Repeal Municipal Code 9-3.301

The Issue

This city ordinance prohibits “religious, fraternal or non-profit” organizations in residential neighborhoods without a permit, which can be conditional, expensive and difficult to obtain. A couple in San Juan Capistrano was fined over $300 (and possibly $500 more per gathering) for violating this ordinance because they were holding private Bible studies in their own home. Citizens shouldn't have to pay the government for choosing to have any type of gathering in their own home, as long as it is legal, especially fraternal, non-profit or religious gatherings. San Juan Capistrano has deep religious roots. San Juan Capistrano is the site of a Catholic mission for which it is named, Mission San Juan Capistrano, which was founded in 1776. It is a shame that in a country that advocates FREEdom of religion, some citizens can't even exercise this right in the privacy of their own homes without being taxed for it! For a city with a slogan of "Preserving the past to enhance the future," they must've forgotten forgotten the importance of the past that they aren't preserving very well. Instead, they are now charging the city's citizens for it!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/california-city-fines-couple-for-holding-bible-study-in-their-home/

This petition had 47 supporters

The Issue

This city ordinance prohibits “religious, fraternal or non-profit” organizations in residential neighborhoods without a permit, which can be conditional, expensive and difficult to obtain. A couple in San Juan Capistrano was fined over $300 (and possibly $500 more per gathering) for violating this ordinance because they were holding private Bible studies in their own home. Citizens shouldn't have to pay the government for choosing to have any type of gathering in their own home, as long as it is legal, especially fraternal, non-profit or religious gatherings. San Juan Capistrano has deep religious roots. San Juan Capistrano is the site of a Catholic mission for which it is named, Mission San Juan Capistrano, which was founded in 1776. It is a shame that in a country that advocates FREEdom of religion, some citizens can't even exercise this right in the privacy of their own homes without being taxed for it! For a city with a slogan of "Preserving the past to enhance the future," they must've forgotten forgotten the importance of the past that they aren't preserving very well. Instead, they are now charging the city's citizens for it!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/california-city-fines-couple-for-holding-bible-study-in-their-home/

The Decision Makers

Former U.S. Senate
2 Members
Barbara Boxer
Former US Senate - California
Dianne Feinstein
Former US Senate - California
Former State Senate
3 Members
Brian W. Jones
Former State Senate - California-38
Ricardo Lara
Former State Senate - California-33
Mark Wyland
Former State Senate - California-38
Former U.S. House of Representatives
12 Members
John Campbell
Former US House of Representatives - California-45
Jackie Speier
Former US House of Representatives - California-14
Kevin McCarthy
Former US House of Representatives - California-23
Maxine Waters
U.S. House of Representatives - California 43rd Congressional District
Diane Harkey
Former State House of Representatives - California-73

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Petition created on October 4, 2011