4.60.010 Purpose.

   The purpose of this chapter is to establish a regulatory mechanism to maintain an accurate record of businesses conducting business in the city in order (1) to develop recommendations on land uses; (2) to better coordinate transportation programs; (3) to assist in zoning compliance and (4) to gather statistical information for other city purposes. This chapter is not intended to apply to home based or transitory businesses.

(Ord. 5279 § 1 (part), 2014)

4.60.020 Definitions.

   The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings set forth in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

   (a)   "Business" means any commercial enterprise, trade, calling, vocation, profession, occupation, or means of livelihood, whether or not carried on for gain or profit.

   (b)   "Business registration certificate" means a written statement issued by the city to a business owner as evidence of registering a business in the city.

   (c)   "Fixed place of business" means a place of business located in the city boundaries and occupied for the particular purpose of conducting business.

   (d)   "Home based business" means a home occupation as defined in Section 18.04.030.

   (e)   "Person" means and includes any business owner, individual, firm, co-partnership, joint venture, association, corporation, estate, business trust, or any other group or combination acting as a unit.

   (f)   "Transitory business" means a business that is carried on for a short duration (such as pumpkin sales, special events, and filming) or a business that does not have a fixed place of business within Palo Alto (such as landscaping or construction contractors based in other cities).

(Ord. 5279 § 1 (part), 2014)

4.60.030 Business registration requirement.

   (a)   No person shall conduct any business in a fixed place of business without first having obtained a business registration certificate, paid the applicable business registration fee and complied with all applicable provisions of this chapter.

   (b)   The issuance of a business registration certificate under this chapter shall not excuse the business from complying with other applicable Code requirements.

   (c)   A business registration certificate shall not be transferable.

(Ord. 5279 § 1 (part), 2014)

4.60.040 Exemptions from business registration.

   The following types of businesses are exempt from this chapter:

   (a)   Home based business.

   (b)   Transitory business.

   (c)   Non-profit organizations having less than one full time equivalent employee.

   (d)   Businesses having less than one full time equivalent employee.

   (e)   Religious organizations which operate a worship hall but have no other ancillary facilities or services. For purposes of this exception ancillary facilities or services include but are not limited to religious or educational classrooms, gift shops, and daycare services.

(Ord. 5379 § 1, 2016: Ord. 5279 § 1 (part), 2014)

4.60.050 Fee required.

   (a)   Every person engaging in business in the city shall pay a business registration fee as prescribed by resolution adopted by the city council.

   (b)   The business registration fee is not a revenue raising device, but shall bear a reasonable relationship to the service to be performed by the city and the costs incurred by the city in reviewing, processing and acting upon the application.

   (c)   The city council shall, from time to time, review the resolution fixing the business registration fee and may revoke, modify, adjust, add or determine any amount or rate of such business registration fee.

(Ord. 5279 § 1 (part), 2014)