Local residents are urging the city of Heber to revise its zoning laws, which currently prohibit tattoo parlors in commercial areas.
At the Heber City Council meeting on February 4, Julie Franklin, a Heber resident, presented her case, highlighting the challenges her daughter faced in obtaining approval from the health department for a body art shop, only to find that the city’s zoning laws would not allow her to operate.
“The law doesn’t provide any reasoning for the prohibition,” Franklin said. “It just states that tattooing is prohibited, without further explanation.”
Franklin argued that the law, which was likely created with a different demographic in mind, no longer reflects the reality of the modern tattoo industry. “Thirty percent of people in the U.S. have gotten a tattoo at least once in their life. This isn’t the same group of people that the original law was written for,” she said, adding that tattoos are no longer exclusive to certain subcultures.
She also emphasized that body art encompasses more than just tattoos. “Body art can include piercings, microblading for brows, and other forms of artistic expression,” she explained, urging the city to reconsider the prohibition and treat these practices with the same respect as other forms of art.
Currently, local business owners offering body art services operate under a spa license, but Franklin believes the city should change the law to formally legalize tattoo shops.
Jacob Roberts, the city planner, clarified the current legal situation. According to Heber’s zoning code, there is no designated zone where tattoo parlors are allowed to operate, making them effectively prohibited. However, Roberts noted a potential loophole: tattoo parlors could technically operate as a home business, as no regulations explicitly forbid this.
Nevertheless, Roberts expressed concerns about the practicality of such an arrangement, particularly regarding health and safety standards. “Tattoo shops are subject to stringent health and sanitation requirements, which would be difficult to enforce in a residential setting,” he said. “A more regulated approach could allow these businesses to become a legitimate part of the local economy.”
Oakley Franklin, who is seeking a license for her own body art business, supported the call for change. She raised concerns about the risks of operating a tattoo parlor in a residential area, especially in homes with children or pets. “It’s really not a good idea,” she said. “Perhaps the city could consider allowing tattoo shops to operate within existing salons, rather than as standalone businesses.”
The Heber Planning Commission is set to discuss the city’s stance on tattoo parlors during a meeting on Tuesday, February 11. Any recommendations made by the commission would then be presented to the city council for further consideration.
Residents can listen to the planning meeting via the city’s website.
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