February 8, 2006

BUSINESS LICENSING GETS MORE MUSCLE

Business licenses must be prominently displayed at the place of business, reads the city of Pasadena Municipal Code, but what if the place of business is a mobile vehicle such as a food truck?

Pasadena residents can have greater confidence that their gardener, contractor and their favorite food truck also have the proper business licensing, and if applicable, health licensing, thanks to two new city ordinances.

Ordinance No. 7023, amending Section 5.04.03 and 5.10.170, requires mobile business owners, defined as businesses operating with vehicles, to have a current business license decal affixed to their vehicles. Failure to do so can result in a citation. The ordinance goes into effect Feb. 10.

Residents are encouraged to look for the decal to ensure the gardeners, painters, contractors, pool maintenance crew and other contract labor they hire, and the vehicles preparing and delivering them food, are properly licensed.

Designed to strengthen enforcement, Ordinance No. 7027 amending Chapter 5.04 gives the business tax inspectors the authority to issue citations to violators.

Citation fines begin at $100 and increase to $500 for continuing violations within the year. If the case is referred for criminal prosecution, the case becomes a misdemeanor for failing to obtain a business license and the punishment can include jail and a fine of up to $1,000. The amendment goes into effect Feb. 22.

A related new city ordinance, No. 7026 amending Chapter 5.04, requires commercial building owners, hospitals and medical facilities to report on a quarterly basis tenant listings, independent contractors and physicians engaged in business on the premises and goes into effect Feb. 22.

The Business License Section is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. at 280 Ramona St. For more information call (626) 744-4166.