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Chapter 5.04 — FORTUNETELLING AND RELATED PRACTICES

Palos Verdes Estates Municipal Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Palos Verdes Estates

§ 5.04.010. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

  • A. “For pay” means for a fee, reward, donation, loan or receipt of anything of value.

  • B. “Fortunetelling” means and includes telling of fortunes, forecasting of future events or furnishing of any information not otherwise obtainable by the ordinary process of knowledge, by means of any occult or psychic power, faculty or force, including, but not limited to, clairvoyance, clairaudience, cartomancy, psychology, psychometry, phrenology, spirits, tea leaves or other such reading, mediumship, seership, prophecy, augury, astrology, palmistry, necromancy, mind-reading, telepathy, or other craft, art, science, cards, talisman, charm, potion, magnetism, magnetized article or substance, crystal gazing, or magic, of any kind or nature.

  • (Ord. 406 § 1, 1985; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)

§ 5.04.020. Permit – Required.

No person shall conduct, engage in, carry on, participate in, or practice fortunetelling or cause the same to be done for pay without having first obtained a fortunetelling permit. (Ord. 406 § 1, 1985; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)

§ 5.04.030. Permit – Application.

Every natural person who wishes, for pay, to conduct, engage in, carry on, or practice fortunetelling must file a separate verified application for a fortunetelling permit with the finance director. The application shall contain the following:

  • A. The name, home and business address, and home and business telephone number of the applicant;

  • B. The record of conviction for violations of the law, excluding minor traffic violations;

  • C. The fingerprints of the applicant on a form provided by the police department;

  • D. The address, city and state, and the approximate dates where and when the applicant practiced a similar business, either alone or in conjunction with others;

  • E. A nonrefundable fee to cover the city’s costs of processing of the application in an amount as established by resolution of the city council;

  • F. Any other such information reasonably required by the finance director. (Ord. 406 § 1, 1985; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)

§ 5.04.040. Permit – Investigation.

Upon the filing of the application, it shall be referred to the police department for investigation, report and recommendation. The investigation shall be conducted to verify the facts contained in the application and any supporting data. The investigation shall be completed and a report and recommendation made in writing to the finance director within fourteen days after the filing of

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City of Palos Verdes Estates, CA § 5.04.040

PALOS VERDES ESTATES CODE

§ 5.04.090

the application, unless the applicant requests or consents to an extension of the time period. If the report recommends denial of the permit to the applicant, the ground for the recommended denial shall be set forth therein. At the time of the filing of the report and recommendation with the finance director, a copy thereof shall be served personally or by certified mail on the applicant, accompanied by a notice to the applicant that he or she may request to be heard when the finance director considers the application and report.

(Ord. 406 § 1, 1985; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)

§ 5.04.050. Permit – Hearing and decision.

The finance director shall consider the application and the report and recommendation at a hearing held on or before the seventh day after filing of the report and recommendation referred to in PVEMC § 5.04.040. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given to all parties by the finance director at least three days prior to the hearing. The applicant for the permit shall be required to attend the hearing. Any interested party shall be heard upon a reasonable request. The decision of the finance director to grant or deny the permit or conditionally grant the permit shall be in writing, supported by substantial evidence and, if adverse to the applicant, shall contain findings of fact and a determination of the issues presented. Unless the applicant agrees in writing to an extension of time, the finance director shall make his or her order denying or granting or conditionally granting the permit within twenty-four hours after completion of the hearing on the application for a permit and shall notify the applicant of his or her action by personal service or certified mail.

(Ord. 406 § 1, 1985; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)

§ 5.04.060. Permit – Required findings.

The finance director shall grant the permit if he or she makes all the following findings:

  • A. All the information contained in the application and supporting data is true;

  • B. The applicant has not, within the previous two years, been convicted of any violation of this chapter or any law relating to fraud or moral turpitude;

  • C. The applicant appeared in person at the hearing; and

  • D. The applicant agrees to abide by and comply with all conditions of the permit and applicable laws.

(Ord. 406 § 1, 1985; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)

§ 5.04.070. Permit – Issuance.

If the finance director grants the permit, the officer shall thereafter issue the permit only after the applicant has paid the required business tax.

(Ord. 406 § 1, 1985; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)

§ 5.04.080. Permit – Term.

The term of the permit shall be for no more than the term of the business tax receipt as described in this chapter. A renewal application shall be filed no later than thirty days prior to the expiration of the permit and shall be processed in the same manner as a new application. (Ord. 406 § 1, 1985; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)

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City of Palos Verdes Estates, CA

BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

§ 5.04.090

§ 5.04.090

§ 5.04.090. Exemptions.

  • A. This chapter shall not apply to the licensed practice of psychology, psychotherapy, counseling, hypnotherapy or any other related licensed healing art regulated pursuant to the California Business and Professions Code.

  • B. This chapter shall not apply to any person engaged solely in the business of entertaining the public by demonstrations of mind-reading, mental telepathy, thought conveyance, or the giving of horoscopic readings at public places and in the presence of and within the hearing of all persons in attendance, and at which no questions are answered as part of such entertainment except in a manner to permit all persons present at such public place to hear such answers.

