Commission asks staff to draft municipal‑code change to classify micropigmentation and small‑scale tattoos as low‑impact personal services

The Oroville Planning Commission on July 24 directed staff to prepare a municipal‑code amendment to classify micropigmentation (precision pigmentation/permanent makeup) and small‑scale micro tattoos that use the same equipment as permanent‑makeup artists as "personal services: low impact." The commission voted unanimously to recommend the change and asked staff to return proposed ordinance language to the City Council for the required public‑hearing and ordinance process.

Vice Chair Sheard, speaking as a member of the Business Advocacy Committee, said the committee was formed to recommend ways to streamline permit processes and reduce onerous use permits for businesses. Sheard and other committee members presented recommendations and emphasized that many business owners find the current code and permitting process confusing, costly and time‑consuming. Sheard described the intent as preserving the character of neighborhoods while removing unnecessary barriers for uses that “tend to create minimal adverse effects for their surroundings.”

During the public hearing, Cheyenne Velasquez, owner of Illusion Studio downtown, asked the commission to reclassify micropigmentation and precision pigmentation services with permanent‑makeup services, saying the procedures use identical tools, techniques and health protocols and are low‑impact, appointment‑only services that support downtown businesses. "These services are no longer associated with high traffic or disruptive business models and cities across California are moving away from the outdated perceptions that group these practices with so‑called ill‑repute uses," Velasquez said.

Staff noted that some jurisdictions require use permits for tattoo parlors, regulate concentration and spacing of body‑art businesses, and that environmental‑health licensing is a separate requirement. Staff also suggested an alternative of creating a lower‑fee or expedited use‑permit category for specific small‑scale uses rather than eliminating the permit entirely. Commissioners discussed distinctions between traditional tattoo parlors and salon‑based permanent‑makeup services, the technical overlap in equipment and techniques, and whether the city should rely on spatial controls or licensing to avoid concentration of body‑art uses.

The commission made a motion directing staff to draft code language to add micropigmentation artists and micro tattoo artists that use the same equipment and techniques as permanent‑makeup artists into the low‑impact personal‑services category; the motion passed unanimously. Commissioners and staff noted that any code change will require an ordinance, public hearing(s), and at least two readings at City Council, and would not take effect until after required noticing and the statutory waiting period (staff noted effective date is typically 30 days after adoption). Staff said they would research technical distinctions and return recommended language to the commission and then to council.