Business Licenses and Permits

A businessman has been forced to pay four years’ worth of business license fees after violating city code.
Fred Shorett, who is a councilman in San Bernardino, California, had been operating a home business in commercial printing and packaging without a license.
He was found out after city attorney James F. Penman filed a complaint …

On August 26, 2011, the governor of Illinois signed the Collateral Recovery Act to regulate individuals and entities engaged in the business of collateral recovery.  With limited exceptions, it will be unlawful for any person to repossess or attempt to repossess property subject to a security interest unless the person is licensed under the act.  …

Plans to construct a movie theater and restaurant in Okemos, Michigan, have been put into question over concerns about a business license.
The American Theatre Corporation is set to open a Cinema Grill where customers can watch a movie and dine at tables, but the company has a history of legal problems, the Lansing State …

The Elgin, Illinois, city council has agreed to reexamine its business license program after the first year of implementation, at Mayor Dave Kaptain’s request.
Business licenses were introduced to the city in the summer of 2010. The council this week held a clarification meeting,  as it is feared that some remain confused about certain aspects …

The Enumclaw City Council met earlier this week and agreed to a proposal for Washington State to help the city process its business license applications.
However, the move is controversial and Darrel Dickson, a candidate for City Council, asked for the decision to be delayed in order to give businesses in the city time to …

City officials in Long Branch, New Jersey, are considering changes to mercantile business licenses as new technologies emerge.
The city has been discussing a change in the application process over several weeks that would require individuals to get a more formal review from the police department, explained David Roach, health director at the Long Branch Department …

A proposal has been put forward to create a business license for firms that operate slot machines and other forms of entertainment in Laredo, Texas.
According to tax collector Patricia Barrera, the measure would bring in around $100,000 in revenue a year that can then be used by schools and government entities.
If the proposal is …

Business owners in Poulsbo, Washington, will soon need to renew their business license through a different route.
Beginning in October, businesses must apply for a renewal through the state-run Business Licensing Service. Renewals for the following year are due by December 31.
The Kitsap Sun reported that the new service will allow firms to renew …

Landlords with property in Berlin, Maryland, will now have to apply for a rental license each year rather than their standard business license in order to lease property to tenants.
This is after the city introduced the change to stop wayward landlords disobeying the housing code.
The change will give “more teeth” to current …

A proposal to change business license fees has been removed from the city of Brawley’s November ballot.
City officials decided that the measure to increase fees could have confused voters who will also have to consider changes to utility taxes on the same ballot, which takes place on November 8th.
The Imperial Valley …