Pastor David Jones and his wife Mary, were interrogated by a county official over their Tuesday night Bible studies and then later issued a citation barring the couple from hosting further studies until they obtain a Major Use Permit, which can cost thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars. Mrs. Jones further reported the county official warned her that hosting the study – deemed a "religious assembly" subject to county codes – without the permit could result in fines escalating from $100 to $1,000.

After a tidal wave of public outrage and a demand letter from the Western Center for Law & Policy, the county has now backed off its demand and told the couple that they may resume their studies.

"It appears they're dropping the requirement of a Major Use Permit, and they're not considering them a 'religious assembly' any longer," said Dean Broyles, chief of the law center.

Broyles told WND that the couple met with county officials and were assured the citation would be rescinded. The county still has a few days left in a five-day window the WCLP established to issue a formal retraction in writing.

"We're expecting a response from the county momentarily," Broyles said. "They've been telling the press that they're backing out of it, but we'll see what they actually do when they send us a letter."

Still unclear is whether the county will still pursue action against the Joneses over parking restrictions, which is no trivial matter, asserts the pastor.

"We're in trouble if they are going to go with a parking issue, because that means that thousands of people in Bible study groups could be cited for a parking violation," Jones said in an interview reported in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

"What about people who gather to play Texas Hold 'Em, Mommy and Me, 'Monday Night Football,' Boy Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous? Everyone has a right as a homeowner to the quiet enjoyment of their property," Jones said. "We're not going to let it go."

The county's general manager of land use and environment Chandra Wallar, told the press that the county's action wasn't meant to clamp down on free exercise of religion, but to respond to parking and traffic issues.

"We've advised the pastor he has the authority to continue to hold his meetings just as he's held them," Wallar said. "My hope is we will be able to resolve the traffic concerns."

Broyles told WND he thought it unlikely that the county will pursue parking restrictions, as the Jones' neighbors have said they have no complaints, but until the Joneses have something in writing, he won't know for certain.

"We're hoping they don't drop one issue and go after the Joneses on another," Broyles said. "We're hoping that issue will be dropped as well. We're just a little suspicious of their motives at this point."

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