The town has brought in a new Business Licensing Bylaw that will raise fees for 2014, create longer approval times and crack down on out of town businesses, including contractors and realtors, who have been operating unimpeded in the community for decades.
“The old bylaw was very global. There was no structure. This new one puts in more approval governance,” said Heather Whymark, the town's director of corporate services, who added it has been more than 35 years since there has been an update to the town's Business Licensing Bylaw. “It has been a long time. It was sort of one that was on the back burner. We needed more control. This is in line with most other municipalities.”
Council approved the new bylaw at its Aug. 26 regular meeting. The new Business Licensing Bylaw will impact at least 400 businesses in town for the 2014 licensing year.
“It had to be updated, even the rates were quite behind,” said Mayor Jim Romane. “We understand it is quite normal to require people who come into town to do business and get a business licence. Why is a realtor any different than a roofer or a contractor? You are coming into town to do business.”
The new bylaw, said a report to council, has been directed towards clearly addressing its definition, licensing requirements, enforcement and process.
“Before you could come to the counter and get a licence in two minutes. There is a process now in place, said Helen Dietz, the town's chief administrative officer.
From now on each application will be reviewed by an assigned licensing inspector, which will be Whymark, who will also have the authority to renew, suspend, refuse to grant or transfer licensing applications. The turnaround time under the new process could take as long as five days.
Council was told on Aug. 26 the cost for a licence for a resident business will jump from $75 a year to $100, while non-resident businesses will see an increase from $125 to $300.
The revised bylaw, as in the previous one, will still require hawkers and peddlers to get a business licence. Charitable or non-profit organizations -- such as service clubs, community, veteran or youth organizations and religious societies -- are exempt under the bylaw.
The new Business Licensing Bylaw also gives the licensing inspector the authority to issue violation tickets for non-compliance. For the first offence, there will be a fine of $250. For the second offence the fine increases to $500 while the third offence carries a penalty of a $1,000 fine.
Meanwhile, the new bylaw has been passed in time for the 2014 licensing year. On Nov. 1, the town will issue letters to businesses outlining the amount required for a new licence and to update any new information. The deadline to renew a business licence will be Jan. 31.
