9.010 De8nitions.

As used in this chapter, the following words, phrases, and terms shall have the following meanings:

A. Cardroom. Any room open to the public for the lawful playing of cards, regardless of whether the tables,

chairs, and other furniture and Mxtures are temporary or permanent or at times used for other purposes.

B. Chief of Police. The Chief of Police of the City or his authorized representative.

C. City. The City of Petaluma, California.

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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D. Conducted. Shall include the terms “operated”, “engaged in”, “allowed”, “permitted” and “suPered” within its

meaning.

E. Conviction. A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere. The record of

conviction of the crime shall be conclusive evidence of the fact that the conviction occurred, but only of that fact,

and the Chief of Police may inquire into the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime for purposes

of applying the provisions of this ordinance.

F. Dealer. Any individual dealing a gambling game, or who operates or manages such game or games on a

premises authorized under this chapter.

G. Exempt Organization. A nonproMt society, club, fraternal, labor, or other organization having adopted bylaws,

duly elected oOcers and/or directors, and a bona Mde membership which has applied for and obtained tax

exempt status as an exempt organization from the Franchise Tax Board of the State of California and the Internal

Revenue Service under the Internal Revenue Code of the United States.

H. Financial Interest. Any direct or indirect interest in the management, operation, ownership, proMts or revenue

(gross or net) of a gaming club. A “direct Mnancial interest” means a monetary investment in a gaming club or the

premises and business enterprises directly related to it. An “indirect Mnancial interest” means owning one percent

(1%) or more of any entity, i.e., any business, corporation, partnership or trust, that in turn has a direct Mnancial

interest in a cardroom. The following are examples of indirect Mnancial interests:

1. The stock or other securities of a corporation that owns a cardroom.

2. A partnership interest in a partnership that owns a cardroom.

3. The interests of either or both the income beneMciaries or remaindermen of a revocable or irrevocable

trust that owns a cardroom or holds a Mnancial interest in one.

4. Any lease or other rental agreement with a cardroom as a lessee or renter, the rental for which is based

in any part on the proMts or revenue (gross or net) of the cardroom.

5. Any loan made by a private lender to a cardroom.

6. Any other interest in the management, operation, proMt, revenue (gross or net) of a cardroom.

I. Gambling. The playing, for money or chips representing money, or for any other thing of value, of those card

games which are not unlawful under the laws of the State of California.

J. Gambling Licensee. Any person or persons who are currently licensed under Chapter 6.20 of the Petaluma

Municipal Code.

K. Hours of operation. The hours that a cardroom may operate. A cardroom may operate 24 hours a day, seven

days a week, or as authorized by the individual conditional use permit.

L. House Player. An employee engaged, Mnanced, or paid by the licensee for the purpose of starting and/or

maintaining a suOcient number of players in a card game.

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

Ch. 9 Cardroom Establishments | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance Page 3 of 12

M. Interested Person. Any member, stockholder, oOcer, director, partner, principal, associate, individual, trustee,

or combination thereof holding any Mnancial interest in a licensee, or who has the power to exercise inNuence

over the operation of a cardroom or a licensee.

N. Legal Gaming. Any game played with cards or other similar devices for currency, check, credit or other thing of

value which is not prohibited and made unlawful by Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 319) or Chapter 10

(commencing with Section 330) of Title 9 of Part 1 of the Penal Code.

O. License. The license issued under Chapter 6.20 of the Petaluma Municipal Code by the City to an applicant

permitting the operation of a cardroom owned by the applicant.

P. Licensee. The individual or entity that owns a cardroom and to whom a license to operate a cardroom has

been issued by the City.

Q. Manager. Anyone who represents the interest of the licensee in the operation of a cardroom, whose duties

include but may not be limited to: (1) the making or changing of policy; (2) approving credit; (3) hiring or Mring of

employees; (4) generally exercising independent judgment in the operation of the cardroom. A manager need not

have a Mnancial interest in the cardroom. A manager must be an employee of the licensee, or if not an employee,

then a person having a Mnancial interest as a partner, a shareholder, or trustee of the cardroom (but not

otherwise).

R. Organized Crime. A structured criminal syndicate composed of professional criminals who primarily rely on

unlawful activity as a way of life.

S. Person. Includes individual, partnership, corporation, association, club, Mrm, or entity of any character

whatsoever.

T. Patron Safety and Security Plan. The document which describes the methods that are implemented and

qualiMcations of the permanent staP and use of contract personnel hired by the cardroom owners, operators, or

managers to provide for the safety and security of the cardroom patrons.

U. Private Lender. Any person other than a state or federally regulated bank or savings and loan association, a

credit union, any other recognized Mnancial institution doing business with the public, that has loaned or

advanced, or is obligated to loan or advance money to a cardroom if either the payment of interest or principal of

such loan is based in any part on the proMts or revenue (gross or net) of the cardroom, or by virtue of the loan,

such person has the power to exercise inNuence over the operation of a cardroom.

V. Quali-ed Transferor. (1) a person, partnership, or corporation holding a cardroom license; (2) a person holding

stock in a corporate licensee; and/or (3) a person having a partnership interest in a partnership license.

W. Registrant. Any person who has Mled an application under the Registration Gambling Control Act of California

(California Business and Professions Code, Subsection 19800 et seq) hereafter “Gambling Control Act”.

X. Transfer of a Financial Interest. The assignment, bequest, conveyance, demise, devise, gift, grant, lease, loan,

sublease, or transfer of a Mnancial interest in a cardroom.

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

Ch. 9 Cardroom Establishments | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance Page 4 of 12

Y. Transfer of a License. The assignment, bequest, conveyance, demise, gift, grant, lease, loan, sublease or

transfer of a cardroom license.

Z. Wagering Limits. The minimum and maximum amount that may be used for betting purposes for any game

played within the cardroom. There are no wagering limits established by this ordinance for purposes of Business

and Professions Code section 19860. A minimum of two signs are to be clearly and prominently posted within the

cardroom and one sign on each table where a card game is being played stating the minimum and maximum

betting amount.