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6037CITYOFRENTON,WASHINGTONORDINANCENO.6037ANORDINANCEOFTHECITYOFRENTON,WASHINGTON,AMENDINGSECTION5-5-3OFTHERENTONMUNICIPALCODE,AMENDINGBUSINESSLICENSEREGULATIONSTOEXEMPTCERTAINRESIDENTIALLANDLORDSFROMBUSINESSLICENSEREGISTRATIONREQUIREMENTS,CLARIFYINGAPPLICATIONREVIEWPROCESSANDTHECITY’SAUTHORITYTODENYLICENSES,PROVIDINGFORSEVERABILITY,ANDESTABLISHINGANEFFECTIVEDATE.WHEREAS,theCitydesirestoexemptlandlordswhoseonlybusinessactivityintheCityisrentingresidentialdwellingunitsfromregisteringthroughtheCity’sbusinesslicenseprogramsolongastheyseparatelyregisterthroughtheCity’srentalregistrationandinspectionprogram;andWHEREAS,theCitydesirestoclarifythatbusinesslicenseandregistrationapplicationsmaybedeniedbaseduponabusiness’sfailuretoestablishtheirintentandabilitytocomplywithlawsandregulationsapplicabletosuchbusiness;NOW,THEREFORE,THECITYCOUNCILOFTHECITYOFRENTON,WASHINGTON,DOORDAINASFOLLOWS:SECTIONI.AllportionsoftheRentonMunicipalCodeinthisordinancenotshowninstrikethroughandunderlineeditsremainineffectandunchanged.SECTIONII.Section5-5-3oftheRentonMunicipalCodeisamendedasfollows:5-5-3GENERALBUSINESSLICENSEREGISTRATION:A.GeneralBusinessLicenseRegistrationRequired:1.NopersonshallengageinbusinessunlesssuchpersonhassubmittedageneralbusinesslicenseregistrationandholdsavalidCityofRentongeneralbusinesslicense.Thegeneralbusinesslicenseshallnotbetransferable.Ifaperson1 ORDINANCENO.6037maintainsmorethanoneplaceofbusinesswithintheCityaseparategeneralbusinesslicenseregistrationisrequiredforeach,withthefollowingexceptions:a.Temporaryorportablesaleswhichwillonlyberequiredtosubmitoneregistration;andb.Aseparatelicenseforlandlords,asthattermisdefinedinRMC4-5-125.C,isnotrequiredforeachseparaterentaldwellingunit,asthattermisdefinedinRMC4-5-125.C;exceptthatpropertymanagerswhomaintainoff-siteofficesshallobtainaseparatelicenseforeachoff-siteoffice.2.IfapersonengagesinnootheractivitiesinorwiththeCityexceptthefollowing,demonstratedthroughmeanssatisfactorytotheAdministrator,itneednotregister:a.ActingwithinthescopeofemploymentasanemployeeofadulylicensedCitybusiness;b.Owningoractingaslessororsublessorofrealpropertyoccupiedwithone(1)ormorerentaldwellingunits,asthattermisdefinedinRMC4-5-125.C,andsuchrentaldwellingunitsareeachregisteredpursuanttoRMC4-5-125;exceptthatapersonwhoemploysemployeesorrentsapropertymeetingthedefinitionofashorttermrental,asthattermisusedinRMC4-4-055,isnotexemptfromregistration.i.Arenotrentedtoothers;ii.Consistofrentalonabyroombasiswithinarentaldwellingunitthatisotherwiseoccupiedbythepropertyowner,exceptthataproperty2 ORDINANCENO.6037meetingthedefinitionofashorttermrental,asthattcrmisusedinRMC1055,isnotrrmntiii.Arercntedonlytofamilymembersofthcpropertyowner.c.ActivitiesforwhichrequirementofabusinesslicensewouldviolateWashingtonStateorfederallaw.B.GeneralBusinessLicenseRegistrationFee:1.GeneralBusinessLicenseRegistrationFeeRequired:Thegeneralbusinesslicenseregistrationfeeofonehundredfiftydollars($150.00)shallbedueandpayablewhenfilingacompletedregistrationformasprescribedbytheAdministrator.Thegeneralbusinesslicenseregistrationfeemaybeadjustedfromtimetotime,aspublishedinthecurrentCityofRentonFeeSchedule.Ifabusinessenterprise’sfirstdateofengaginginbusinessintheCityisafterJuly1,aproratedhalfyeargeneralbusinesslicenseregistrationfeewillbedueintheamountofseventy-fivedollars($75).2.Exemptions:Thefollowingareexemptfromthegeneralbusinesslicenseregistrationfee,ifdemonstratedthroughmeanssatisfactorytotheAdministrator:a.Non-ProfitExemption:Apersonthatcandemonstratethatitisexemptfromfederalincometaxationpursuantto26U.S.CodeSubsections501(c)or(d),asthosesubsectionsmaybeamendedorrecodified.b.ThresholdExemption:Apersonthatcandemonstratethat(1)itsbusinesshas,asapplicabletothetypeofbusiness,anannualvalueofproducts,3 ORDINANCENO.6037grossproceedsofsales,andgrossincomeintheCityequaltoorlessthantwothousanddollars($2,0001,aggregated,and(2)itdoesnotmaintainaplaceofbusinesswithintheCity.Thisexemptiondoesnotapplytoapersonwhosebusinessrequiresorobtainsaregulatorylicenseorspecializedpermit.c.ResidentialRentalPropertyOwnerExemption:ApersonregisteringaplaceofbusincsswithintheCityatwhichsuchperson’sengagementinbusinessislimitedtoowningandrenting/leasingoneormorerentaldwellingunits,asthattermisdefinedinRMC45125.C.3.TimeWithinWhichtoClaimOverpaymentofGeneralBusinessLicenseRegistrationFee:Ifapersonmakesanoverpaymentofageneralbusinesslicenseregistrationfee,and,withinfour(4)yearsafterdateofsuchoverpayment,makesapplicationforarefundorcreditoftheoverpayment,itsclaimshallbeallowedandberepaidfromthegeneralfundorbeappliedasacredittoannualrenewalfeesasapprovedbytheAdministrator.C.IssuanceandPostingofGeneralBusinessLicense:1.AllgeneralbusinesslicensesshallbeissuedbytheAdministrator.ThedecisiontoissueordenyageneralbusinesslicenseshallbemadebytheAdministrator.TheAdministrator’sfinaldecisionmaybeappealedinaccordancewiththisChapter.AnyappealstotheHearingExaminershallbegovernedbytherulesandproceduresprescribedbyRMC4-8-110.2.TheAdministratorshallkeeparecordofallthegeneralbusinesslicensesissuedbytheCityofRenton.Eachlicenseshallbenumbered,andshall4 ORDINANCENO.6037showthename,placeofbusinesswithintheCityandanyotherinformationastheAdministratorshalldeemnecessary.3.ThegeneralbusinesslicenseholderisrequiredtoensurethatatalltimesthelicensebepostedintheplaceofbusinesswithintheCityforwhichitisissued,orinthecaseofabusinessenterprisewithatemporaryorportablesaleslocation,becarriedonthepersonoftheholderthereofatalltimesduringbusinesshoursorwhilesuchbusinessisbeingcarriedon,andshallbedisplayedattherequestofanyinterestedpersonorCityofficialorrepresentative.4.TheAdministratorisauthorizedtoimplementproceduresforacceptingandprocessingapplicationstoreviewtheapplicant’scomplianceorintendedcompliancewithalllawsandregulationsthatrelatetotheoperationofthebusiness.