# Division 5. Fortunetelling and Other Similar Practices Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted. ## Division 5. Fortunetelling and Other Similar Practices ### Sec. 5-155. Definitions Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-155 (2026) (a) For the purposes of this Division the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section. (1) Certified psychologist. Such term shall have the same meaning as set out in Title 18, Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. (2) Director. The Director of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement or the Director's designee. (3) Fortunetelling and Similar Practice. Any attempt to tell fortunes or predict the future, for pay, by means of occult or psychic powers, faculties or forces, necromancy, palmistry, psychology, psychic psychometry, spirits, mediumship, seership, prophecy, cards, talismans, sorcery, charms, potions, magnetism or magnetized articles or substances, tea leaves, magic of any kind or nature, numerology or any other similar means, occupations, callings, or professions, businesses, trades, arts, crafts and devices. (4) His. The word "his" shall mean both masculine and feminine gender. (5) License. A certificate issued by the Director or his designee to a person, as defined herein, enabling such person to engage in the business of fortunetelling and similar practices as heretofore defined. (6) Person. An individual, and not an association, firm, partnership or corporation of any kind. (7) Psychologist. Such term shall have the meaning used in Section 18-101, Health-General Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. ### Sec. 5-156. Licensing Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-156 (2026) (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to charge any price of admission or to extract a fee for any act done or information or advice given or service rendered of any kind or character in regard to fortunetelling and similar practices as heretofore defined; or, to advertise or hold themselves out as being proficient in or being engaged in such occupation, calling, profession, business, trade, art, craft, or device for public or private patronage unless and until a license is obtained from the Director or his designee. (b) Nothing herein, however, shall be construed to include, interfere with, prohibit, regulate, or subject to licensure the exercise of any religious or spiritual function of any priest, minister, rector or accredited representative of any bona fide church or religion where such priest, minister, rector or accredited representative holds a certificate of credit, commission or ordination under the ecclesiastical laws of a religious corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland or any other state or territory of the United States of America, or any voluntary religious association, and who fully conforms to the rites and practices prescribed by the supreme conference, convocation, convention, assembly, association or synod of the system or faith with which they are affiliated, provided, however, that any church or religious organization which is organized for the primary purpose of conferring certificates of commission, credit or ordination for a fee or price and not primarily for the practice of teaching and practicing a religious doctrine or belief, shall not be deemed to be a bona fide church or religious organization. (c) Any psychologist as heretofore defined who is a certified psychologist shall be exempted from all provisions of this Section. (d) The total number of licenses that may be currently outstanding shall not exceed one (1) for each eighty thousand (80,000) residents as reported in the latest U.S. Decennial Census and not more than two (2) licenses may be issued to members of the same family. Families for the purposes of this Section shall be defined as husband, wife, mother, father, brother, sister, son, and daughter. This Act shall not be construed to revoke or prevent renewal of a license where more than two (2) have been issued to members of any family on or prior to the effective date of this Act. However, no additional licenses shall be issued to members of said family until the number of licenses issued is less than two (2). (e) After January 1, 1983, a license shall not be issued for any location within a municipality which has an ordinance in effect prohibiting fortunetelling. This Subsection shall not apply to the renewal of any license within such municipality in effect as of the date of the passage of this Act. ### Sec. 5-157. Applications Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-157 (2026) (a) Applications for a license to engage in fortunetelling and similar practices as heretofore defined by this Division shall be filed with the Director or his designee, in writing, on a form prescribed by the Director or his designee. (b) In addition to such other information as the Director or his designee may reasonably deem necessary for purposes of the implementation administration, and enforcement of this Division, the application shall state or be accompanied by the following: (1) The name, local and permanent address, age, weight, height, color of hair and eyes, and any other distinguishing physical characteristics of the applicant. (2) A legal description or address of the specific location used or proposed to be used in the operation or business of fortunetelling and similar practices as heretofore defined. (3) Three prints of recent and clear photographs, 2" × 2" in size, showing the head and shoulders of the applicant; and provided further, that one (1) of said photographs shall be permanently affixed to the face of any license certificate issued under this Division. (4) A statement as to whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, other than a motor vehicle violation pursuant to the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, and, if so, the nature of the offense, when and where convicted, and the penalty or punishment imposed therefor. (5) The names of at least three (3) references, unrelated to the applicant, who will certify as to the applicant's good character and business responsibility. (c) Every application shall be signed and certified that the information given thereon is true and correct. The signature shall be that of the applicant. (d) In addition, no license shall be issued by the Director or his designee, unless and until there is presented to the Director or his designee, a certificate issued by the Bureau of Assessments showing that there are no