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Business License

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1. What is a business license?

A business license is a permit required for doing business within the incorporated area of the Town of Windsor. The Town’s municipal code requires that you obtain a business license when you conduct business within the Town of Windsor, even if your business is located OUTSIDE the town limits or if you have a business license from another city.

2. Who is required to have a Town of Windsor business license?

Any person whose business is located in Windsor or conducts business in Windsor must apply for a business license within 30 days of the date the business commences. Conducting business in Windsor without a business license can result in penalties, violation notices, citations and court action.

3. What is the purpose of the business license?

The purpose of a business license is to regulate businesses in order to promote improved enforcement of Town, state, federal, or otherwise applicable codes, rules, regulations or laws, at lower public cost, with a higher level of protection of the public. Licensing helps protect the public against threats to public peace, health, safety and welfare, by ensuring compliance with Town ordinances, including those designed to ensure building safety and discourage public disturbances and nuisances.

4. How much does it cost to obtain a business license?

The initial application fee and first year’s license is $67. The annual renewal fee is $22 per year. Such fees are established by Resolution of the Town Council and may be amended from time to time.

5. How long is the business license good for?

All business licenses are valid until December 31st of each year. At least 60 days prior to expiration of a business license, an application of renewal will be mailed to all current business license holders. Business licenses applied for and issued after October 1 of any year shall be valid through the succeeding calendar year. Business licenses expire at the end of the calendar year, or sooner if the person to whom the license is issued ceases operations authorized by the license or the license is revoked.

6. How are applications reviewed and approved and can conditions be imposed?

The Administrative Services Director shall refer all applications received to the relevant Town departments for review. Each department will examine the application to determine whether any conditions should be assigned to issue the license. Inspection of the site shall be conducted as necessary to determine applicability, compliance with, or the adequacy of conditions to achieve compliance with Town, state, federal or otherwise applicable codes, rules, regulations or laws. The business license will be issued no later than 60 days after the date a complete application is filed, unless grounds for denial exist as established in the Town’s ordinance.

The Administrative Services Director may issue the business license upon such conditions as are necessary to ensure safety and prevent the business from disturbing the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood in which it is located. The conditions may include, but are not limited to the following:

1.Limitations upon hours or days of operation, when required in order to prevent disturbance of the peace and quiet of a neighborhood caused by the business or the patrons of the business
2.Requirement that the business provide licensed or other qualified security personnel for the exterior or interior of the business during operating hours
3.Requirement that the business fund any additional law enforcement services required as a result of the operations of the business
4.The installation of on-site improvements required to prevent operation of the business from disturbing its neighbors at a particular location; or
5.Other conditions related to operations or improvements demonstrated under the particular circumstances to be necessary in order to prevent hazards, disturbance of the peace, quiet or safety of the neighborhood; or other nuisance.

Such conditions may be imposed at the time a business license is initially issued, renewed, or at any time during the term of the license.

7. Do I need a business license if I work out of my home?

Yes. Businesses operated out of the home require a business license and must comply with the Town’s zoning codes. These codes regulate the types of home-based businesses allowed in the Town and the manner in which they may operate.

8. What if I have more than one business or more than one business location?

A separate business license is required for each location or branch of a business within the Town. A business license issued for a fixed location is only valid for the location listed on the license.

9. I just purchased a business. Can I use the business license from the previous owner?

No. A business license cannot be transferred or re-assigned. As a new owner, you need to apply for a new business license in your name.

10. Do state-licensed contractors also need a Town of Windsor business license?

Yes. Any person licensed as a contractor by the State Contractor’s Board must obtain a business license if they are conducting business in the Town, or the business is based in the Town whether conducting business in or outside of the Town.

11. What happens if I pay late?

A business determined to be operating without a business license, when one is required, shall have ten days to obtain the necessary business license. If a complete application is not received by the end of the ten-day period, the applicant will be subject to a penalty of 50% of the application fee. If the business continues to operate beyond the ten-day period, the business may also be subject to other penalties authorized by the Town Code.

An application for a renewal of a business license will be deemed received late and subject to a penalty of 50% of the processing fee if the complete application, including all fees, is not received by the Administrative Services Department within 60 days of the date of expiration of the immediately preceding license. If the business continues to operate without a valid license, the business may be subject to all other penalties authorized by the Town Code.

12. What happens if I don’t pay at all?

Operating a business without a business license in violation of the Town Ordinance, after service of written notice advising of the violation and ordering cessation of operations, is deemed to be a public nuisance and shall constitute a misdemeanor.

Except as otherwise specifically provided; any violation of this Ordinance shall constitute an infraction and will be subject to the fines and administrative penalties as provided in the Ordinance.

The Town may use all available legal means to enforce this Ordinance, including but not limited to, injunctions or other civil proceedings.