Moving the needle: Columbia County temporarily halts establishment of new tattoo parlors

Columbia County this week voted to temporarily halt granting new business applications to tattoo studios, but not before granting one more application that was rejected last month. 

The county’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to place a 120-day moratorium on tattoo-shop applications after concerns arose about placing the businesses on certain types of commercial property. 

The concerns arose from the May application from Randy Teston, who requested to establish a tattoo studio at 308 Commerce Dr., on a cul-de-sac serving Rogers Commercial Park in Martinez. Commissioners voted to deny Teston’s request at its May 16 meeting. 

But District 2 Commissioner Don Skinner introduced a motion Tuesday to reconsider that decision. Speaking before commissioners, Teston produced a petition he said was signed by business owners and employees who sided with him. 

Drawing a line somewhere:Columbia County backtracks, allows body-art studio to operate

“I don’t know what the issue is with the tattoo parlor, but there ain’t no motorcycle gangs going to be rolling up,” Teston said. “It’s just going to be a legit business.” 

Teston said he “just want(s) a shot at capitalism” and the chance “to fail on my own” in the free market. 

District 1 Commissioner Connie Melear, who seconded the motion May 16 to reject Teston’s application, said she’s not anti-tattoo, and she recognizes such body art as a valid form of self-expression. 

“I’m fine with that, but the business itself is part of a regulated service industry” governed by dozens of pages of state and local laws, she said. Her concern is locating such shops in zones that are considered more isolated from conventional commercial traffic. 

Melear said she’d prefer to see a tattoo studio “where we can see it on a busier thoroughfare," but “it would require a change of code.” 

Commissioners voted to approve Teston’s request, but minutes later they also approved the tattoo moratorium, which will remain in effect either for 120 days or until the county adopts amendments to Chapter 90 of the county code, which regulates tattoo studios.