Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in California

Generally speaking, NO. My understanding is that the law allows certain exceptions which allows certain types of business to charge in that manner, like movie theaters.

I think Mr. Shokrian is confusing recent changes that allow credit cards to be charged without a signature when swiped at the point of sale and below a certain dollar amount, with being allowed to make an unauthorized charge. It is never legal to make an unauthorized charge. It is legal to get preauthorization, such as for a recurring monthly charge, or conditional authorization, such as if you don't return the rented power tool you agree we will charge your card the cost of replacing it. But unauthorized charges are theft.