Tattoos: Banned in Paso for 20 years
Paso Robles says ‘no’ to Tattoo shops for 20 years
Tattoos pose a threat to the health and safety of the community and are detrimental to surrounding businesses, city council decided in 1994.
Looking for a great new tattoo to honor your military service, remember a loved one, or brand yourself with a motto? Don’t look for fresh ink in Paso Robles.
Tattoo parlors have been banned in Paso Robles since 1994. That’s when the city decided they pose a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the community. Tattoos are just fine for the residents of San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Atascadero and San Miguel. But not here.
One of our readers posted a question about it. Vicki Trujillo asks “Why is it that tattoo shops are outlawed in our community? It seems so unfair to the community who do value and love artwork. Tattooing has been around forever and should be zoned in Paso Robles.”
Susan DeCarli with the City of Paso Robles responded promptly to our inquiry: “The regulations prohibiting the establishment of tattoo parlors were adopted in 1994. As noted in the ‘findings’ section of the Ordinance it was found, at that time, that tattoo parlors were not regulated by the Health Dept and may therefore pose a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the community. Additionally, the City found that the use might be detrimental to surrounding businesses in the area.”
All hope is not lost for tattoo lovers. DeCarli says, “If someone wanted to change the regulations they would need to apply for a Zoning Code Amendment, which would need to be approved by the City Council. I have had a few inquiries over the past several years regarding this issue and no one has applied to change the regulations.”
The original ordinance passed the Paso Robles City Council unanimously with one council member absent. Our current mayor, Duane Picanco, and councilman Steve Martin voted to pass the ordinance.
Here’s the tattoo ordinance:
21.32.010 – Purpose.
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to prohibit tattooing within the city. It is recognized that because no health regulations exist, tattooing can be unsanitary and lead to the communication and transmission of infectious diseases and therefore, be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare within the city. In addition, tattoo parlors are not consonant with the type of image which the city wishes to project.
(Ord. 674 N.S. § 1 (part), 1994)
21.32.020 – Definitions.
“Tattoo parlors” means any establishment where the act of tattooing humans takes place. This includes tattooing as a primary or ancillary use.
“Tattooing” means the act or process of inserting pigment under the surface of the skin of a human being by pricking with a needle or otherwise, so as to produce an indelible mark or figure visible through the skin.
(Ord. 674 § 1 (part), 1994)
21.32.030 – Prohibited within the city.
The establishment or operation of a tattoo parlor and/or the act of tattooing as defined in this chapter shall be prohibited within the city limits.
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