ARTICLE V. - BUSINESS REGISTRATIONS
Part of the Code of Ordinances of West Warwick, RI.
The text
Sec. 10-125. - Purpose.#
The purpose of this article is to promote the locating of businesses and other profit-making enterprises within the town, and at the same time, to provide for the general welfare and safety of the citizens of the town in that concern for zoning, police protection, fire protection and other services depend on knowledge of the needs of certain areas and locations.
(Code 1970, § 10-155; Ord. No. 2013-44, 9-17-2013)
Sec. 10-126. - Registration.#
(a)
Required. Each business, including, but not limited to, wholesale, retail, commercial, professional services, personal services or manufacturing, whether by sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations or any form of business entity, shall register its business, company, trade name or office situated in the town with the town clerk.
(b)
Exemption. Any business required to register or to obtain a license or permit under any other section of this Code shall be exempt from the registration requirements of this article.
(c)
Application information; information required. Each registration shall contain the name, address and telephone number of the firm or business, the name, address and telephone number of the owner or operator of the firm or business, the type of business to be operated and such other information as shall be required on the registration form provided by the town clerk.
(d)
Unique trade name required. No other business of the same trade name shall be allowed to register once a certificate of registration has been issued, without the approval in writing from the prior registrant.
(e)
Fees. The application shall be accompanied by a fee in the amount as shall from time to time be set by resolution of the town council.
(f)
Time of registration and annual renewals. The initial registration of a new business shall be issued before the business opens to the public. Thereafter, every registration certificate shall expire on the annual anniversary date of the registration certificate and thereafter shall be renewed annually upon payment of the required fee.
(g)
Payment of municipal taxes required; exception. No certificate shall be issued or renewed if the registrant fails to provide proof from the town tax collector that all tangible municipal taxes on any tangible property located at the address of the business have been paid in full to date or that the business licensee or the owner of the property at which the tangible property is located has entered into an agreement with the tax collector for the payment of past due tangible taxes as follows:
(1)
All past due tangible taxes plus interest shall be paid within six months from the date of such agreement or not less than 30 days prior to the date of the next annual renewal of the license, whichever shall first occur.
(2)
Such business licensee or property owner shall be eligible to enter into no more than two such agreements in any consecutive five-tax-year period.
(3)
Any license issued or renewed pursuant to such agreement shall be contingent upon compliance with the agreement and subject to revocation in the event of failure to comply with all of the terms of the agreement.
(h)
Issuance and display of certificate. Upon registration of a business, a registration certificate shall be issued to the registrant. Every certificate of registration shall be placed in a conspicuous place in each business establishment.
(i)
Revocation of registration of closed business. If the town becomes aware that a registered business is no longer operating in the town, the town clerk shall send written notice to the name on the registration certificate at the address shown in the town records for the business, by regular mail, advising such registrant that if no response indicating a reason why such registration should not be revoked is received by the town clerk within 30 days from the date of the notice, the registration will be automatically revoked.
(j)
Violations and penalties. Violations of this section are subject to a fine not to exceed $25.00 for each offense, with each day the violation exists to constitute a separate offense.
(Code 1970, §§ 10-156—10-160; Ord. No. 2013-44, 9-17-2013; Ord. No. 2014-8, 5-27-2014; Ord. No. 2015-6, 7-21-2015)
Sec. 10-127. - Payment of fees and costs.#
No application, filing or request of any kind filed with the town pursuant to the general laws of the state, this Code, the zoning code, the subdivision regulations or any other rule or regulation of the town for which there shall be any costs such as advertising or otherwise or fees of any kind shall be accepted for filing until all such costs and fees are paid in full.
(Code 1970, § 10-161; Ord. No. 2013-44, 9-17-2013)
Sec. 10-128. - Compliance with codes and ordinances.#
Every person, firm or company that shall receive any license or permit from any town official shall comply with any and all provisions of this Code, the zoning code and/or the subdivision regulations which in any way relate to the license or permit so granted.
(Code 1970, § 10-162; Ord. No. 2013-44, 9-17-2013)