Chapter 4.25
BUSINESS REGISTRATION

Sections:

4.25.010    Definition.

4.25.020    Business registration required.

4.25.030    Application procedure.

4.25.040    Term of registration.

4.25.050    Procedure for renewing registration.

4.25.060    Ineligible activities.

4.25.070    Standards of conduct.

4.25.080    New location.

4.25.090    Sale or transfer of business – New registration required.

4.25.100    Penalties for violation.

4.25.010 Definition.

Except as otherwise expressly declared or clearly apparent from the content in which used, the following definitions shall be applied in construing the provisions of this chapter:

A. “Person” means one or more natural persons of either sex, corporations, partnerships, associations or other entities capable of having an action at law brought against such entity, but shall not include employees of persons registered pursuant to this chapter.

B. “Business” means all services, activities, occupations, pursuits or professions excluding seasonal or temporary business located within the city with the object of pecuniary gain, benefit or advantage to the person, or to another person or class, directly or indirectly or whether part-time or full-time, that has a physical mailing address within the city of Ritzville. (Ord. 1013, 2001).

4.25.020 Business registration required.

It is unlawful for any person to conduct, operate, engage in or practice any business in the city without having first registered with the city. If more than one separate business is conducted on a single premises, a separate registration shall be required for each such business. If a business actively operates from more than one location in the city, a separate registration shall be required for each location. (Ord. 1013, 2001).

4.25.030 Application procedure.

A. No business registration shall be made except upon written application made to the city. Each registration shall be signed by the person who intends to conduct, operate or engage in business for which the registration is to be issued, and shall state the nature of the business, its proposed address and telephone number, the names and addresses of all owners of the business (or their registered agent), building owners, and such other information as may be required by the city.

B. If the applicant is a partnership, the application must be made and signed by one of the partners; if a corporation, by one of the officers thereof; if a foreign corporation, partnership or nonresident individual, by the resident agent or local manager of the corporation, partnership or individual. (Ord. 1013, 2001).

4.25.040 Term of registration.

All business registration issued shall be in effect until the following April 15th of odd years. At that time a renewal form will be filled out as prescribed in RCC 4.25.050. City will provide and mail renewal on March 15th of the odd years. (Ord. 1013, 2001).

4.25.050 Procedure for renewing registration.

All business registration renewals are due by March 15th of odd years. Application forms for renewals may be abbreviated by only requesting updated or changed information. (Ord. 1013, 2001).

4.25.060 Ineligible activities.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a registration hereunder may not be issued to or held by any person who uses or occupies or proposes to use or occupy any real property or otherwise conducts or proposes to conduct any business in violation of the provisions of any ordinance of the city or the statutes of the state of Washington or any other applicable law or regulation. The granting of a business registration shall not authorize any person to engage in any activity prohibited by a federal, state or local law or regulation. (Ord. 1013, 2001).

4.25.070 Standards of conduct.

Every registration under this chapter shall comply with all federal, state and city statutes, laws, regulations and ordinances relating to the business premises and the conduct of the business thereon. (Ord. 1013, 2001).

4.25.080 New location.

A registrant shall have the right to change the location of the registered business. Prior to such a change, the registrant shall notify the city, in writing. (Ord. 1013, 2001).

4.25.090 Sale or transfer of business – New registration required.

Upon the sale or transfer of any business which is registered pursuant to this chapter, the registration issued to the prior owner shall automatically expire on the date of such sale or transfer and the new owner shall apply for and obtain a new business registration prior to engaging in, conducting or operating the business. (Ord. 1013, 2001).

4.25.100 Penalties for violation.

A. Violations of, or failure to comply with, any provision of this chapter, shall constitute a civil infraction and any person found to have knowingly violated any provision of this chapter is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $25.00 for each such violation. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a new and separate infraction.

B. Any registration fee or penalty which is delinquent or unpaid shall constitute a debt to the city and may be collected by a court proceeding in the same manner as any other debt in like amount, which remedy shall be in addition to all other existing remedies. (Ord. 1013, 2001).