South Portland will not establish its own set of rules for tattoo and body piercing establishments, following a split decision by the City Council last night.

The state of Maine already has its own licensing requirements for such establishments. Councilors in South Portland have debated adding their own rules to complement the state's. The discussion arose in May after two tattoo artists expressed an interest in opening a shop off Broadway.

The proposed ordinance would have required artists to obtain licenses from the city as well as the state. It also would have set several standards which, if violated, would be grounds for suspension or revocation of a license.

The ordinance passed a first reading on Nov. 17. But last night councilors voted 4-3 against the ordinance.

Councilors Tom Blake, Tom Coward, Patti Smith and Jim Hughes voted against the ordinance, according to the City Clerk's Office. Councilors Maxine Beecher, Linda Boudreau and Jim Soule voted in favor.

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