Chapter 5.04 GENERAL PROVISIONS

5.04.010          License or permit required.

5.04.020          Town council consideration of applications.

5.04.030          Conditions for issuance of licenses and permits.

5.04.040          Zoning determination required.

5.04.050          Posting of license.

5.04.060          Violation of terms of licenses and permits.

5.04.010  License or permit required.  Every business requiring a license to operate or to engage in a business activity shall obtain the appropriate license from the town council by making application to the town clerk. Any person who operates a business or engages in a business activity without the required license shall be subject to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisonment for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, or both, unless a different punishment is provided elsewhere in this chapter. Each day of violation shall be a separate offense.

(Ord. dated 2-15-11)

5.04.020  Town council consideration of applications.  No license application shall be placed on a town council meeting agenda until the applicant has completed the application form in its entirety and the supporting documentation required by statute or ordinance has been provided or has been requested from the appropriate local or state agency. When required documentation is not submitted with the application form, the burden shall be on the applicant to prove to the town clerk that it has been requested.

(Ord. dated 2-15-11)

5.04.030  Conditions for issuance of licenses and permits.

A.  No license or permit will be issued to, or renewed for, any person or business in arrears in any tax or assessment levied by the town. Verification of payment of taxes and assessments must be submitted with any application for, or renewal of, a license or permit. Payment of town taxes and assessments shall be a continuing condition of the license or permit.

B.  An applicant for a license or permit must submit with the application or renewal an affidavit of compliance. The affidavit shall state that the business is currently in compliance with all town, state, and federal statutes, ordinances, and regulations. Compliance with all town, state, and federal statutes, ordinances and regulations shall be a continuing condition of the license or permit.

C.  All holders of licenses and permits issued by the town shall have a continuing obligation to ensure that the information provided to the town in the application is accurate and current.

D. All applicants for licenses must show proof of ownership of the premises. If the applicant does not own the property, a fully executed lease agreement with terms of use and permission for the intended business activity.

(Ord. dated 12-6-05; Ord. dated 2-15-11)

5.04.040  Zoning determination required.  For every application for a new license, and every application to transfer an existing license to a new business location, the applicant shall submit, with the application, a zoning determination from the zoning enforcement officer verifying that the use is permitted at the proposed location.

(Ord. dated 12-6-05; Ord. dated 2-15-11)

5.04.050  Posting of license.  Any person conducting a licensed business shall post his or her current license in a conspicuous place on the premises of the business for which the license was issued.

(Ord. dated 12-6-05; Ord. dated 2-15-11)

5.04.060  Violation of terms of licenses and permits.

A.  If a licensee or permittee violates any terms or conditions of this chapter or of the license or permit, the town council may compel the licensee or permittee to show cause why the license or permit should not be suspended or revoked.

B.  The licensee or permittee shall be notified by certified mail of the date, time, and location of the show cause hearing, and shall be allowed to present any evidence or testimony on his or her  behalf.

C.  If the town council determines that such a violation has occurred, it may take whatever action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to suspension or revocation of the license or permit.

(Ord. dated 12-4-01(part); Ord. dated 12-6-05; Ord. dated 2-15-11)

Chapter 5.06 BUSINESS REGISTRATION

Chapter 5.06 BUSINESS  LICENSE

5.06.010          License required.

5.06.020          Information to be provided.

5.06.030          Town clerk to issue certificate.

5.06.040          Annual renewal of Business License to avoid expiration.

5.06.050          A business License is not a substitute for additional licenses, which may be required for your operation or assumed business name registration through the Rhode Island Department of State

5.06.060          License fee

5.06.010  License required.  Every corporation, partnership, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, or other business entity located in Richmond, whether wholesale, retail, commercial, or manufacturing, shall obtain a business license from the town clerk. Every business operating in Richmond on the effective date this Chapter shall register within sixty (60) days. 

(Ord. dated 8-12-14)

5.06.020  Information to be provided.  The business shall provide to the town clerk the name of the business, the name of the owner, proof of ownership or permission, the type of business or nature of the business, the mailing, address, the physical address, the telephone number, and the e-mail address of the business. The application must also include a Zoning Use Determination and affidavit of compliance. The information shall be submitted on a form provided by the town clerk for that purpose. No business shall be permitted to be licensed under a business name that is already registered with the Rhode Island Department of State. 

(Ord. dated 8-12-14)

5.06.030  Town clerk to issue a license  The town clerk shall issue the Business License once all the criteria has been met.  The certificate shall be kept on the premises of the business.

(Ord. dated 8-12-14)

5.06.040  Expiration and Renewal  The Business License shall not expire unless the licensee has failed to submit the renewal form annually by December 31^st of each year.

(Ord. dated 8-12-14)

5.06.050  A Business License is not a substitute for another Municipal License or assumed business name registration.  The license required by this Chapter is in addition to any license or permit that may be required to operate or engage in a particular business activity (i.e., liquor or victualing licenses). The license required by this Chapter is not a substitute for registration of an assumed business name pursuant to title 6, chapter 1 of the general laws.

(Ord. dated 8-12-14)

5.06.060 License Fee. The fee for this license shall be $25.00 for the first application. There is no renewal fee.

REFERENCES

2014 R.I. Pub. L. ch. 253.