They are as ubiquitous as they are colorful, gracing almost every inch of his body. From his knuckles up through his neck and even behind his ears.

The heavy proliferation of tattoos — at least 63 upon last check — makes it very clear that Rodney Pendleton isn't exactly your average Peachtree City business owner. But he wants city leaders to get to know him before judging him and others who choose to decorate themselves with body art.

Joey Ivansco/AJC (ENLARGE)

Rodney Pendleton's dream of owning his own tattoo shop has at last become a reality, but strict regulations passed by Peachtree City could force him out of business.

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He suspects preconceived stereotypes are what fueled ordinances the City Council passed recently that could doom the tattoo parlor he opened this month at the Peachtree Crossings East shopping center, just behind the Chick-fil-A and McDonald's. Pendleton and his brother, Dave, own Area 54 Tattoos, the city's first ink emporium.

"It's discrimination," said Pendleton, 38. "I didn't know I was going to make so many people upset. I didn't know I was the source of everything that's wrong in the city.

"Just because I don't look like they do doesn't mean I don't have a right to the American Dream."

Chief among the rules the city established is the stipulation that a licensed doctor must perform the tattoos or be present for direct supervision. This figures to be a costly measure, Pendleton said.

Other regulations deal with shop cleanliness and hours of operation.

Council members cited possible health risks such as HIV and hepatitis — as well as an adverse effect on city property values — in unanimously passing the measures during a February meeting.

Because there are no state rules, supervision of the tattoo industry is left up to local governments, Peachtree City attorney Ted Meeker said.

Meeker said Peachtree City was simply taking "extra precaution."

"Obviously, public health and safety were primary factors," he said.

However, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday there have been no known cases in the United States linking the spread of HIV or hepatitis directly through tattoo parlors.

Mayor Harold Logsdon said Monday he held no preconceived stereotypes but noted that a person cannot give blood for a year after getting a tattoo.

"Absolutely not!" he said when asked whether he had a tattoo.

Pendleton, an Atlanta native who grew up in Kansas City, boasts 14 years of experience, first in Kansas City before stops in Marietta and Douglasville.

He said he's never seen such restrictive regulations nor envisioned this kind of trouble when he, his brother and father decided to invest $50,000 to chase their dream.

Peachtree City adopted the regulations after Pendleton had already acquired his business license.

He's hinted at legal action.

"I have a mortgage and three kids," Pendleton said. "I'm trying to raise a family. [City officials] have put the stereotype on it."

City officials modeled the ordinances, which will prevent other tattoo parlors from establishing operations in Peachtree City's more frequented retail areas, from rules covering unincorporated Fayette County.

Pendleton has received some unexpected support. About 50 Peachtree City residents have stopped by and pledged to attend an upcoming council meeting in June as a show of solidarity.

In the meantime, business continues to be good.

Danny Campbell was eating in the nearby Chick-fil-A when he first glimpsed the shop.

"I figured I might as well try it," the 59-year-old Barnesville resident said. "It looked like a nice area. That means a lot."

Pendleton hopes to win over city leaders as well.

"From a business standpoint, it's great to have no competition," he said. "But, on the same business standpoint, it's not such a great thing if you can't do business."