(Columbia-AP) Jan. 2, 2005 - Tattoo parlors will open this year in South Carolina, but a little-known quirk in the law means the parlors won't be allowed everywhere in the Palmetto State.

South Carolina Municipal Association Director Howard Duvall says tattoo shops can't open unless cities pass a local ordinance authorizing tattooing. Duvall says if there's no local ordinance allowing tattoo shops, people can't get a permit to open one.

Duvall says as far as he knows only Myrtle Beach and Loris have passed local laws specifically permitting tattoing. Duvall says his group has gotten few inquiries lately about the tattoo law.

The law requires tattoo shops to receive a license from the state Department of Health and Environment Control. But, DHEC won't issue any licenses until its regulations have gone through public hearings and legislative review.

The regulations set sanitation, safety and inspection standards for tattoo parlors. The regulations are scheduled to be submitted to the General Assembly in March.

Lawmakers can either approve or defeat the regulations, but they can't change them. If there is no action within 90 legislative days, the regulations automatically become law.

Posted 3:08pm by Chantelle Janelle