Chapter 5.76
TATTOOING
Sections:
5.76.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject plainly requires otherwise, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the following meanings ascribed to them.
(1) “Tattoo” means any method of placing permanent designs, letters, scrolls, figures, symbols or any other marks into or under the skin with ink or dye, by the aid of needles or instruments, leaving a visible scar on the skin.
(2) “Body piercing” means to puncture any part of the skin or body tissue of a person with insertion of or to facilitate insertion of jewelry or ornaments which leaves a permanent or temporary perforation or hole in the skin or tissue of the person.
(3) “Person or entity” includes any individual, firm, partnership, trust, joint venture, association or corporation owning and/or operating a tattooing and/or body piercing business as herein defined.
(4) “Tattoo business” and/or “body piercing business” means any person or entity who provides, attempts to provide, sells and/or attempts to sell tattooing and/or body piercing services. (Ord. 2003-17 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 94-71 § 1, 1994: Ord. B-1262 § 1; June 25, 1951).
5.76.025 Age restrictions.
(1) Every person who applies a tattoo to any minor under the age of eighteen is guilty of a misdemeanor. It is not a defense to a violation of this section that the person applying the tattoo did not know the minor’s age, unless the person applying the tattoo establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that he or she made a reasonable, bona fide attempt to ascertain the true age of the minor by requiring production of a driver’s license or other picture identification card or paper and did not rely solely on the oral allegations or apparent age of the minor.
Medical procedures performed by a licensed physician are exempted from this section.
(2) Every person who pierces the ear or ears or other part or parts of the body of any minor under the age of eighteen without the personal or written consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian is guilty of a misdemeanor. It is not a defense to a violation of this section that the person performing the body piercing did not know the minor’s age, unless the person performing the piercing establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that he or she made a reasonable, bona fide attempt to ascertain the true age of the minor by requiring production of a driver’s license or other picture identification card or paper and did not rely solely on the oral allegations or apparent age of the minor, or in the case of purported consent, that a reasonable bona fide attempt was made to determine the identity of the parent or guardian and to ascertain the legitimacy of the consent.
Medical procedures performed by a licensed physician are exempted from this section. (Ord. 2003-17 § 1 (part), 2003: Ord. 2000-43 § 1, 2000; Ord. 94-71 § 2, 1994).