San Diego Fines Pastor for Bible Study

San Diego County is demanding a local pastor pay thousands of dollars for hosting bible studies at his home.

The county says Pastor David Jones of Southbay Community Church has been praying at his house every Tuesday and that he needs a permit to host a bible study.

Jones argues that his bible study doesn't amount to a full blown church service that requires a permit.

"It's an infringement upon our freedom and our constitutional rights," Jones says.

The county claims Jones’ home isn’t zoned for parking, but he doesn’t see that as an issue.

"We are talking about as little as five [people], a high meeting of 27, but on average 15," explains Jones. "To find that the county says this is a code violation is really wrong."

However, according to Chandra Wallar, a San Diego County representative, someone filed a complaint last month stating the bible study was causing parking troubles in the cul-de-sac.

The county looked into the complaint. "There was parking that prevented access for emergency vehicles, and there was parking on the resident lot which violates our code," Wallar says.

Jones’ attorney, Dean Broyles, argues that his client is not breaking the law or upsetting the neighbors. "In this case, having seven or eight cars on your street is not a big deal. If the county doesn't back down we will absolutely file a federal complaint."

If Jones refuses to pay, fines beginning at $100 will be assessed.