WATSONVILLE, Calif. -- In Watsonville, the fight over tattoo parlors may be heading to court after city leaders voted to uphold a decades-old ban on body art.

A civil rights attorney plans to challenge the constitutionality of a 45-year-old city ordinance that only allows tattoos to be performed in the presence of a physician.

Some supporters of the ban said, "If you want a tattoo, go to Santa Cruz."

However, others contend the ban violates freedom of speech rights.

Action News has learned that the body art ordinance includes several strict regulations. It requires facilities to operate at least 300 feet from a liquor store or bar and 500 feet from a school, park, playground or other tattoo shop, and it bans facilities from high crime areas.

Stay with Action News for the latest updates in this developing story.