(A) Purpose. The purpose of the business license is to provide an additional protection to the citizens and visitors of the town from fraud and misrepresentation; to ensure that sales tax revenues are reported equitably; and to provide a database of the commercial activities within the community.
(B) Requirements. The Town of Florence requires that every person, firm, corporation, partnership, or other business organization occupying real property that is properly zoned within the town for business purposes shall obtain a business license. In addition, similar businesses which are engaged in business activities within the town but have no fixed place of business in the town shall also be required to obtain a business license.
(C) Types of business licenses. A business license shall be required of any person, corporation, or partnership based within the town limits carrying on any trade, calling, profession, occupation, or business. In addition, contractors (as defined in § 110.02) conducting business within the town limits shall also be required to obtain a business license. A business license shall be valid for a period not to exceed one calendar year.
(D) Violations.
(1) It is unlawful for any person, whether as principal or agent, either for himself or herself, or for another person, or for any corporation, or as a member of any firm or co-partnership, to commence practice, transact or carry on any trade, calling, profession, occupation, or business within the town limits without first having procured a business license from the town.
(2) The practicing or carrying on of any trade, calling, profession, occupation, or business by any person, corporation, or partnership without first having procured a license from the town to do so, or without complying with any and all regulations of such trade, calling, profession, occupation, or business, as required by other law or by this chapter, shall constitute a separate violation of this chapter for each and every day that such trade, calling, profession, occupation, or business is practiced, carried on, or conducted within the town.
(E) Food vendors are required to display a County Health Department certificate.
(F) Exceptions. The only exceptions to the licensing requirements of this section shall be:
(1) Non-profit educational institutions, fraternal and service clubs, bona fide religious organizations, and agencies of any federal, state, or local governments.
(2) Non-profit private clubs where a basic membership fee covers the cost of the use of facilities.
(3) Fundraising projects of non-profit and bona fide religious organizations, not conducted on a regular basis.
(4) Rental units of three or less, if in a noncommercial zoning district.
(5) Sellers of agricultural produce grown within the town limits by the seller.
(6) Any hobby or craft sales in which the seller is the creator of a non-paid representative of the creator and for which the gross sales of each hobbyist and craftsperson shall not exceed $3,000 in any 12 month period.
(Ord. 658-17, passed 11-20-2017)