Tattoo artists should be allowed to perform their artistry in downtown Decatur

In Decatur, tattoo parlors are prohibited from being in the central business district.  This zoning restriction is outdated and should be lifted by the Decatur City Council.  Many tattoo artists are local, small business owners, and Decatur should be known as a place that embraces small businesses, not one that arbitrarily restricts where they are located, particularly given that tattoos are a form of speech. 

CITY COUNCIL DELAYED DECISION ALLOWING TATTOO ARTISTS IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

At the June 20 Decatur City Council meeting, the council voted 4-3 to table a vote that would have allowed tattoo and body piercing parlors in zoning districts where other personal services are permitted.  In other words, you can get a massage, have a manicure, and get your hair styled in a certain part of the city, but you are banned from getting body art or your body pierced in those same parts of the city. 

Tattoos are popular and mainstream.  At the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, one of the rooms holds a tattoo parlor, and for $54-$270, you can get a tattoo of a Rembrandt painting.  If people want to get a tattoo inspired by art in the Scovill sculpture park, why shouldn’t they be able to?  If a tattoo artist wants to set-up their business in downtown, why shouldn’t they be allowed to?  

Admittedly, I won't be first in line to get a tattoo of the Transfer House on my arm, but I respect and admire the body art that our citizens have decided is important to them, and the city council should not discriminate as to what types of personal services should be in what parts of the city.

CITIZENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

What do you think, should tattoo parlors be allowed in downtown Decatur?  Please share your perspective.  If you would like to discuss this or any other city issues with a council member, phone numbers and email addresses for each council member can be found at the following link: https://www.decaturil.gov/mayor-and-council/council/.