Royal Oak, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Tattoo & Body Modification (2026)

Chapter 770, the Zoning Ordinance, defines a 'tattoo, body piercing, branding parlor' in § 770-8 as an establishment providing external body modification through tattooing, body piercing or branding, and separately defines 'body piercing' as perforation of tissue other than an ear for a nonmedical purpose and 'tattoo' as an indelible mark or design placed under the skin. Section 770-76 places tattoo and/or body-piercing and/or branding studios on the list of 'regulated uses' the City treats the same as adult-oriented commercial enterprises, escort services, massage establishments and pawnbrokers, because the City Commission has found these uses carry a documented negative secondary impact on residential, office and commercial areas if they cluster together.

Under § 770-76B, no regulated use, including a tattoo studio, may locate within a 1,000-foot radius of another existing regulated use, measured from the outermost boundaries of each lot, or within 1,000 feet of a school, library, park, playground, licensed day-care home or center, or a church, convent, monastery, synagogue or other place of worship. A tattoo studio also cannot sit within 150 feet of any residential zone, again measured lot-line to lot-line. Section 770-76C bars anyone from residing on the premises of a regulated use.

Because a tattoo parlor is a use permitted only within Royal Oak's business and industrial zones subject to these spacing rules, an operator must confirm compliance with the Planning and Community Development Department before signing a lease or seeking a certificate of occupancy.