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Consider public testimony regarding, and an ordinance amending the Zoning and Development Code Chapter 2, Article VIII, Section 2-91, Code of Ordinances (2018 Edition) regarding Tattoo Parlors and Tattoo/Piercing Shops in the C-1A, C-2, and OF-2 Districts. (First Reading)*
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The City’s Zoning and Development Code restricts the location of tattoo shops in certain zoning districts. Currently, tattoo shops are permitted by right in the City’s most intensive commercial district, General Commercial (C-1), as well as in the Mixed-Use Historic Commercial Core, Mixed-Use Downtown Medium Density, and Mixed-Use Redevelopment and Small Lot districts (MU-1, MU-2, and MU-R). The Mixed Use zones contain supplementary standards requiring a minimum of 500' separation from all other established tattoo shops. The Planning & Development Services Department regularly receives requests for tattoo shops to be located outside of these districts.
The proposed code amendment permits tattoo shops within the City’s less intense commercial zones: General Commercial Limited (C-1a), Local Commercial (C-2), and Mid-Rise Office (OF-2).
Historically, tattoo shops have been heavily regulated by cities due to late night hours, perceived loitering, and amplified music. Today’s tattoo shops function more like any other cosmetic service such as nail salons, hair salons, and other similar uses. Tattoo shops are boutique in nature, typically by appointment only, and do not operate during late night hours.The real estate market pushes small businesses away from occupying general commercial tenant spaces due to high rent. Properties zoned C-1 are primarily occupied by anchor retail tenants and large chains. Consequently, this leaves tattoo shops with few options to locate within Round Rock city limits.
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing at their meeting on September 6th, 2023, and voted 8-0 to recommend approval of the code amendment. There were no speakers from the public. Commissioner Wallis Meshier expressed concerns about the difficulty in applying a separation requirement from property line to property line within a commercial center.
Post Planning and Zoning Commission Update:
City Staff gathered from the discussion at the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting that the proposed 500' separation requirement within a C-2 and OF-2 zone is unnecessarily burdensome. Staff has removed that proposed separation from the proposed ordinance. The City will continue to require 500' separation for tattoo shops within the allowed Mixed-Use zones.