Public input is encouraged regarding a draft by-law which recommends repealing over twenty business licensing by-laws and proposing a newly created Consolidated Business Licensing By-law.
The proposed By-law regulates certain business types in our municipality.
Council directed a Service Review of Business Licensing.
As a result of the review, the new draft Consolidated Business Licensing By-law includes all business licensing types in one document whereas currently there are over twenty separate business licensing by-laws.
In the draft By-law several of the current business licensing types have not been included; there were minor housekeeping updates to the By-law schedules and the inclusion of licensing of salvage yards.
Some of the highlights are as follows:
– Removal of several types of business licensing – adult videotape, circus and carnivals, drain and sewer layers, hydroponic sales, master plumber, race track, Christmas tree sales, antique or collective show, craft show, tanning salons
– Inclusion of Salvage Yards in business licensing
– Consolidation of some business classes ie. food sales class 1 and 2 are now a single class
– Fire inspections will no longer be a pre-condition for food carts, mobile food carts, public halls, and restaurant licenses. However, Fire Inspections will still be required for vulnerable occupancies where people sleep ie. bed and breakfast, lodging house, group homes, hotels/motels, rest homes, seasonal housing, and summer camps.
– Appeal process included in the By-law to the By-law Appeal Committee
– The Service Review Committee recommended full cost recovery for business licence fees – phased in 80% for 2016 and 100% in 2017.
The draft report has been posted to the municipal web-site for public input. A public consultation meeting to discuss the draft will be held on:
Thursday, November 26th at 6 pm
Council Chambers, Civic Centre
Chatham
Anyone wishing to speak to this matter at the meeting is invited to do so. The draft By-law will be presented to Chatham-Kent Council at its December 14th meeting.
Council will receive a summary of the public comments and concerns received, and minutes from the public meeting when the draft by-law and report are presented to Council in December.
Public comments can be emailed to CKlicensing@chatham-kent.ca.
