Durant amends code to rely on state rules for tattoo studios, removes local conditional-use requirement

The Durant City Council approved an ordinance to amend the city code so that tattoo studios must follow state regulations, removing overlapping local regulations and eliminating the need for a city conditional-use permit for those studios.

City staff explained the change as a "cleanup" to remove current city regulations that duplicate state standards and to avoid repeated local updates each time the state changes its rules. Paul, a staff member, said the ordinance "removes all the current city regulations regarding tattoo shops, and it already follows state guidelines," and that the change would "allow us to just roll with the state guidelines." Pam, a staff member, said she supported the structure because "it does mirror state law," and noted the state modified its rules last November 2024 to remove a prior prohibition on locating a studio within 1,000 feet of a school, play yard or church.

Under the revision, applicants for tattoo-studio permits will be required to show proof of compliance with state regulatory sign-offs as part of the city's application process; the city will continue to enforce zoning and building codes at the time of local permitting. Council members asked about how the city will track state updates; staff replied that applicants must document state approval when they apply, and that the city will rely on those state certifications rather than duplicate regulatory language locally.

Council members approved the ordinance and separately approved an emergency declaration to make the ordinance effective immediately. The clerk recorded unanimous "Yes" roll-call votes for the ordinance and for the emergency declaration.