This is HORRIBLE.
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/09/22/couple-hit-with-fines-for-holding-a-bible-study-in-their-home/
City officials in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. say Chuck and Stephanie Fromm are in violation of municipal code 9-3.301, which prohibits “religious, fraternal or non-profit” organizations in residential neighborhoods without a permit. Stephanie hosts a Wednesday Bible study that draws about 20 attendees, and Chuck holds a Sunday service that gets about 50.
The Fromms appealed their citations but were denied and warned future sessions would carry heftier penalties. A statement from the Pacific Justice Institute, which is defending the couple in a lawsuit against the city, said Chuck Fromm was also told regular gatherings of three or more people require a conditional use permit, which can be costly and difficult to obtain.
polination.blog 
Oh dear, hope they don’t find out about my husband’s friendly poker group that’s met every Thursday for 25 years ! Though that’s just 8 guys.
Hosting 20-50 people twice a week in your home would probably create some neighborhood traffic problems? I wouldn’t want it next door to me. I don’t think it has anything to do with religion.
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I was wondering that too, Denise. If the crowd is large and everyone is parking on the street, I can see why this would be a problem. Although, if that were the case, one has to wonder why you can only have a gathering of 3 and any more than that you need a permit.
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My first thought also, but I was imagining that many on my street where 25 cars (avg 2 per) would be a major nuisance. But the article says their property is such that parking and noise are not a problem.
And that 3 or more ordinance is for the birds! Smells a lot to me like someone setting up an opportunity to swoop in and do exactly this. It sounds awful but we actually saw this happen in Ithaca, NY, where they passed a noise ordinance that was so ridiculous, everyone with a beeping cell phone was in violation.
But it was ONLY enforced against a minister speaking to folks on the Commons. He fought it and won, to the tune of $100,000 in fines to the citizens. Then, unbelievably, the city police DID IT AGAIN. This time, the minister (a friend of the first guy) had a copy of the court ruling in his pocket, which he SHOWED to the officers.
They arrested him anyway. Next thing, the city’s been hit with another $8,000 fine and the mayor is claiming it was all a misunderstanding and that “nobody” meant to deny anyone’s right to free speech. Suuuure. And I’ve got a great bridge project that is all shovel ready.
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The Wall Street protest this week has caused arrests and the left is screaming freedom of speech violations. Depending on which (left/right) blogs you read, the “Day of Rage” peeps failed to get permits. Bottom line. And yes, I’m a weenie, when I did “protests” and “peace marches”, I made sure the group I was joining had a permit. Much like the Tea Party rallies need one too. And if my neighbor invited 20-50 over every week to rally, I would be fussed.
It’s not about religion, it’s about how local codes are set up to protect our neighbors. This is not about religion.
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3 or more should include Mommy groups then? But those usually rotate around the Mommy homes. 3 or more would certainly include guys who get together for football watching parties every Sat or Sun? And it’s usually at the guy with the biggest t.v.’s house 😉
I’m certainly going to look into our codes now. I mean, just having friends over every week shouldn’t require a permit?
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