HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD2025-009 Title 8 Business LicenseSponsored by: City Clerk
Introduction: May 12, 2025
Public Hearing: June 9, 2025
Enacted: June 9, 2025
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-009
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, AMENDING SEWARD CITY CODE, TITLE 8, CHAPTER
8.30.015 BUSINESS LICENSE REQUIRED AND 8.30.025 APPLICATION
FOR A BUSINESS LICENSE
WHEREAS, Seward is the only city in the Kenai Peninsula Borough that requires a city
business license; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk's office staff spends an onerous amount of time manually
checking borough sales and property tax requirements which are outside the scope of the city's
OpenGov compliance check program; and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the business to maintain compliance with all
borough and state requirements, including but not limited to, sales tax, property tax, health and
safety, fire code, and food sanitation; and
WHEREAS, in order to streamline the application process for city staff, this ordinance
will no longer require city staff to run compliance checks beyond the internal city department
checklist.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF SEWARD ORDAINS, that:
Section 1. Seward City Code Title 8 is hereby amended to read as follows with new
language underlined and deleted language is stfieken:
8.30.015 Business license required.
A. No person may engage in a business in the City without first obtaining an annual or seasonal
business license as provided in section 8.30.025 of this chapter.
B. A separate business license is required for each business.
C. {The business license shall be displayed prominently at the site
of the business.
D. e4A business license may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise conveyed. If a person
ceases to engage in business, -e --changes the name or type of business, Ratur^ Or
leeatien, the business license a e-,. becomes void.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-009
Page 2 of 3
8.30.025 Application for a business license.
A. A person engaging in a business shall apply to the City Clerk for a business license by
completing the required application steps as outlined below.
City and The business shall not open fer busines-s'until the business license is issued. Renewal
license applications must be filed no later than January 31 in each subsequent year, except
that a seasonal business operating during the summer season, May 1 to September 30 only,
shall file a renewal application no later than May 1 in each subsequent year.
B. Each application shall contain
1. The legible signature of the applicant;
2. An affirmation or oath as may be required on the application form; and
3. A description of the type and nature of the business.
C. Each application shall be accompanied by:
1. An annual, non-refundable fee of $30.00 per license, provided that the fee per license
for an application submitted after the due date shall be $60.0 -subject to a late fee.
Business license fees shall be set by City Council fee schedule resolution,
2. a A valid state business
license when such a license is required by state law;
3. i An affirmation that the applicant pessesses a v,';d- will remain in
compliance with the Kenai Peninsula Borough sales tax division; 'O^^n-g^ WheA -;,"."
licence is
4. An affirmation that the applicant has r. ved-an applicable federal
or state occupational license when such license is required by federal and/or state law;
5. Any permits as required by any other sections contained in
this code;
6. Depending on the type of business, the verification process may include fry review
by the city community development department, harbor department, fire department,
police department, electric department, and finance department attesting that a4
the business's accounts are
current and that it is in compliance with the requirements of each of these respective
city departments.
aFee.,�t.
D. Upon receipt of the application, accompanied by the annual fee, the City Clerk shall review
the application and may consult 'with appropriate officials to determine whether the
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
ORDINANCE 2025-009
Page 3 of 3
information contained therein is true and complete and otherwise in compliance with this
chapter.
E. Upon determining that the business application is in compliance with this chapter, the City
Clerk shall issue a business license.
If the application is denied, the City Clerk shall indicate on what grounds the denial is based.
The application fee will not be refunded.
G. It is the responsibility of the business to maintain compliance with all borough and state
requirements, including but not limited to, sales tax, property tax, health and safety,
international fire code, and food sanitation.
H. ,
Failure to obtain a city
business license the applieaRt ;s OR is a violation of this chapter and the business must either
cease engaging in business or be subject to the penalty provisions contained in this chapter.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect ten (10) days upon enactment.
ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA this
9th day of June 2025.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
&&M e C�.r-e_
Sue McClure, Mayor
AYES:
Warner, Barnwell, Wells, Crites, Finch, Osenga, McClure
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
ATTEST:
Kris Peck
City Clerk
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