Council OKs Tougher Tattoo, Piercing Law
Following through on its bid to keep tattoo and body-piercing establishments out of San Fernando, the City Council on Monday voted to require that the procedures be supervised by a licensed physician.
With no residents coming forward to speak against the ordinance, the council unanimously adopted the new law, establishing what are believed to be the toughest rules governing the trendy body enhancements in Southern California.
While some council members said that the ordinance was designed to ensure that tattoos and piercings are performed under the safest possible conditions, they also acknowledged that it would probably make it prohibitively expensive for such businesses to operate in the city.
San Fernando’s lone tattoo and body-piercing establishment went out of business earlier this year. New establishments will be required to obtain a permit from the city and employ a “licensed physician who will perform or supervise the tattoo or piercing,” according to the ordinance.
On Jan. 1, a state law will go into effect making it illegal to pierce anyone under 18 unless a parent is present or provides written permission. Like the San Fernando ordinance, the state law does not apply to ear piercing.
Violators of the new ordinance face a misdemeanor charge that carries maximum fines of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.
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