Rule Restricting At-Home Bible Studies to Get Second Look

After , city officials will look Tuesday at whether at-home gatherings like bible studies should require special permits.

Currently, religious, fraternity and non-profit organizations need permits to assemble in San Juan Capistrano's residential zones. That rule came under fire in September when the Capistrano Dispatch reported that the publisher of Worship Leader, a Christian magazine, was fined for hosting bible studies at his home on Branding Iron Road.

The fine came after . The weekly gatherings, which reportedly drew up to 50 people, bothered one neighbor who reported to the city that there were parking and traffic problems in the Mission Hills community as a result.

Now, staffers in the city's planning department are asking the Planning Commission to define "religious organization" in the city's municipal code.

"Staff requests that the Planning Commission review the Land Use Code provisions concerning assembly and organization uses to provide clarity as to where such uses are permitted, conditionally permitted or prohibited," planner Bill Ramsey wrote in a report to the commission.

Ramsey also noted that the land use code also doesn't define either a "'fraternal organization' or a 'nonprofit organization' despite these terms being listed as 'uses' within certain zone districts.'"

The Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in at 32400 Paseo Adelanto.