ITEM NO. 9
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CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT |
| TO: |
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council |
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| FROM: |
Arron Brown, City Manager |
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| BY: |
Arron Brown, City Manager |
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| DATE: |
12/10/2025 |
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| SUBJECT: | Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit for the Establishment of a Body Art Business in the C-1 General Commercial Zone, located in the Eastport Market Shopping Center, located at 24370 Canyon Lake Drive, Suite/Unit 9
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Recommendation:
(1) Find the proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment; and (2) approve Resolution No. 2025-54 (Conditional Use Permit 25-03), subject to the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval.
Background/Analysis:
The City Council has taken action to approve several tattoo/body art businesses in the Towne Center since 2023, with the latest action occurring in August 2025. Although this type of use is not listed in the Zoning Ordinance, it has been found similar to other uses, such as massage parlors, health centers, and similar personal establishments. No prior concerns have been expressed about previously approved body art uses by the City Council or the public. This proposal would be the first such business to request a location outside the Towne Center.
Tattoo businesses regulated under the umbrella listing of “Body Art”. Body Art and its place of operation are defined in the California Health and Safety Code, Section 119301, as follows:
Tattoo businesses regulated under the umbrella listing of “Body Art”. Body Art and its place of operation are defined in the California Health and Safety Code, Section 119301, as follows:
- "Body art" means body piercing, tattooing, branding, or application of permanent cosmetics.
- "Body art facility" means the specified building, section of a building, or vehicle in which a practitioner performs or demonstrates for the purpose of instruction body art, including reception areas, the procedure area, and the decontamination and sterilization area. "Body art facility" does not include a facility that only pierces the ear with a disposable, single-use, presterilized clasp and stud or solid needle that is applied using a mechanical device to force the needle or stud through the ear.
County Health Department Requirements
Body Art establishments must register with the “local enforcement agency”, (Section 119306 of the California Health and Safety Code) which in this instance is the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. To permit the operation of this use requires approval from both the City, to permit the use, and the County Health Department, to license the use and operation. The County will conduct an inspection of the facility upon its completion. Any individual operators within the business must also be properly licensed to perform that function.
The applicant operates other facilities in Lake Elsinore and Anaheim and is familiar with agency permitting requirements.
Staff Review Requirements
The application was distributed for review to the City’s Fire and Building Departments, and discussed with the new City Police Chief. Riverside County Department of Environmental Health was also contacted by phone. Their comments are provided below.
Fire Department
Body Art establishments must register with the “local enforcement agency”, (Section 119306 of the California Health and Safety Code) which in this instance is the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health. To permit the operation of this use requires approval from both the City, to permit the use, and the County Health Department, to license the use and operation. The County will conduct an inspection of the facility upon its completion. Any individual operators within the business must also be properly licensed to perform that function.
The applicant operates other facilities in Lake Elsinore and Anaheim and is familiar with agency permitting requirements.
Staff Review Requirements
The application was distributed for review to the City’s Fire and Building Departments, and discussed with the new City Police Chief. Riverside County Department of Environmental Health was also contacted by phone. Their comments are provided below.
Fire Department
- A fire and life safety inspection of the facility, with sufficient time to make any updates, is required prior to opening,
Building Department
- No concerns were noted.
Police Department
- Did not identify any law enforcement concerns nor was contact with the Sheriff’s Department deemed necessary.
Health Department
- Phone contact with the Department found an application has not yet been received, since the use has not been approved. However, the applicant’s Lake Elsinore facility complies with all County requirements for licensing and operations.
Public Hearing
As a Conditional Use Permit, the application is subject to a public hearing. A hearing notice has been advertised in the Friday Flyer and landowners within 300 feet have been notified, via the U.S. Postal Service. The 10-day distribution period was provided, since the use was not a change in use, requiring a 20-day notice. As of the date of this report, no comments have been received.
As a Conditional Use Permit, the application is subject to a public hearing. A hearing notice has been advertised in the Friday Flyer and landowners within 300 feet have been notified, via the U.S. Postal Service. The 10-day distribution period was provided, since the use was not a change in use, requiring a 20-day notice. As of the date of this report, no comments have been received.
- Fiscal Impact Yes/No:
- No