Reason #1467 I Don't Live In California

And I thought I hated my homeowner's association...

A southern California couple has been fined $300 dollars for holding Christian Bible study sessions in their home, and could face another $500 for each additional gathering.

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.

I know, it's not their HOA, it's just another asinine local governmental body thathas too much time on its hands and too many lawyers telling them they can't bend the rules, lest they face a lawsuit from whatever busybody neighbor called the cops and complained in the first place.  I don't care if the Fromms want to have weekly orgies in their homes -- they shouldn't need to go through an expensive licensing process to do so.  If their guests are keeping the noise to a minimum, and in compliance with all local parking regulations, why should anyone care?  And if the problem is the latter, ticket and tow them.

My solution, since this is California: tell them everyone's getting together to smoke pot.  Or have the whole congregation marry one another, and assert that you can't keep a family apart.