The tattoo industry in Nova Scotia isn't regulated. (CBC)

Tattoo shops should be banned from Dartmouth, N.S., homes, a regional councillor says.

Darren Fisher wants tattoo parlors added to a list of businesses that cannot be operated out of a residence in his community.

He said he's reacting to complaints from constituents.

"I don't think I would be really happy if there was a tattoo parlour in my neighbourhood," he said. "I'm perfectly fine with them in commercial areas. They certainly don't belong in residential areas, in my personal opinion."

A report to Halifax regional council, prepared by municipal staff, questions whether it's safe to dispose of needles and other waste in residential garbage pickup.

That leaves Fisher with more questions.

"Very likely these places operate amazingly clean businesses. But there's no way really, in my opinion, of knowing exactly what ends up at the curb. Maybe a dog or a crow gets into it," he said.

'Prejudice and stereotyping'

Tattoo artist Terry Pecarski doubts garbage is the issue. He suspects his industry is falling victim to old-fashioned attitudes.

"All our sharps are disposed of in sharps containers. Anything that's a biohazard is disposed of at the dump," said Pecarski, who runs Inksane Art Studio out of his basement on Major Street. "I think it's prejudice and stereotyping."

Pecarski said tattooing is socially acceptable now and that he has all kinds of clients, from lawyers to police officers.

The proposed change to the Dartmouth land use bylaw wouldn't affect existing businesses.

A public hearing on Fisher's suggestion will be held next week.

No regulation

Unlike most provinces, Nova Scotia doesn't regulate the tattoo and piercing industry. Anyone can open a studio. There is no certification process, no licensing and no inspections.

Many tattoo artists argue the practice should be licensed.

At last month's tattoo show in Halifax, artists were required to get certification through a private company that teaches tattoo and piercing cleanliness to the industry in an eight-hour seminar followed by an exam.

About 250 artists have been certified in the four years the festival has been running.