Redlands Municipal Code Ch. 5.20 Fortune Telling, Palmistry, Etc

It is unlawful for any person, in exchange for any fee or consideration, to practice the art or business of fortune telling, predicting or foretelling the future, or to furnish any information not otherwise obtainable by the ordinary process of knowledge, by means of analyzing any animate or inanimate objects including, but not limited to, celestial bodies, crystal balls, tea leaves, or playing or other cards, or through the exercise of any purported psychic, mediumistic, prophetic, occult, clairvoyant, or supernatural powers without having first applied for and received the city license as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 1935 § 1, 1986: prior code § 2391)

Each license to practice or engage in the conduct described in section 5.20.010 of this chapter shall be applied for by permit which contains the following information:

A. The business name and address, mailing address, and home and business telephone numbers 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. The type of ownership of the business and the owners or principal officers of the business;

F. The estimated gross receipts of the business through the end of the calendar year. (Ord. 1935 § 1, 1986: prior code § 2392)

Upon filing, the application shall be referred to the police department for investigation to verify the facts contained in the application and any supporting data. The police department shall report its findings to the city's finance director or the director's designee and shall recommend approval or denial of the license. A report recommending denial shall set forth the grounds for the recommendation, and a copy shall be provided to the applicant. (Ord. 2718 § 12, 2009)

The city's finance director, or the director's designee, shall approve the business license upon the determination that:

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

B. The applicant has not, within the previous two (2) years, been convicted of any violation of this chapter or any law relating to fraud or moral turpitude. (Ord. 2684 § 6, 2007: Ord. 1935 § 1, 1986: prior code § 2394)

An approved business license shall be issued to the applicant upon payment of the first annual license fee and posting of a bond in the principal amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00), executed by the applicant as principal and by a good and sufficient corporate surety authorized to do business in California, in a form approved by the city attorney. The bond shall ensure good faith and fair dealing by the applicant and shall provide a guarantee of indemnity for any and all loss, damage or deprivation suffered by any patron of the applicant in the conduct of his business. (Ord. 1935 § 1, 1986: prior code § 2395)

The applicant shall pay an annual business license fee for practicing fortune telling and related activities as described herein in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per year. (Ord. 1935 § 1, 1986: prior code § 2396)

Fortune telling and related activities as described in this chapter may be conducted only within the C-3, C-4, C-M, M-P, M-1, I-P, and M-2 zones of the city. (Ord. 1935 § 1, 1986: prior code § 2397)