Elmhurst Officials Differ On Tattoo Shop Ban

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst's code prohibits standalone tattoo shops, but officials are considering changing that policy.

On Monday, the City Council plans to review proposals on such shops as part of a zoning update.

Earlier this year, the head of the city's zoning panel said the code's ban may reflect a "vague prejudice" against tattoo shops.

"No one has ever told me why (tattoo shops) wouldn't be allowed," Susan Rose, chairwoman of the Plan Commission, said at a meeting. "We are supposed to look at facts, not supposition."

The commission found the city had no basis to restrict tattoo shops – formally called "body modification establishments" – to certain types of commercial and industrial areas.

Rather, the panel recommended that the city consider allowing tattoo shops as an accessory use for businesses in all commercial districts, provided they do not exceed a quarter of the floor area.

The commission further said such shops could be allowed as a principal use in all commercial zones, as long as they get conditional use permits.

However, the City Council's zoning committee is pushing a more restrictive approach.

Now, the code allows tattoo shops as an accessory use in medical offices, beauty salons and spas within a certain type of commercial district, keeping the tattoo part to a quarter of the floor area.

The committee's majority, made up of aldermen Chris Jensen and Jennifer Veremis, favors expanding the types of businesses to art studios, microblading or permanent makeup establishments, tanning salons and nail salons.

Under the proposal, though, a tattoo operation cannot exceed 150 square feet in such businesses, with only one chair.

The majority said such shops should be allowed as a conditional use in a certain type of industrial district.

The City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall.