(a) Purpose. — The City Hall Business Registry (“Registry”) records the existence and ownership of player-owned businesses. Registration establishes name/identity for public dealings and dispute resolution.
(b) Not a License. — Registration is not a license to operate and imposes no renewal requirement. Nothing in this Title requires a business license to trade.
(a) Registration. — City Hall shall record the business name (including any DBA), owner(s), and contact details upon request of the owner.
(b) Certificate. — Upon entry, City Hall may issue a certificate of registration. The certificate is evidentiary of the information recorded on the Registry.
(a) Owner Control. — The registered owner may transfer ownership in whole or in part at any time by written instruction to City Hall identifying the transferee(s).
(b) City Hall Role. — City Hall shall update the Registry accordingly. City Hall shall not sell or transfer a registered business to third parties absent the owner’s written instruction.
(c) Inactivity. — If a business ceases activity, City Hall may mark the record “dormant.” Dormancy does not extinguish ownership and may be lifted on owner request.
(a) Offense. — It is unlawful to knowingly hold out, transact, or advertise as a registered business without authorization of the registered owner, or to use a registered trade name in a manner likely to cause confusion as to source or ownership.
(b) Punishment. — Misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000; restitution may be ordered. Nothing herein limits charging of fraud or other Penal Code offenses where applicable.
Chapter 2. Protected Professional Titles (Limited)¶
BPC §201. Attorney at Law — Bar Admission & Title Use¶
(a) Bar Roll. — The Department of Justice (or designated authority) shall maintain a Roll of Attorneys (“Bar Roll”). Admission procedures are administrative and outside this Code.
(b) Title Use. — Only persons listed on the Bar Roll may hold out to the public as an “Attorney,” “Lawyer,” “Counsel,” or “Attorney at Law,” or offer legal representation in court.
(c) Court Practice. — Judges may require presentation of Attorney ID for appearance. Failure to present may result in administrative denial of appearance without prejudice.
(a) Offense. — A person not admitted to the Bar Roll who (1) represents another in court, or (2) for compensation prepares legal pleadings or claims to provide legal representation, or (3) uses protected titles in §201(b) in a manner likely to cause reliance, commits Unauthorized Practice of Law.
(b) Punishment. — Misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000. Repeat within twelve (12) months: felony; twelve (12) to thirty-six (36) months; $10,000–$25,000.
(c) Safe Harbor. — Non-lawyers may provide clerical assistance (typing/filing forms) without giving legal advice or representing another in court.
(d) Cross-References. — Nothing herein limits charging under Penal Code provisions, including PC §231, PC §232, or PC §334, where applicable.
(a) Construction. — This Title records business identity and protects specific professional titles. It does not establish a general business-licensing regime or renewals, and it does not regulate business models. Where administrative rules (e.g., Bar procedures) address admissions/discipline, those rules govern; this Title governs public title use and misrepresentation.
(a) “News organization” means an entity primarily engaged in gathering and disseminating news to the public.
(b) “Press credential” means an individual credential issued under this Chapter that identifies the holder as news media for access and identification purposes.
(c) “Scene commander” means the peace officer or official designated to manage a crime, incident, or event scene.
(a) Registration. — A news organization may register with City Hall’s Business Registry pursuant to [BPC §101]–[§104] for public identification. Registration is evidentiary only and is not a license.
(b) Sole Proprietors & Freelancers. — Individual journalists may operate without organizational registration if holding a press credential under §303.
(a) Public Vantage. — Credentialed and non-credentialed persons may record, photograph, and newsgather from any place they are lawfully present, subject to lawful orders for safety and scene integrity.
(b) Perimeters. — Crossing physical lines or violating access controls established by a scene commander is unlawful; press zones may be designated at the commander’s discretion.
(c) No Interference. — Press shall not materially impede emergency, investigative, or traffic operations. Lawful orders to reposition, mute lighting, or delay live broadcasting may be given to prevent operational compromise (e.g., revealing tactical positions in real time).
(d) Safe Harbor. — Mere presence, observation, or recording from a lawful location does not constitute obstruction or unlawful assembly; independent criminal conduct remains chargeable under the Penal Code.
