The City Council decided to explore a discretionary use permit process for the opening of tattoo studios in Manhattan Beach – which would allow the council to look at each application on a case by case basis – at Tuesday’s meeting.
City staff had recommended that the council amend the city’s zoning ordinance to allow tattoo studios in Manhattan Beach, as long as they are 600 feet away from schools or other body art studios. The staff will research the discretionary use permits and report back to council at the meeting on Nov. 15.
While there currently are no formal applications pending for tattoo studios in Manhattan Beach, the city has received inquiries about potentially opening them, said Richard Thompson, the city’s director of community development. Tattoo studios are not currently listed as permitted under the city’s current zoning ordinance, according to the city.
The city is taking a proactive approach to the issue so it’s prepared in case it receives an application to open a tattoo studio, said Roxanne Diaz, city attorney.
Last year, Hermosa Beach attempted to put a ban on tattoo parlors in the city. A federal appeals court ruled the ban unconstitutional last September, citing that tattoos are a form of expression protected by the First Amendment.
In July, the council placed a moratorium on the approval of tattoo studios to provide the Planning Commission and the city time to develop regulations for tattoo parlors.