  • (Ord. 406 § 1, 1985; Ord. 701 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2012)

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City of Palos Verdes Estates, CA § 5.08.010

BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS

§ 5.08.030

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▸Contents — Palos Verdes Estates Municipal Code
Palos Verdes Estates Municipal Code
  1. Title 1
  2. Title 2
  3. Chapter 2.12 — POLICE DEPARTMENT
  4. Chapter 2.08 — CITY MANAGER
  5. Chapter 2.10 — FINANCE DIRECTOR
  6. Chapter 2.12 — POLICE DEPARTMENT
  7. Chapter 2.16 — POLICE DEPARTMENT RESERVE CORPS
  8. Chapter 2.24 — COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
  9. Chapter 2.28 — EMERGENCY SERVICES
  10. Chapter 2.32 — UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
  11. Chapter 2.36 — PERSONNEL AND EMPLOYMENT
  12. Chapter 2.38 — POST-EMPLOYMENT LOBBYING
  13. Title 3
  14. Chapter 3.00 — SPECIAL REAL PROPERTY TAX
  15. Chapter 3.04 — ASSESSMENT AND TAX COLLECTION
  16. Chapter 3.08 — SALES AND USE TAX
  17. Chapter 3.24 — PURCHASING SYSTEM
  18. Chapter 3.28 — TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT FUND
  19. Chapter 3.32 — CHARGE FOR SPECIAL POLICE SERVICES
  20. Chapter 3.36 — LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES SPECIAL TAX
  21. Title 5
  22. Chapter 5.04 — FORTUNETELLING AND RELATED PRACTICES
  23. Chapter 5.08 — PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS
  24. Chapter 5.16 — BUSINESS LICENSE TAX
  25. Chapter 5.20 — COMMERCIAL FILM PERMIT
  26. Chapter 5.25 — REAL PROPERTY RECORDS REPORT
  27. Title 6
  28. Chapter 6.04 — ANIMAL CONTROL GENERALLY
  29. Chapter 6.08 — REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO DOGS
  30. Chapter 6.12 — POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND VICIOUS DOGS
  31. Chapter 6.16 — VACCINATION
  32. Title 8
  33. Chapter 8.32
  34. Chapter 8.04 — HEALTH CODE
  35. Chapter 8.14
  36. Chapter 8.16 — GARBAGE AND RUBBISH
  37. Chapter 8.18 — SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
  38. Chapter 8.24 — HANG GLIDERS AND MODEL AIRCRAFT
  39. Chapter 8.32 — OUTDOOR BUSINESS LIGHTING
  40. Chapter 8.36 — SUBSTANDARD PREMISES
  41. Chapter 8.40
  42. Chapter 8.44 — WELLS AND MINES
  43. Chapter 8.52 — MOBILE SOURCE AIR POLLUTION REDUCTION
  44. Chapter 8.56 — SMOKING PROHIBITED
  45. Chapter 8.60 — FIREWORKS
  46. Title 9
  47. Chapter 9.04 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC DECENCY
  48. Chapter 9.05 — PICKETING
  49. Chapter 9.08 — CURFEW
  50. Chapter 9.12 — WEAPONS
  51. Chapter 9.16 — USE OF BEACHES
  52. Chapter 9.18 — SOCIAL HOST LIABILITY FOR PARTIES AT WHICH UNDE…
  53. Chapter 9.20
  54. Title 10
  55. Chapter 10.02 — PENALTIES
  56. Chapter 10.08 — TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION
  57. Chapter 10.12
  58. Chapter 10.16 — TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES
  59. Chapter 10.20 — ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS
  60. Chapter 10.24 — SPECIAL STOPS
  61. Chapter 10.28 — MISCELLANEOUS DRIVING RULES
  62. Chapter 10.32
  63. Chapter 10.36 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING – VENDING
  64. Chapter 10.40
  65. Chapter 10.44 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING – TIMES
  66. Chapter 10.48 — STOPPING FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING ONLY
  67. Chapter 10.52
  68. Chapter 10.60 — CONGESTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
  69. Title 12
  70. Chapter 12.04 — ENCROACHMENTS
  71. Chapter 12.12 — EXCAVATIONS
  72. Chapter 12.16 — STREET TREES
  73. Chapter 12.20 — STREET AND SIDEWALK USE RESTRICTIONS
  74. Chapter 12.24 — PARKS
  75. Chapter 12.32
  76. Title 13
  77. Chapter 13.08 — STORM DRAINS AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND POL…
  78. Chapter 13.12 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
  79. Chapter 13.14 — SANITARY SEWERS AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE
  80. Title 15
  81. Chapter 15.04
  82. Chapter 15.08 — ADMINISTRATION
  83. Chapter 15.12
  84. Chapter 15.20
  85. Chapter 15.50 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
  86. Title 16
  87. Chapter 16.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  88. Chapter 16.16 — DESIGN STANDARDS
  89. Chapter 16.16 — DESIGN STANDARDS
  90. Title 17
  91. Chapter 17.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  92. Chapter 17.10 — ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
  93. Chapter 17.20 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
  94. Chapter 17.22 — SITE PLAN PERMITS
  95. Chapter 17.36 — STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
  96. Chapter 17.40
  97. Chapter 17.44 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
  98. Title 18
  99. Chapter 18.55 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
  100. Chapter 18.32 — WALLS AND FENCES
  101. Chapter 18.36 — NEIGHBORHOOD COMPATIBILITY
  102. Chapter 18.37
  103. Chapter 18.39
  104. Chapter 18.40 — MIXED-USE OVERLAY (MU-O) ZONE
  105. Chapter 18.42 — HOME OCCUPATION
  106. Chapter 18.45 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
  107. Chapter 18.50 — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
  108. Chapter 18.60 — NONCOMMERCIAL ANTENNAS
  109. Chapter 18.64 — MOBILEHOME PARKS
  110. Chapter 18.72 — SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
  111. Chapter 18.73 — REGULATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA
  112. Title 19
  113. Chapter 19.01 — DEFINITIONS
  114. Chapter 19.02
  115. Title OL

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