The Marion County Planning Commission wants to amend its zoning laws to regulate tattoo and body piercing shops.
Right now, the municipalities there have laws to restrict those businesses, but the planning commission wants tighter restricts for unincorporated areas.
According to state law, the facilities can operate anywhere, except within 500 feet of a school, church or playground, but the commission wants to go a step beyond those regulations.
As it stands now, municipalities in Marion County have their own zoning laws for tattoo parlors and body piercing shops that are in line with the state. The county's planning commission wants to prohibit such facilities from opening within 1,000 feet of churches, schools and playgrounds in unincorporated areas of the county.
The commission also wants to make sure the establishments stay clear of community centers, libraries, homes or any other tattoo or body piercing place.
The proposed zoning changes also state that doors and windows at these facilities must not reveal what's going on inside.
Another change would require all applications for these facilities to be reviewed and approved by the board of zoning appeals.
The planning commission will vote on the proposed recommendations next month.
If approved, it goes to county council members who will have the final say on the matter.
Council is expected to take up this issue in March.
We're told currently there are no tattoo or body piercing shops anywhere in Marion County.
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