Commission interprets tattoo parlors as personal‑service uses in West Pico Corridor

The Planning Commission on June 18 adopted a staff recommendation interpreting tattoo parlors to be permissible as personal‑service uses in parts of the West Pico Corridor specific plan. The interpretation applies to Neighborhood Commercial 1.2 and 2, Community Commercial 2 and Light Industrial zones within the specific plan area known in staff materials as West Pico/Los Molinos.

Staff asked the commission to confirm whether tattoo parlors — defined in the municipal code as establishments where a person may obtain a tattoo and/or body piercing — should be treated as a form of personal service in that specific plan. The commission’s unanimous interpretation allows such businesses “by right” in the listed zones and specifies that the standards contained in San Clemente Municipal Code section 17.28.325 (body art establishments) will apply, other than optional locational criteria the commission could choose to add later.

Planning staff told the commission the body‑art code already establishes minimum standards (licensing, health and sanitary requirements and operational rules) and recommended using those existing standards to reduce community impacts. Commissioners noted changing public perceptions and that tattooing/body art is widely accepted; no public opposition appeared at the hearing. The commission’s action was a purely interpretive amendment to how uses are classified in the West Pico Corridor specific plan and does not change the municipal code’s body‑art requirements or licensing procedures.

The resolution approving the interpretation directs staff to list tattoo parlors as allowed personal services in the specified West Pico Corridor zones; staff may return for further code amendments if the commission or council later wishes to add locational criteria or to separately define body‑piercing‑only uses.