In speaking with a colleague regarding the young boy in Fresno who was tattooed with a dog paw as a gang marking, there was mention that if under 18 a young person could obtain permission from a parent or legal guardian to get a tattoo. I was sure this was not the case.

To clear the air, I looked up the California Penal Code in regards to tattooing minors, and in fact it is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 with or without parental permission.

"California Penal Code 653.  Every person who tattoos or offers to tattoo a person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor.
   As used in this section, to "tattoo" means to insert pigment under the surface of the skin of a human being, by pricking with a needle or otherwise, so as to produce an indelible mark or figure visible through the skin.
   This section is not intended to apply to any act of a licensed practitioner of the healing arts performed in the course of his practice."

Unlike body piercing in California, which allows for notarized parental consent or in the presence of a parent for a minor to receive the service - tattoos make no such exception.