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,complianceorintendedcompliancewithlanduse,fire,building,oranyhealthandsafetyregulationrelatedtotheoperationofthebusiness.Applicationsmaybeheldandsuspendedduringsuchreviewprocesstoinvestigatetheexistenceofsuspectednoncompliance.ApplicantsarerequiredtocooperatewithandrespondtorequestsfromtheCityforinformationduringthisprocessandfailuretodosocooperateissufficientgroundsfortheCitytodenytheapplication.NotwithstandingtheCity’srevieworinformationprovidedtotheCitybytheapplicant,theissuanceorrenewalofabusinesslicenseshallnotbeconstruedaspermissiontoconductbusinessinawaythatviolatesanylaworregulation.TheissuanceorrenewalofabusinesslicenseshallnotpreventtheAdministratorfromlaterdenyingorS ORDINANCENO.6037revokingthelicenseforviolationsoflawnorpreventtheCityfromtakingenforcementactiontoabate,correct,and/orpenalizefortheviolationsoflaw—regardlessofwhethertheAdministratorhadorshouldhavehadinformationthatindicatedthebusinesshadorintendedtoviolatesuchlawsorregulationsatthetimeabusinesslicensewasissuedorrenewed.D.ExpirationandRenewal:1.Expiration:UnlessotherwiseestablishedbytheAdministrator,generalbusinesslicensesexpireonJanuary31oftheyearafterissuanceandmustberenewedbytheduedateasdescribedinsubsectionD.2below.2.DueDates:GeneralbusinesslicenseregistrationfeesareduebythelastdayofJanuary.3.RenewalNotice:TheCitymay,butisnotrequired,tomailrenewalforms,butfailureofthepersontoreceiveanysuchformshallnotexcusethepersonfrommakingapplicationforandsecuringthelicenserequiredandpayingthelicensefeewhenandasdue.E.Penalties:1.MonetaryPenaltyforFailuretoObtainLicense:Thepenaltyforfailuretoobtainageneralbusinesslicenseshallnotbelessthantwohundredandfiftydollars($250.00)orasprescribedintheCityofRentonFeeSchedule,pluspaymentofalllicensefeeamountsthatshouldhavebeenpaidforthelastfour(4)years,asdeterminedbytheAdministrator,plusapenaltyoftenpercent(10%)perannumforallamountsowing,plusanyaccounting,legaloradministrative6 ORDINANCENO.6037expensesincurredbytheCityindeterminingtheunreported,ortheunpaidportionoverthelastfour(4)yearsorincollectingthepenalty.2.MonetaryPenaltyforFailuretoPayLicenseFee:Failuretopaythelicensefeewhendueandpayableshallresultinapenaltyoffivepercent(5%)oftheamountofthelicensefeeforthefirstmonthofthedelinquencyandanadditionalpenaltyoffivepercent(5%)foreachsucceedingmonthofdelinquency,butnotexceedingatotalpenaltyoffifteenpercent(15%)oftheamountofsuchlicensefee.3.Collection:AnylicensefeedueandunpaidandallpenaltiesunderthisChaptermaybecollectedbycivilaction,whichremedyshallbeinadditiontoanyandallotherexistingremediesandpenalties.4.Denial,SuspensionorRevocationofGeneralBusinessLicense:a.TheAdministratormaydenyorsuspendanylicenseapplicationand/orrevokeanylicenseissuedpursuanttothisChaptertoanypersonorotherlicenseholderwho:i.IsindefaultinanypaymenttotheCity,exceptforcurrenttaxesandotherobligationsnotpastdue;ii.Hasobtainedalicenseorpermitbyfraud,misrepresentation,orconcealment;iii.Isorhasbeenconvictedof,forfeitsbondupon,orpleadsguiltytoanyfelonyoffensedirectlyrelatedtotheoperationoftheapplicant’sorlicenseholder’sbusiness;7 ORDINANCENO.6037iv.Makesfalsestatements,misrepresentationsorfailstodisclosematerialfactstotheCityrelatedtoanypermitsorapplications;v.HasoperatedorintendstooperatethebusinessinawaythatVviolatesorallowsemployees,visitors,orpatronstoviolatefederal,state,ormunicipallaw,includingbutnotlimitedtoapplicable;orviolate5anylanduse,building,safety,fireLorhealthregulationonthepremisesonorinwhichbusinessisconducted;orvi.Failstoobtainormaintainavalidstatebusinesslicenseorspecialendorsementforaspecificactivity.vii.FailstocooperatewithorprovideinformationtotheCityuponrequestduringitsreviewoftheapplication.b.Chronicnuisancepremises:I.InadditiontotheprovisionsofRMC5-5-3.E.4.a,ageneralbusinesslicensemayberevokedifthecommercial,entertainmentorretailbusinessenterprise,ortheowner(s),person(s)incontrol,orthemanagingagent(s)ofthebusinessenterprise,permit,suffer,maintain,carryonorallowuponorwithintwohundredfeet(200’)ofsuchbusinessactivitiesthatmeetorexceedthecriteriaidentifiedinRMC5-5-2.G(CHRONICNUISANCEPREMISES).Ifthepersonincontrolisnotthelegalowner,thepersonincontrolandownerarebothjointlyliableforanychronicnuisancepremises.BoththeownerandpersonincontrolaresubjecttotheprovisionsandremediesinthisChapterandRMC1-3-3.Applicationofeitherofthesechaptersagainstonepartydoesnotpreclude8 ORDINANCENO.6037applicationtoanotherpartywhoisanownerorpersonincontrolofachronicnuisancepremises.ii.BasedonachronicnuisancepremisesfindingbytheAdministratororbyacourtofcompetentjurisdiction,thelicenserevocationperiodshallbeasfollows:(a)Ten(10)calendardaysforafindingofachronicnuisancepremisesasdefinedinRMC5-5-2.G.1.a.(b)Thirty(30)calendardaysforafindingofachronicnuisancepremisesasdefinedinRMC5-5-2.G.1.b.(c)Ninety(90)calendardaysforafindingofachronicnuisancepremisesasdefinedinRMC5-5-2.G.1.c.(d)Immediatelyifthecommercial,entertainmentorretailbusinessenterprise,ortheperson(s)incontrol,orthemanagingagent(s)ofthebusinessenterprisepermit,suffer,maintain,carryonorallowuponorwithintwohundredfeet(200’)ofsuchbusinessactivitieswhichamounttoanemergencythataCityadministratororlawenforcementofficerreasonablybelievesrequiresimmediateactiontopreventoreliminateanimmediatethreattopublichealth,morals,safety,orwelfareofpersonsorpropertyintheCityofRenton.(e)Astheobjectiveofthissubsectionistoencouragecompliance,ifthepersonorpersonswhoareresponsibleorincontroloftheplaceofbusinesswithintheCityabatethecondition(s)thatcreated,caused,permitted,allowed,ornecessitatedthecallsforservicetothesatisfactionofthe9 ORDINANCENO.6037AdministratorinconsultationwiththeCityofRentonPoliceChief,theremainingperiodofrevocationshallbewaivedandthelicense,subjecttothepaymentofallapplicablefees,penalties,andcosts,shallbereissued.iii.IfanypersonorpersonswhoareresponsibleorincontroloftheplaceofbusinesswithintheCitycreate,cause,permitorallowincidentsthatamounttotwo(2)ormorechronicnuisancepremisesfindingsasdefinedbyRMC5-5-2.G.1.c,theAdministratormaysuspendthatlicenseforone(1)year,withouttheopportunitytoabate,andtheAdministratormayconsiderthecircumstancesandfindingsinanyfutureapplicationrequestbyanypersonassociatedwiththeoffendingbusinessenterpriseorthepersonorpersonswhowereresponsibleorincontroloftheoffendingbusinessenterprise.iv.Anyoffensethatamountstomorethananuisance,includingbutnotlimitedtoclassAorBfelonies,mayresultinrevocationthatisnotlimitedtoRMC5-5-3.E.4.b.ii,andotherpenaltiesand/orpunishmentsconsistentwiththeRMCand/ortheRCW.5.EngaginginBusinessWithoutaGeneralBusinessLicense:Itshallbeillegalforanypersonand/orlicenseholdertofailtoobtainormaintainageneralbusinesslicenseandyetengageinbusinesswithinCitylimits.Eachbusinessenterprise,itsowneroragentwhofailstoobtainormaintainageneralbusinesslicense,inadditiontothefines/penaltiescontainedinsubsections5-5-3.E.1or2asthcyexistormaybeamended,shallbeguiltyofamisdemeanor,andsubjecttothepenaltiesofRMC1-3-1,asitexistsormaybeamended.10 