Tattoo parlors open to inspection

An ordinance was approved Tuesday to regulate tattoo parlors, but the City Council wants the removal process and costs outlined for all customers.

The City Council voted 4-0 to approve the ordinance, which opens the door for county health department inspections.

The council also instructed the city attorney to look into the possibility of requiring the establishments to post on the walls or distribute fliers providing information about erasing a no-longer-wanted tattoo.

“I would like to see a surcharge added to every tattoo for erasing,” Councilwoman Toni Iseman said.

Resident Bruce Hopping said the process is both painful and expensive.

“I agree with Bruce,” Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Kinsman said. “They [tattoo establishments] should supply a price list and locations for removals.”

Council members expressed particular concern about minor customers.

“Minors should not even be on the premises,” Kinsman said.

State law prohibits anyone younger than 18 to be tattooed without parental approval, but council members asked City Atty. Phillip Kohn to research what the city could do to ensure enforcement.

“How are IDs and parental approval checked,” Councilwoman Toni Iseman asked.

And she wanted to know how the city could verify the information.

Staff and the Planning Commission also were instructed to consider the appropriate locations for the tattoo parlors.

“They should not be downtown,” Kinsman said.

There is currently only one tattoo parlor in town. Stephen Crome, owner of Laguna Tattoo, at 656 S. Coast Hwy., has been in business for 26 years.

He is already registered with the county, a requirement in the ordinance.

Consideration of the ordinance was triggered by a request to the City Council from the Planning Commission after the commission reviewed an application for a new tattoo establishment in Woods Cove and discovering the lack of oversight.

“I am only voting to move this [ordinance] forward because we want the health department inspections,” Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson said.

The complete ordinance, as approved, is posted on the city’s web site, www.lagunabeachcity.net for the June 17 council meeting agenda.

BARBARA DIAMOND can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or coastlinepilot@latimes.com.