Tattoo Businesses Forced Into Industrial Zones in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
MT. JULIET, Tenn. Tattoo artist Eric Axle, a native of Mt. Juliet, is speaking out against a city ordinance that restricts tattoo shops by classifying them as “adult entertainment.” This classification confines tattoo businesses to industrial zones that make up only about 1% of the city’s land area, effectively preventing artists like Axle from opening shops in more accessible or community-friendly areas.
A Personal Fight to Tattoo in His Hometown
Eric Axle wants to open his tattoo parlor in Mt. Juliet, but the restrictive ordinance means he must operate in nearby Nashville instead. “It’s not fair because I’m just a guy who paints pictures on people’s skin,” Axle said in a recent interview. “Why am I punished by being put into the dark corner of the industrial town?”
The Roots of the Ordinance: A Look Back
The ordinance was passed in 2013, at a time when tattoos were less mainstream and often misunderstood. Mt. Juliet’s city commissioners grouped tattoo shops alongside adult bookstores, adult movie theaters, and similar businesses under the “adult entertainment” label.
This classification restricts tattoo businesses to industrial zones, which are limited in size and not ideally suited for customer-facing businesses like tattoo parlors.
Why This Ordinance Feels Out of Step with Today’s Culture
Tattoos Are Mainstream, Not Taboo
Axle highlights how perceptions around tattoos have changed dramatically in recent years. “It’s not 1995 anymore. It’s 2025 one in three Americans have tattoos now,” he said. “It’s no longer taboo. It’s becoming the norm.”
The idea of tattooing as something secretive or adult-only no longer reflects reality, and many argue that city regulations should evolve to match modern cultural standards.
Impact on Small Business Owners and the Community
The ordinance limits where tattoo artists can operate, which in turn affects their ability to grow their businesses and serve the community. Tattoo parlors often contribute to local economies by attracting visitors, supporting art culture, and creating jobs.
Restricting them to industrial zones can make these businesses less visible and harder for customers to access, putting local artists at a disadvantage compared to those working in neighboring cities.
Permanent Makeup Artists Face the Same Challenges
Interestingly, permanent makeup artists in Mt. Juliet face the same zoning restrictions as tattoo artists, as they fall under the same ordinance. Both groups are pushing for updates that would allow them to open shops in more commercially viable locations.
What’s Next for Mt. Juliet’s Tattoo Ordinance?
City Planning Commission to Review Ordinance
Despite these concerns from local artists, a city spokesperson said there are currently no proposed changes to the ordinance. However, any potential modifications would first need a recommendation from the Mt. Juliet Planning Commission before being approved by the city board.
The planning commission is set to meet next month, and these issues are expected to be on the agenda.
The Call for Change Is Growing
With more tattoo and permanent makeup artists speaking out, along with shifting public attitudes toward body art, many hope Mt. Juliet’s leaders will reconsider the ordinance. Updating these regulations could support local artists, modernize city zoning laws, and better reflect the community’s values in 2025.
Time for Mt. Juliet to Update Its Tattoo Ordinance
Eric Axle’s fight highlights a broader issue many communities face balancing outdated regulations with evolving cultural norms. Tattooing is no longer a niche or taboo industry, but an accepted and popular art form that contributes positively to communities.
For Mt. Juliet, revisiting the ordinance could open doors for local entrepreneurs and help the city stay in step with the times.
