ITEM TITLE:
Title
Consider an ordinance creating Section 7-1-1-100, Article 7-1-1, Division 7-1, Chapter 7, Business Licenses, Lawton City Code, 2015, by creating the requirements for businesses to operate in the City of Lawton, setting fines for those operating without a business license, providing for severability, setting an effective date and allowing for floor amendments.
body
INITIATOR: Janet Smith, Planning & Community Services Director
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: Janet Smith, Planning & Community Services Director
Charlotte Brown, Code Plans Supervisor
BACKGROUND: This ordinance sets a fine schedule for businesses that are currently operating without the required city license or permit. This ordinance will also require that general businesses which include, but are not limited to: nail salons, beauty and barber shops, real estate offices, medical offices and clinics, etc, to obtain an annual business license with the City of Lawton. Some of the businesses that currently have an annual license with the City include: daycares, restaurants, bars, liquor stores, secondhand dealers, precious metal dealers, recreation centers, taxi cab companies, wreckers and towing services, refuse hauling services, tattoo and body piercing artists and parlors. Upon reviewing the codes for business licenses, it was discovered that there was no general provision that allowed for us to cite businesses operating without a license. The process for getting or renewing a business license is fairly simple, the applicant provides the city with the documents and fee as required by the code and once everything has been verified by the License & Permits Division, the license is issued for one year. Notifications, which includes a letter and the application are sent out 55-60 days prior to the expiration of the license. Renewals are required to be submitted 30 days prior to the expiration or they are considered a new license. This ordinance will assist staff in getting those businesses that fail to renew with the City within 180 days of expiration, but continue to operate illegally, back in compliance by issuing citations to the applicant.
EXHIBIT: Ordinance No. 22-____
KEY ISSUES: Does City Council wish to require a general business license.
FUNDING SOURCE: N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: Adopt Ordinance No. 22-___, waive the reading of the ordinance, read the title only.