Arizona - Number of tattoo-parlor permits rises

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Number of tattoo-parlor permits rises

Phoenix inked 6 deals in '09 for shops to open as more people seek skin art

31 commentsby Clancy - Jan. 2, 2010 12:00 AM

The Arizona Republic .

Tattoo shops appear to be recession-proof.

More shops have received special permits to open in Phoenix in the past two

years than in the previous three years combined.

The reasons could be varied, but one thing is certain: More people are getting

skin ink, and more places are opening to accommodate them.

Long gone are the days when tattoos were associated with unsavory elements of

society, despite continuing fights over shop locations, including recently

well-publicized battles in Mesa and Tempe.

Phoenix governs tattoo shops through its special-permit process. No state laws

exist to cover tattoo artists or shops.

Tattoo shops require a special permit because, according to the city's zoning

code, it is one of the uses that " are necessary (but) do not usually conform

with traditional use groupings. " The process is intended " to allow the location

of certain uses while maintaining adequate protection to the surrounding area. "

Other uses that require special permits include massage facilities, cemeteries,

outdoor cooking areas, mobile-home parks, nursing and group homes,

bed-and-breakfast locations and auto-body shops.

Judd, who owns Stay True Tattoo in northeast Phoenix and works under the

name Brando, says he is not concerned about legitimate competition. But he says

the zoning restrictions are not enough to guarantee safety and cleanliness, and

to keep non-permitted tattoo businesses under control.

" It's a big concern out here, " he said. " They are hepatitis factories. "

Legitimate businesses such as his, Brando says, make absolutely certain the

artists are well trained and up to date on safety and sanitation.

There is plenty of business. Brando says about 30 tattoos a week are done at his

shop, near Arizona 51 and Greenway Road. At least four other shops are within a

couple of miles.

All told, Phoenix has 32 shops listed in the Yellow Pages. At least 50 others do

business in other Valley cities.

About 36 percent of those ages 18 to 25, and 40 percent of those ages 26 to 40,

have at least one tattoo, according to a fall 2006 survey by the Pew Research

Center.

As early as 2000, National Geographic reported that 15 percent of Americans were

tattooed.

In 2006, a study done by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

found that a quarter of Americans between 18 and 50 are tattooed, with an even

higher percentage on the younger end.

Brando said he has no fear that tattoos are a passing fad.

" Talent is what is important, " he said. " There is no limit. It will continue to

grow. "

New technology is allowing artists to do things they haven't been able to do

before, he said.

" We are in the renaissance of tattooing right now, and it's exciting, " he said.