During the recent Oroville City Council meeting, a significant discussion centered on the zoning classification of tattooing, permanent makeup, and related services. The council is considering how to better define these services within the city's zoning code to address inconsistencies and support local businesses.

Currently, full tattoo parlors are classified as moderate impact personal services, while permanent makeup services are inconsistently categorized as either low impact or professional office use. Micro tattooing and micropigmentation lack any formal definition, leading to confusion in permitting and enforcement. The staff emphasized that all these services fall under the California health and safety code definition of tattooing, but their local impacts can vary widely based on business scale and setting.

To clarify these classifications, staff proposed three options for the council's consideration. The first option, which staff recommends, is to treat all pigment-based services uniformly and classify them as low impact. This approach aligns with state law and reflects the minimal issues reported by local law enforcement regarding tattoo-related businesses. The second option would maintain the current zoning structure, which has inconsistencies, particularly concerning permanent makeup. The third option suggests creating a new category for cosmetic pigmentation services, which could introduce ambiguity in enforcement.

Council members expressed support for the first option, recognizing the evolving perceptions of tattooing and cosmetic services in the community. They noted that many large cities classify these services similarly, and there is a growing acceptance of tattooing as a legitimate business. The council's discussions highlighted the importance of balancing regulatory oversight with the need to foster local business growth.

No immediate fiscal impacts or ordinance changes were proposed during this meeting, as the council is seeking direction to draft a zoning amendment for future review and public hearings. The outcome of this discussion aims to streamline the permitting process for small-scale cosmetic services, ultimately benefiting local entrepreneurs and enhancing community business opportunities.