(e) Cross-References. — See PC §331 (resisting), PC §331A (failure to comply), PC §334 (obstruction), and SHC §301–§304 (permitted events).
(a) Permits Control. — Access within SHC-permitted events shall follow the conditions of the event permit and the directions of the scene commander or event safety lead.
(b) Non-Credentialed Press. — Non-credentialed newsgatherers may be treated as general public for access purposes at the commander’s discretion.
(a) Violations. — Knowingly misusing a press credential; failing to display upon lawful request in a controlled area; or crossing a restricted perimeter after a clear order constitutes a violation.
(b) Punishment. — Misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000. Credential lending/sale or false personation may also be charged under PC §334A or PC §334, as appropriate.
(c) Summary Suspension. — City Hall may summarily suspend a press credential for imminent safety concerns or material misuse; an administrative hearing shall be available within forty-eight (48) hours on request.
(d) Revocation. — Upon sustained findings of material misuse or repeated violations, City Hall may revoke a credential. Re-application timelines may be set by rule.
(a) License. — No person or entity shall offer or provide uniformed private security or protective services without a private security license issued by City Hall.
(b) Scope. — Licensed security may protect persons or property on premises under their client’s lawful control or under a written contract specifying the service area. They are not law-enforcement officers.
(a) Distinct Appearance. — Uniforms shall be clearly distinguishable from law-enforcement uniforms in color scheme and insignia.
(b) Identification. — Personnel shall display a visible company name and carry company ID; present ID upon lawful request.
(c) Vehicles. — Markings and lighting shall not imitate law-enforcement vehicles. Use of red/blue emergency lights or sirens is prohibited; see VEH §232 (Unauthorized Emergency Equipment).
(a) Citizen’s Arrest. — Security personnel may detain for on-view felonies or misdemeanors committed in their presence consistent with citizen’s arrest; they shall promptly notify law enforcement and transfer custody without unreasonable delay.
(b) No Traffic Stops. — Security personnel shall not initiate traffic stops or pursue vehicles on public roadways except to avoid imminent harm on premises under protection.
(c) Searches. — Pat-downs or bag checks require consent or a lawful condition of entry on private premises; contraband discovered shall be secured for law enforcement without unnecessary handling.
(d) Force. — Use of force must be reasonable and necessary under the circumstances. Deadly force is permitted only to prevent imminent death or great bodily injury, consistent with defenses in PC §007.
(e) Area of Operations. — Authority is limited to client premises or event footprints; off-premises pursuit is discouraged and may be unlawful absent exigency.
(a) Firearms. — Possession and carry are governed by PC §§301–§310 and licensing (GFL/CCW). Class 3 firearms are prohibited. Agency or client policy may further restrict carry.
(b) Restraints. — Use of restraints is permitted only during lawful detentions and shall be reasonable in manner and duration until law enforcement arrives.
(c) Prohibited Equipment. — Unauthorized red/blue lights, sirens, or police-only public-address systems are prohibited; see VEH §232 (Unauthorized Emergency Equipment). Impersonation of a peace officer is chargeable under PC §336.
(a) Incident Reports. — Detentions, uses of force, and significant incidents shall be documented contemporaneously and retained for not less than six (6) months.
(b) Access. — Records shall be produced upon lawful request by law enforcement or City Hall within a reasonable time.
(c) Confidentiality. — Records may contain sensitive client information and shall be handled consistent with lawful requests and court orders.
(a) Unlicensed Operation. — Misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000; equipment may be seized where otherwise unlawful.
(b) Material Misrepresentation or Impersonation. — Chargeable under [PC §336] in addition to penalties herein.
(c) Dangerous Practices. — Material safety violations (e.g., unauthorized emergency equipment, vehicle stops on public roads, reckless use of force) are misdemeanors; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000; restitution may be ordered.
(a) Summary Suspension. — City Hall may summarily suspend a private security license where imminent safety risks exist; an administrative hearing shall be available within forty-eight (48) hours on request.
(b) Revocation. — Repeated or willful violations, or fraud in licensure, may result in revocation. Re-application timelines may be set by rule.
(c) Appeals. — Denials, suspensions, or revocations may be appealed to a hearing officer within five (5) days of notice; the decision shall be final absent abuse of discretion.