09-17-25 EDC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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2025 Business License vs. Business Registrations Process Business Licenses In Arden Hills, certain types of businesses, occupations, and activities are regulated with licenses so that the public welfare shall be protected and promoted. Chapter 3 of City Code – Licenses and Regulations, Section 300 states the Council shall assign license fees for certain businesses and that a license is required to engage in any business. Section 310 itemizes the various types of licenses required by the City that have an associated fee. It is important to note that some licenses contained in this section are required by law (such as liquor, tobacco, massage, garbage/recycling) and other license types are at the discretion of the City Council. Business licenses are issued for the calendar year and must be renewed annually. Staff mails a business license/registration application form with a letter requesting the business complete the form and return it along with a copy of their Certificate of Insurance showing the business has current insurance coverage, as well as payment for the associated license fee. Business license fees are based on the City’s fee schedule which is reviewed annually by the City Council. Business Registrations Some businesses do not have a fee associated with the type of business. Generally, these businesses do not have tangible goods/services along with their business, and examples are an insurance adjuster/company, counseling services, etc. Staff mails the same letter and application form to these businesses as they are urged to complete and submit the application and attain a business registration (a Certificate of Insurance is also requested). General Process The process of obtaining a license or registration provides valuable information to the City so that we know what businesses are operating in Arden Hills. Knowing what businesses are here is a tool the City can utilize to provide outreach to the businesses for various reasons (surveys, notification of potential programs for business assistance (think COVID), communications about a road project that will impact them (think Ramsey County’s Lexington Avenue project) and so forth). The City initiates the renewal process generally in October/November for the following calendar year period. Businesses are asked to return their information by a certain due date; however, staff will follow up after the first of the year with a secondary renewal letter, giving the business another opportunity to obtain their license or get registered. Note that this past year, the Deputy Clerk made two additional attempts after the first of the year to connect with businesses that had not yet returned their information. The City does publish a list of businesses that have obtained a license or registration for the current year; however, it is challenging for the City to ensure the list of businesses is accurate. Businesses do not necessarily contact the City when they move into Arden Hills. For example, City staff may learn that a new business has started operating in Arden Hills after receiving a new building or