Riverside County Board gives final OK for tattoo ordinance

[Brent Allen, Tattoo Network]

by Dave Downey 

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 Tuesday to adopt an ordinance that, for the first time, regulates the local tattoo and body piercing industry.

The measure establishes ground rules for the 103 body-art businesses spread throughout the county and the 193 practitioners working in them.

The rules are designed to prevent injury and the spread of disease.

After waiting several years for the state to adopt legislation setting forth ground rules but failing repeatedly, Riverside decided to follow the lead of other counties and take the matter into its own hands.

Supervisor Marion Ashley stepped out of the meeting temporarily and did not take part in the vote.