unpaid taxes on the taxable tangible business personal property of the applicant due to the State of Maryland or Prince George's County. ### Sec. 5-158. Fingerprinting and photographing of applicants Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-158 (2026) Every applicant for a license for purposes of fortunetelling and similar practices as heretofore defined shall be fingerprinted and photographed by the Prince George's County Police Department; and, said fingerprints and photographs shall be maintained in the regular and ordinary course of business of said police department. ### Sec. 5-159. Display of license required Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-159 (2026) Each license issued under this Division shall be conspicuously displayed at all times in the licensee's place of business. ### Sec. 5-159.01. Expiration date of license Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-159.01 (2026) A license or approval is valid from one year from the date of issuance unless revoked or suspended or otherwise terminated, and shall be renewed from year to year upon application and payment of the annual fee. ### Sec. 5-160. Fee Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-160 (2026) A fee as prescribed in the Table of Fees shall be paid by an applicant when the initial application for a license is filed; thereafter, unless the license is denied, suspended, revoked, or otherwise terminated, the license shall be renewed annually upon the payment of the license fee prescribed in the Table of Fees. ### Sec. 5-161. Nontransferability of license Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-161 (2026) A license shall not be transferable and any attempt to so transfer a license shall void the license. ### Sec. 5-162. Notification of legal proceedings Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-162 (2026) Every licensee shall report in writing to the Director or his designee, any legal proceeding within ten (10) days from the date of notice to the licensee, if such proceeding relates to the business of "fortunetelling and similar practices" as heretofore defined. ### Sec. 5-163. Operation in conformity with Zoning Ordinance Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-163 (2026) All licenses issued pursuant to this Division shall be issued for use on the specific property designated in the application and shall at the time of issuance have the proper zoning for use of fortunetelling and similar practices as heretofore defined. A license may be amended at any time to designate a new location upon application to the Director or his designee with payment of a Twenty Dollar ($20.00) fee. ### Sec. 5-164. Denial, revocation, suspension, or termination of license Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-164 (2026) (a) The Director is hereby authorized to deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew any licenses issued under this Division if the Director finds that: (1) The applicant or licensee has failed to comply with any regulation contained in this Division or promulgated pursuant thereto. (2) The applicant or licensee furnished or made misleading or false statements on reports, certifications and written documents required by this Division. (3) A court having jurisdiction has found an applicant for a license or a licensee guilty of criminal activity during the preceding three (3) years directly relating to the operation or business of fortunetelling and similar practices as heretofore defined. A plea of nolo contendere shall be deemed to be the equivalent of a conviction or guilty plea for purposes of this Division. (4) The applicant or licensee has willfully and deliberately engaged in a course of conduct which is in violation of any provision of the Consumer Protection Ordinance or the consumer protection laws of the State or has repeatedly demonstrated a disregard for compliance with any provision or provisions of the Consumer Protection Ordinance or the consumer protection laws of the State. (b) No license shall be denied, suspended, revoked, or not renewed hereunder without the Director first affording the licensee an opportunity for a hearing thereon. At least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the date set for the hearing, the Director shall notify all parties to the proceeding in writing of the date, time and place set for the hearing and the charge made and afford all parties the opportunity to be heard in person and by counsel in reference thereto. The written notice shall be served by delivery of the notice to all parties by registered or certified mail. Within ten (10) working days following the hearing, the Director shall render a decision and the reasons therefor in writing and shall forward a copy of the same to all parties by certified or registered mail. (c) The Director may deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew any license issued under this Division for a period of time determined by the Director to be just and reasonable in relation to the severity of the violations found to exist under paragraphs (a)(1), (2), (3), and (4) of this Section. If a license has been denied, revoked, or not renewed, the applicant shall not be eligible to apply for another license for a period of six (6) months after the date on which the Director rendered a denial, evocation, or refusal to renew a decision. ### Sec. 5-165. Appeals from decisions of the Director Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-165 (2026) An applicant or licensee aggrieved by a decision of the Director with respect to the denial, suspension, revocation, or refusal to renew a license shall have the right to appeal any such decision to the Board of Appeals for Prince George's County, Maryland, within ten (10) calendar days after the receipt of a denial, suspension, revocation or refusal to renew decision rendered by the Director. Appeals to the Board of Appeals from any such decision of the Director shall be on the record of the hearing before the Director. ### Sec. 5-166. Penalties Prince George's County, Md., Code § 5-166 (2026) Any person who operates without a license required by this Division and anyone who operates while a license is suspended or revoked shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine not to exceed One-Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and/or incarceration of up to six (6) months in jail and costs. In addition to the remedies provided elsewhere, the County may seek enforcement of this Division by injunction or other appropriate remedy at law or equity.