Those waiting for the legalization of tattooing in the city of DeKalb will have to continue waiting.

On Monday night, the DeKalb City Council decided to postpone lifting the tattoo ban in Chapter 11 of the Municipal Code.

One of the issues to be further discussed was the length of time since a prospective applicant’s last felony. Under current consideration, an applicant must not have been convicted of a felony or any sex or drug offenses in the past 10 years.

Kenny Weinstock, owner of On A Whim, 127 E Lincoln Highway, said that a period of 10 years was too much and that a period of five years would be enough.

Another area of disagreement between the council and those in attendance was the application fee. A non-refundable application fee for a license is $250.

“I think that any additional cost, to do what we’re trained to do, is too much,” Weinstock said,

An area of concern on the part of prospective applicants was language in the proposed ordinance that would require all applicants to purchase at least $300,000 worth of liability insurance.

Weinstock contended that $100,000 was a common practice among shop owners since there is no state law that requires a specific amount.

“I think you’re asking a little too much,” Weinstock said.

Sixth Ward Alderman David Baker wanted to have more time to examine other cities’ policies on tattooing.

“We’re not trying to spend your money,” Baker said. “We need to look at insurance standards in other communities and get estimates.”

If the ordinance is passed, tattoo parlors in the downtown area will be limited to two establishments and must be 500 feet apart.

At the moment, no establishment will be allowed to perform any procedure that implants objects like rods or bearings under the skin.

The city council will address the possibility of tattooing again at the next meeting held at the Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St. on Sept. 28 at 6 p.m.

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