Lynn City board grants variance to new tattoo shop as updated body‑art rules are drafted

The Lynn City Board of Health voted to grant a variance to a new tattoo studio that lacks floor‑to‑ceiling permanent walls between stations, allowing the proprietor to use movable partitions in the short term.

Joel, the applicant, told the board his shop uses portable panels and a separate private room for clients who request privacy. Unidentified Speaker 4, representing the city’s public‑health collaborative, recommended the variance, describing it as “a technicality” while officials finalize a comprehensive update to body‑art regulations next year. The collaborative’s forthcoming rules, the official said, will align with recent National Environmental Health Association guidance and will cover tattoos, microblading, apprenticeships and instructor qualifications.

Board members pressed on infection‑control and privacy concerns. Unidentified Speaker 1 and others noted that modern body‑art practice relies heavily on single‑use equipment and other safeguards rather than autoclaves and full permanent partitions, but emphasized that proprietors must ensure privacy when clients request it. Joel said his shop can provide curtains or a private room and asked staff to confirm the permit pathway with the building department, which conducts separate life‑safety and occupancy inspections.

The motion to grant the variance was made by Unidentified Speaker 2 and seconded by Unidentified Speaker 3; the board approved the motion by voice vote. Unidentified Speaker 4 told Joel staff would send written confirmation of the variance to him and to April in the ISD (Inspectional Services Department). The board characterized the approval as limited: it does not change the city’s permanent regulations, which staff and the collaborative will present for formal adoption in 2025.

Next steps: staff will provide a written notice of the variance to the applicant and return to the board with the drafted regulation updates next year.