Business Licenses and Permits:: Published by Corporation Service Company » Blog Archive » Harsh measures introduced in St. Helena for unlicensed B&Bs

Officials in St. Helena, California (CA) have declared that short-term vacation rentals that do not possess business licenses could be subject to further penalties.

The community is currently experiencing an epidemic of unlicensed bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), according to news portal the Napa Valley Register (NPV). To combat the problem, town officials have announced plans to penalize illegal businesses $2,500 for each day of operation.

“The issue is (for these businesses to capture) their fair share of taxes and fees to pay for the wear and tear that their guests create in our city, and pay for the services that their guests are receiving in our city,” Harvest Inn owner Rick Swig told the newspaper.

St. Helena is a popular tourist spot for wine enthusiasts and is thus a prime location for opportunists hoping to capitalize on the community’s popularity.

Business in the town in governed by the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce, which aims to strengthen and promote business in the area, while protecting and preserving the community and its laws.