REDWOOD CITY -- Tattoo artists and body piercers will come under increased scrutiny from county lawmakers and health officials following the unanimous passage Tuesday of an ordinance aimed at regulating an increasingly mainstream activity.

The ordinance will expose some 50 businesses throughout the county to unannounced inspections from the health department at least once a year.

But no one is up in arms -- body artists spoke in support of the ordinance at the Board of Supervisors meeting that voted it in as well as at earlier meetings, said County Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson, who added that body artists have worked with the county health department to help formulate the ordinance from the start.

"This is something we're doing to be more proactive rather than reactive," Jacobs Gibson said.

While the San Mateo County Health Department earlier reported that it receives numerous complaints each year regarding shoddy body art and piercing operations ranging from potential Hepatitis B transmission, unsanitary equipment, the use of old needles and piercing a minor, the ordinance "didn't occur as a result of an epidemic of people having a disease," said Jacobs Gibson.

Rather, city officials and body artists alike see the potential benefits of having more information at hand about artists and the work they perform on each client.

"They're pleased," said Jacobs Gibson of the artists, who said "those practicing body art spoke in support of safe practices. They see the benefit as well ... They see the need for safety and for identifying the people they have as clients."

The ordinance can pass into law once it has received two readings, said Jacobs Gibson, adding that this could be "within a month."

The ordinance will require body art practitioners to provide and keep on file for two years personal and business information. Businesses will also be required to "maintain proper records for each client," including the consent forms, the date and type of the procedure and personal information such as the client's name, age, current address, said Jacobs Gibson.