The Brentwood City Council will once again take up tattoo parlors and body art in the downtown area.
Staff are now recommending that Body Art establishments be approved through an administrative license throughout the Downtown with a cap of four (4) total licenses (to include two existing facilities and two new facilities), subject to locational Restrictions – the two existing businesses are Studio V and Golden Heart Gallery.
- Note: “Body Art” is defined as body piercing, tattooing, branding, or application of permanent cosmetics
This item dates back to January 28, 2025 when the future agenda item request was made. It returned on May 27, 2025 and agreed to be looked at in a 3-2 vote. By August 5, 2025, the Planning Commission held a public hearing where it was recommended in a 3-2 vote not to adopt an ordinance amending the Downtown Specific Plan.
The item returns after a July 28, 2026 meeting where the City Council provided additional direction to staff to prepare additional information and return with further discussion by September 8, 2026.
The final motion requested the following information to be brought back for discussion:
- Further discussion on the legality of regulating or requiring new personal service vendors to obtain a Conditional Use Permit;
- A revised definition for personal services;
- A process that would allow existing personal services as defined by the new definition with the Downtown Specific Plan to be “grandfathered” in;
- A cap on new personal service as defined by the new definition to two; and
- Prohibit future personal service providers along Oak Street or First Street storefronts.
Tidbits from staff report:
- As discussed on July 28, 2026, the City Council seeks to evaluate the feasibility of prohibiting personal services and/or body art facilities along the first-floor street frontage on First Street and Oak Street. Consistent with previous Council discussion, future tattoo studios may be considered on the second floor and throughout the remainder of the Downtown commercial districts. As discussed on July 28, 2026, these restrictions are intended to further the DSP’s existing objectives relating to an active pedestrian-oriented commercial environment and maintaining the economic vitality and distinctive character of the Downtown Core
Regulating Process, Potential Future Cap and Existing Facilities
- A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) would run with the land and would not be specific to the business or operator. Through this process the Planning Commission would be able to review each application under the applicable DSP criteria on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration each individual location and setup and operational characteristics while taking public comments into consideration
- The City Council could consider establishing a Downtown Personal Services or Body Art License/Permit, similar to the Tobacco Retail License (the type of license would depend on whether Council decides to use one definition of Personal Services or to have a separate definition for Body Art). This type of license could run with the business or operator and not run with the land. A license or permit could be reviewed and renewed on annual basis based on set standards (typically linked to public health and safety and operational characteristics) and could be more easily revoked in cases where an operator violates any of the requirements, conditions, or prohibitions of the permit.
- Staff Recommendation – Define Body Art separately. After review of potential unintended consequences to existing personal service uses, staff recommends that Body Art be defined separately and classified as a separate land use.
- Staff Recommendation—Only Limit Location of Body Art Businesses. After review of potential unintended consequences to existing personal service uses, staff recommends that only Body Art be prohibited along Oak Street or First Street storefronts and to be further clarified that they would only be prohibited within the first 65 feet of the first floor as measured perpendicular to the street frontage (consistent with the DSP Retail Required1 measurements). It should be noted that under this recommendation, Studio V, which is located at 642 First Street, could be permitted because, although it is located on First Street, it is located beyond 65 feet from the frontage.
- staff recommends that only Body Art facilities be required to obtain either a Conditional Use Permit or an administrative Body Art Facilities license
Staff Report – click here
Second Street Parking Lot Rental
The council will change the effective dates of the Second Street Event Lot Rental Fees which will begin on September 8, 2026 instead of November 1, 2026.
On June 23, 2026, following a public hearing, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-66, amending the FY 2025/26 Cost Allocation Plan and Schedule of City Fees, including establishing a new daily rental fee for the use of the Second Street Event Lot, a City-leased parking lot that will be utilized for special events in accordance with City Council direction. Fees for the Second Street Event Lot were set as follows:
- Resident (per day): $1,268
- Non-resident (per day): $1,394
- Commercial (per day): $1,648
- Non-Profit (per day): $887.00
Closed Session: Lone Tree Way & Windy Springs Fire Station
The City will continue negotiating its property with Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.
If You Go
Brentwood City Council Meeting
September 08, 2026 at 7:00 P.m.
City Council Chambers
150 City Park Way, Brentwood, CA 94513
Full Agenda: Click Here
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