From The City of Red Deer
Council considers a new Business License Bylaw
All businesses operating in The City of Red Deer will require a business license if City Council approves a new Business License Bylaw (3609/2018), which heard first reading at today’s City Council meeting.
“The current License Bylaw is outdated and doesn’t accommodate the needs of Red Deer business owners,” said Erin Stuart, Inspections & Licensing Manager. “We are proposing a new bylaw that not only ensures fair and equitable treatment for all businesses, but also considers the need for better data as we evaluate economic development opportunities in our city.”
The existing License Bylaw (3159/96) was adopted over 20 years ago, and has had few amendments. The existing bylaw only allows licensing of specific types of businesses, and is not inclusive of all. Other businesses may have been previously operating with an occupancy permit. The new Business License Bylaw allows for either annual renewable licenses or short-term licenses, depending on the business’ needs.
Additional changes to the proposed bylaw include simplifying definitions and business categories, creating an equitable, simple fee structure, reducing unnecessary provisions specific to regulated business, and consolidating the Drinking Establishment Licensing Bylaw and the Late Night Clubs Bylaw within the bylaw.
“The proposed bylaw will be simple and easy to understand. It will also be flexible to changes in technology, business models and other trends in business that we might see in the coming years,” said Stuart.
Second and third readings will be considered at the City Council meeting on September 4, 2018. Following that, The City will inform business owners of the requirements and encourage them to apply and obtain their licenses.
“We will work hard to make sure everyone knows about the changes, and make it easy for them to apply,” said Stuart. “Giving businesses time to apply by not charging fees for the remainder of 2018 is something we would like to do, as well as launching an online application process through MyCity this fall to make applying even easier.”
Related