Chapter 5.44 — FORTUNE TELLING

Every person who carries on, practices or professes to practice the business or art of astrology, phrenology, life reading, fortune telling, cartomancy, clairvoyance, clair-audience, crystal gazing, mediumship, mesmerism, oriental mysteries, palmistry, spirit photography, spirit writing, spirit voices, spirit materialization, etherealization, numerology, physiognomy, psychometry, seership, prophecy, augury, divination, magic or necromancy, or other similar art or business, and demands or receives directly or indirectly a fee or reward, or who accepts any donation for the exercise or exhibition of his art therein, or who gives an exhibition thereof at any place where an admission fee, donation or reward is charged or received, directly or indirectly, or who teaches or gives instruction in any such art or business and demands or receives, directly or indirectly, a fee or reward, or who accepts any donation for such teaching or instruction is guilty of a misdemeanor. [Ord. No. 26, § 1, adopted 5/26/71; Ord. 462, Section 3, 5/9/07.]

Every person who, by means of occult or psychic powers, faculties or forces, spirits, cards, talismans, charms, potions, magnetism or magnetized articles or substances, oriental mysteries or any craft or art described in Section 5.44.010 or similar art or craft, purports or does, find or restore lost or stolen property, locate oil wells, gold or silver or other ore or metal or natural product, restore lost love or friendship or affection, unite or procure lovers, husbands, wives, lost relatives or friends, or by such means gives any counseling or advise whatsoever, and who demands or receives directly or indirectly a fee or reward, or who accepts any donation therefor, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

[Ord. No. 26, § 2, adopted 5/26/71; Ord. 462, Section 3, 5/9/07.]

Every person who advertises by sign, circular, handbill or in any newspaper, periodical or magazine, or any other publication of publications, or by any other means, that he will do anything which is prohibited by this Title is guilty of a misdemeanor.

[Ord. No. 26, § 3, adopted 5/26/71; Ord. 462, Section 3, 5/9/07.]

The provisions of this Title shall not be construed to include, prohibit or interfere with the exercise of any religious or spiritual function of

any priest, minister, rector or any accredited representative of any bona fide church or religion where such priest, minister, rector or any accredited representative holds a certificate of credit, commission or ordination under the ecclesiastical laws of a religious corporation, incorporated under the laws of any state or territory of the United States of America, or any voluntary religious association, and who fully conforms to the rites and practices prescribed by the supreme conferences, convocation, convention, assembly, association or synod of the system or faith with which they are affiliated. Provided, however, that any church or religious organization which is organized for the primary purpose of conferring certificates of commission, credit or ordination for a price, and not primarily for the purpose of teaching and practicing a religious doctrine or belief, shall not be deemed to be a bona fide church or religious organization. This Title shall not apply to any magician practicing his business or art for the purpose of entertainment or amusement. The provisions of this Title shall not apply to any physician, surgeon, psychologist or dentist licensed under the Business and Professions Code of the State of California.

[Ord. No. 26, § 4, adopted 5/26/71; Ord. 462, Section 3, 5/9/07.]

A violation of this Chapter or any provision thereof shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment not exceeding six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

[Ord. No. 26, Section 5, adopted 5/26/71; Ord. 462, Section 3, 5/9/07.]