Bell Municipal Code Ch. 5.48 Fortunetelling

No person shall engage in the business or art of fortunetelling without first having obtained a permit therefor, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 4120)

Upon receipt of a written application for a permit, the chief of police shall conduct a background identification investigation. The chief shall issue such permits as requested, unless, as a result of such investigation, it is determined that the applicant or any person, including, but not limited to, any employee, who will be directly engaged or employed in the fortunetelling business, has suffered a final conviction, within the past five years, of a crime involving moral turpitude.

(Prior code § 4121)

The applicant shall pay to the city a one hundred dollar ($100.00) filing and processing fee contemporaneously with the filing of each application for a new permit and for a renewal of a permit.

(Prior code § 4122)

The permit issued pursuant to Section 5.48.010 shall be valid for one year following the date of issuance. The chief shall conduct annual background investigations in the manner provided in Section 5.48.020. Permits shall be issued unless the applicant has suffered a final conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude.

(Prior code § 4123)

Permits issued for the operation of a fortunetelling business shall be nontransferable.

(Prior code § 4124)

Any permit for a fortunetelling business shall be revoked by the city council if it is found, after hearing by the city council, that the permittee has suffered a final conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude.

(Prior code § 4125)

No person shall operate a fortunetelling business within 300 feet from a lot upon which another fortunetelling business, or an advertisement, defined as such in the zoning regulations, is located.

(Prior code § 4126)

No person shall offer, sell or give, or assist in the offering, selling or giving, of any fortunetelling service to any person under the age of 18 years, unless the parent or guardian of such minor person has consented thereto in writing.

(Prior code § 4127)

A. Each person engaged in fortunetelling shall post on his or her business permit a sign containing the following information:

1. The true name of the fortunetelling practitioner;

2. Each service provided by the fortunetelling practitioner;

3. The fees charged for each service provided by the fortunetelling practitioner;

4. The statement, "By law, this business is prohibited from charging or soliciting any fee, payment or remuneration in excess of the rates set forth herein."

B. The sign required by this section shall be prominently posted in the interior of the business premises at a location conspicuously visible to every person entering the premises. The sign lettering shall be of uniform size with each letter and number at least one-half inch in height.

C. No person shall charge any fee, payment, remuneration or item of value for fortunetelling services in excess of the rates or fees set forth on the sign required by this section.

(Prior code § 4128)