and send it to the Planning Commission prior to returning to the council for decision.