Aurora city council considers regulations on tattoo parlors
Aurora City Council, which one alderman described as “not tattoo-friendly,” began discussing Tuesday whether the city should require business licenses for tattoo parlors and what the qualifications for a license should be.
Questions centered around two elements of the proposal — a requirement that tattoo parlors have a physician or doctor of osteopathy on call and a clause that would automatically decrease the number of tattoo facilities allowed when any of the current parlors closes.
Alderman Al Lewandowski, who dubbed the council “not tattoo-friendly,” said automatically decreasing the number of tattoo businesses allowed when one shop closes would create an unfair burden on owners who might want to shut down their parlor but reopen it in another Aurora location.
The proposed business licenses, which would cost $500 with a $250 annual renewal fee, would be tied to one business at one location, said Ed Sieben, the city's zoning administrator.
Eight tattoo parlors in Aurora would be required to apply for business licenses if they are created. Each time one of the original eight closes, the maximum number of licenses available would automatically decrease until only two remain, so a move to a different location would require city council approval, Sieben said.
To apply for a license, a tattoo parlor must provide a copy of its certificate of registration from the Illinois Department of Public Health and documentation showing it has been inspected and approved by its county health department. Such businesses must be closed between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., and entrances must be located on public streets
“They can't be tucked in nooks and crannies,” Sieben said. “We've had that before, and it caused some problems.”
Applicants could be denied for being younger than 21, for having a felony conviction, for owing money to the city or for operating an unsanitary or unsafe facility.
And then there's that on-call doctor requirement.
“How does that promote better health?” Alderman Rick Lawrence said. “I just don't understand the on-call and how it increases any kind of safety.”
Sieben said the requirement forces tattoo establishment operators to form a relationship with a doctor who could be contacted with medical questions that don't rise to the level of 911 emergencies.
Alderman Richard Irvin said the problem is “on-call” isn't defined in the ordinance that would create the business-license requirement. He asked city staff to add such a definition before the issue comes up for a vote.
Aldermen are expected to vote at 6 p.m. Tuesday on the proposed business licenses and on a separate ordinance setting fees and the number of licenses allowed.