02/11/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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~, The City licenses or renews licenses for about 2,300 businesses annually, for a total revenue of about $88,000 each year. Forty-six percent of licensing activity is for electrical sales (19 percent) and fire safety permits (27 percent). e Proposed Direction A review of licensing practices in other cities showed that cities license businesses for one of two reasons: 1) to generate revenue, or 2) to regulate the activities of a particular type of business. In Eugene, the history of business licensing is for the purpose of regulating certain types of activity and not to generate revenue. As we began the review and streamlining process, emphasis was placed on whether the activities being licensed were being regulated for reason of public health and safety, consumer protection, or vice. Using these criteria, we are proposing deletion of certain businesses from licensing requirements. Where deletions are recommended, it is because another government process, such as semi-annual fire inspection, provides the necessary review of that business activity. In cases where there is concern about a business activity, we are recommending use of uniform business practice laws. The City' s towing ordinance is an example of such a law. This type of law regulates how a towing business conducts itself, but does not require a business license to tow vehicles. These laws are a more effective means of regulation and eliminate the need to license hundreds of businesses annually. About 51 percent of the business licenses could be handled through uniform business practice laws. In summary, we recommend the following"changes: e 1. Delete about 37 percent of the .presently-licensed business activities because adequate review of the activity is provided through other City processes. 2. Separate fire safety permits (27 percent of present 1 icensing activity) from business license regulations and make them part of the Fire Prevention Program. 3. Regul ate 51 percent of currently regul ated busi ness act i vi ties through uniform business practice laws. 4. Retain licensing regulations for a limited number of activities that have substantial impa~t on the general public health and safety (about 12 percent of the present license activity.). Action Required This item is for your information and discussion. Action on new business licenses and business practices laws will be required in the Spring of 1985. SLS:edsls035 2/85 - -2-