Zoning Restrictions For Bail Bondsmen Becoming More Popular
In my recent article, Bail Bonds Akin To Porn?, I raised concerns about a San Jose City Council's attempt to levy prohibitive zoning restrictions on bail bonds businesses located in the neighborhood near the city court house. Since that article was published, there has been an outpouring of concern, in addition to startling revelations about the level to which discrimination is being perpetrated against bail bonds agencies. While the San Jose City Council's actions were worrisome, they were not isolated by any means.
Readers, bloggers and concerned citizens from across the country have been inundating me with examples of other situations where bail bondsmen are being singled out with prejudicial zoning and deed restrictions.
On August 28th, the blogosphere noted another incident in the article Real Estate Deal To Permanently Bar Bail Bond Businesses. The post focused on the efforts of Maritnez CA real estate developers, Kirsten and David Fischer, to purchase a building from the city and county respectively. 
The Fischers, while representing the Southport Land and Commercial Company, offered a redevelopment proposal that would incorporate a deed restriction that prevents any bail bond businesses from ever becoming lessees of the buildings' available commercial or retail space. This provision would remain intact perpetually, regardless of who owned the building after the Fischers or their development company.
David Fischer was quoted in a local publication, The Martinez News-Gazette, as saying “we live in the downtown and we want the best for it. That does not include another bail bonds shop”. While developers are offering to include deed restrictions preventing bail bond businesses in Martinez, other parts of the country are seeing opposition from different sources.
In Maryland, Katia Hamilton, is fighting to keep an occupancy permit for her First Response Bail Bonds business. The permit essentially authorizes her bail bonds agency to legally operate in a specific storefront or space within the Waverly community. City council members and other business owners are appealing to the local Planning and Zoning Commission to have her permit rescinded.
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