Politics & Government

Walnut City Council Approves Tattoo Parlor Regulations

The city had no regulations on the books, but needed to set up some after receiving a request to open a body art business on Valley Boulevard.

The city of Walnut now has regulations in place for the establishment and operation of tattoo parlors.

The Walnut City Council voted 5-0 Wednesday night to approve a municipal code amendment to set up guidelines for the businesses.

Tom Weiner, community development director, said before the vote that Walnut does not have any tattoo parlors, but one business license is pending to open one on Valley Boulevard.

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“This is a new ordinance to regulate these types of uses in the city,” Weiner said.  “Right now our code is silent on them.”

The code amendment came before the council on March 27, but City Attorney Michael Montgomery suggested the matter be tabled to give staff a chance to research state law related to tattoos for patrons under the age of 18.

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Weiner said Wednesday night that the California penal code prohibits the tattooing of or offering to tattoo anyone under 18 and a violation of the law is a misdemeanor offense.

The Planning Commission also has discussed the code amendment during previous meetings.  On Jan. 30, the commission reviewed the amendment and recommended that the council approve it.

The municipal code now identifies and defines what a tattoo or body art establishment is, sets limitations and regulations on the locations, permitting process, operational hors, and interior set up the businesses, and provides a way for city officials to conduct unscheduled inspections for the businesses to make sure they are complying with the ordinance, according to the staff report.

Under the code, tattoo parlors cannot be located within 500 feet of churches, public parks, schools, day care centers, and businesses offering the same services. They also are restricted to the city’s heavy commercial zones.

The process requires applicants who want to open a tattoo business to go through the Planning Commission’s conditional use process and adhere to all of the conditions the city and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department places on them, Weiner said.

The fiscal impact fo the city related to the administration and processing of a tattoo parlor conditional use permit request is covered by a flat fee of $1,965.

 

 

 

 

 


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