Title
Ordinance to Amend Chapter 13 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances to Remove References to the Privilege License Tax, with the Exception of Taxi Cabs and Beer and Wine Sales, and Institute a Business Permit System for Solicitors, Panhandlers, Peddlers, Itinerant Merchants, Mobile Food Vendors, Street Performers, and Massage Businesses, also to Amend Chapter 14.5, Chapter 20, and Chapter 26 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances to Remove References to the Privilege License Tax and Replace Them with References to the Business Permit
Body
Department: Financial & Administrative Services
Council District: All
Public Hearing: No
Advertising Date/By: N/A
Contact 1 and Phone: Teresa Childress, Collections Manager, 433-7276
Contact 2 and Phone: Richard Hawk, Collections Assistant Manager, 373-2353
PURPOSE:
To amend various sections of Chapter 13, Chapter 14.5, Chapter 20, and Chapter 26 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances that pertain to the privilege license tax and to institute a business permit system for panhandlers, peddlers, itinerant merchants, mobile food vendors, street performers, and massage businesses.
BACKGROUND:
The North Carolina General Assembly eliminated the authority of a city to levy a privilege license tax on businesses, except those specific to beer and wine sales or taxicabs. This law, GS160A-211, will become effective for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015. Statutory authority under GS160A-194 allows municipalities to regulate most businesses and professions.
Under Greensboro's current privilege license system, key business data is gathered and used in coordination with other City departments and divisions, such as Zoning, Building Inspections, Fire, Police, and also the Guilford County Health Department.
Greensboro recognizes the value in maintaining such data and, under the authority granted to it by GS 160A-194, will implement a Business Permit system for solicitors, panhandlers, peddlers, itinerant merchants, mobile food vendors, street performers, and massage businesses in order to promote public health, safety, and welfare, and to continue to monitor such businesses after the privilege license tax is repealed.
The Business Permit system will be a standardized program enabling these business types to register with the City in the same manner as before with privilege licensing. Data will be housed in one central location and will be renewed and updated annually. The data will be used to monitor and track businesses in a manner similar to the current privilege license tax system. City staff anticipates the Business Permit system to be a seamless system which allows the City to gather new and updated data online, via mail, or in-person during renewal periods.
Based on current business activity, the City will oversee approximately 600 Business Permits and 750 Privilege Licenses (Taxicabs and Beer/Wine Sales), annually. There will be no permit fee charged.
Instituting the Business Permit System requires an ordinance to amend the Greensboro Code of Ordinances to eliminate references to the privilege license tax and enact a new Article for the Business Permit system. Chapter 13 will be amended to remove all privilege license sections, with the exception of licensing taxi cabs and beer and wine sales, repeal Yard Sales, and combine open-air sales in the new article created for Business Permits. Chapter 14.5, Chapter 20, and Chapter 26 will be revised to remove all references to the privilege license and to replace them with references to the Business Permit.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The cost of administering the business permits and privilege license system will be approximately $59,000 to be funded within proposed FY 2016 General Fund appropriations.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is recommended that City Council enact the attached ordinances to amend the various Chapters of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances pertaining to the privilege license tax and institute a business permit system.