Norwalk : Fortune-Telling Regulated

The City Council approved an ordinance regulating fortune-telling businesses and set a fee schedule for those enterprises. The ordinance will go into effect Oct. 22.

The council also extended a moratorium on such businesses that was due to expire Oct. 15. The extension will expire when the ordinance takes effect.

The business license tax for a fortune-telling business--which would be allowed only in commercial zones--was set at $65. A permit will cost $550 and the applicant must undergo a background check by the Sheriff’s Department. The city is also requiring that a $10,000 bond be posted.

The city had prohibited fortune-telling businesses, but such prohibitions were ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court. Norwalk then approved a moratorium on such businesses until regulations could be written.