Council May Limit Tattoo, Piercing Shops

In a bid to keep tattoo and body-piercing establishments out of San Fernando, the City Council will consider an ordinance Monday that would require the trendy procedures to be “directly supervised” by a physician.

Mayor Raul Godinez II said that the ordinance was designed to ensure that piercing and tattoos are performed safely, but he also acknowledged that the council would like to make it prohibitively expensive for such businesses to operate in the city.

“Laws should reflect the values of a particular community. In San Fernando this is not something we want to encourage,” Godinez said.

“We’re not saying you can’t do this, we’re just saying we don’t want it in San Fernando.”

In October, Gov. Pete Wilson signed legislation that will take effect on Jan. 1 making it illegal to pierce youths under 18 unless a parent is present or provides written permission.

The new state law also establishes guidelines for sterilization and the handling of instruments. Like the proposed San Fernando ordinance, the state law does not apply to ear piercing.

Although San Fernando’s lone tattoo and piercing establishment closed this year, Godinez said the business left a lasting impression on residents and the council.

Chubb’s Clothing and Record Shop, which also sold water pipes and other drug paraphernalia, was located on Brand Street close to a middle school and two family centers.

“The parents and professionals who worked with the at-risk youth at these centers were outraged that this store was right in their children’s path,” Godinez said.

In response to the concern over Chubb’s, in May the council approved a moratorium on the opening of tattoo or body-piercing establishments until the city passed an ordinance governing their practices.

Violators of the proposed ordinance would be charged with a misdemeanor and face fines of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.