Covina : New Curbs on Fortunetellers

The City Council has adopted an ordinance that requires fortunetellers to comply with stringent regulations, including obtaining yearly business licenses costing $300. The new ordinance also will require each fortuneteller to post a $10,000 surety bond with the city and to pay a $75 fee for a background investigation by the police department. Applicants who meet these requirements still will not be able to set up shop until the city adopts zoning regulations for the businesses.

The Planning Commission will discuss zoning guidelines at its November meetings. City officials said the new laws are the result of a recent state Supreme Court decision that struck down municipal prohibitions against fortunetelling.