Laguna Beach : Council May Overturn Ban on Fortunetelling

Palm reading and Tarot cards soon may be as common in Laguna Beach as volley ball and sunbathing if a measure to abolish laws prohibiting fortunetelling receives City Council approval tonight.

Laguna Beach, like many cities, prohibits fortunetelling except when it is “an integral part” of one’s religion, said City Atty. Phil Kohn. However, because of a California Supreme Court decision two weeks ago overturning such laws, he said, the council will consider dropping statutes forbidding fortunetelling.

Because the measure to be introduced is an emergency ordinance, passage would require a majority of four of Laguna Beach’s five council members and the changes would become effective immediately, Kohn said.

Terry Hone, a business license supervisor, said she already has received “lots and lots” of inquiries from people interested in opening fortunetelling parlors. No applications will be processed, however, until after the council’s action, she said.