Business license changes on tap

By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Owners of multiple rental properties in Hartselle will soon be required to purchase business licenses.
That's one of the changes the city is instituting following a state-wide effort to make business licenses more uniform. The state is recommending each city adopt a list of categories in relation to who is required to have a business license to operate.
The changes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2008.
"Our goal is to remain as close to revenue neutral as possible," Mayor Dwight Tankersley said. "Most people won't notice a big change."
Business licenses will now be issued on gross receipts rather than flat fees as some categories had been charged in the past.
Business licenses will also be required for people who own rental property, including apartment complexes. Hartselle has not traditionally required rental property owners to purchase a business license. The new regulations will require a license for anyone with more than one rental property. For gross receipts of up to $25,000, a business license for a rental property owner would be $110.
The state did make some recommendations on the fees, but the city is going with a lower-cost option.
Hartselle's business license ordinance has not been changed since the 1970s. Tankersley said the new listing will clear up some ambiguous parts, including adding a category for restaurants. In the past, Tankersley said restaurants have been grouped with grocery stores.