ORDINANCENO.60376.GrossMisdemeanorforFalseStatementorRepresentation:ItshallbeagrossmisdemeanorunderRCW9A.72.040(Falseswearing),asitexistsormaybeamended,punishableunderRMC1-3-1foranypersonincludingbutnotlimitedtotheowners,shareholders,partners,orprincipals,whetherforthemselves,forothersorbyotherstosignageneralbusinesslicenseapplication,whichisrequitedtomaintainageneralbusinesslicense,tomakeanyfalseorfraudulentapplicationorfalsestatementorrepresentationin,orinconnectionwith,anysuchapplication.7.OrdertoCloseBusinessEnterprise:Anylawenforcementofficer,codecomplianceofficer,ortheAdministratormayserveanoticeorderingabusinessenterprisetocloseanddiscontinueoperationintheCitywhichoperateswithoutavalidgeneralbusinesslicense,orwhichviolatesorotherwisefailstocomplywithanyprovisionofthisChapter.Thatnoticemaybeservedinpersonorbycertifiedmail,returnreceiptrequested.Thenoticeshallindicatethereason(s)thatthebusinessenterpriseisorderedtoclose.8.Appeals:a.ApersonshallhavetherighttoappealanadversedecisionmadebytheAdministratorunderthisChapterbyfilingawrittennoticeofappealwiththeCityClerkwithinten(10)calendardaysofreceiptofthedecision,orwithinthirteen(13)calendardaysofmailingofthedecision,whicheverislater.ThewrittennoticeofappealshallprovideinformationassertingwhytheAdministrator’sdecisionshouldbereversedormodified.11 ORDINANCENO.6037b.Forappealsofalldecisionsexceptthoseassertinganemergency,theAdministratorshallreviewtheappealandenteranorderaffirming,reversing,ormodifyingthedecision.Theordershallbemadeinwritingandacopyprovidedtotheappellanteitherinpersonorbymail.TheappellantshallhavearighttoappealtheordertotheCity’sHearingExaminerbyfilingawrittennoticeofappealwiththeCityClerkwithintwenty(20)calendardaysofthedateoftheorder.TherulesandproceduresgoverningsuchappealshallbetherulesandproceduresprescribedbyRMC4-8-110.c.Forappealsofdecisionsassertinganemergency,theappealshallbescheduledforhearingdirectlywiththeCity’sHearingExaminerattheearliestpossibletimeafterreceiptoftheappeal.TherulesandproceduresgoverningsuchappealshallbetherulesandproceduresprescribedbyRMC4-8-110.9.PriortotheAdministratorissuingorreissuingageneralbusinesslicenseallunpaidfeesandpenaltiesshallbepaid.F.Rules:TheAdministratorshallhavetheauthoritytoadopt,publishandenforcerulesandregulationsnotinconsistentwiththisChapterorwiththelawforthepurposeofcarryingouttheprovisionsofthisChapter,anditshallbeunlawfulforanypersontoviolateorfailtocomplywithanysuchrulesorregulations.SECTIONIII.Ifanysection,subsection,sentence,clause,phraseorworkofthisordinanceshouldbeheldtobeinvalidorunconstitutionalbyacourtorcompetentjurisdiction,12 ORDINANCENO.6037suchinvalidityorunconstitutionalitythereofshallnotaffecttheconstitutionalityofanyothersection,subsection,sentence,clause,phraseorwordofthisordinance.SECTIONIV.ThisordinanceshalltakefullforceandeffectonJanuary1,2022.Nolaterthanfive(5)dayspriortosucheffectivedate,asummaryofthisordinanceconsistingofitstitleshallbepublishedintheCity’sofficialnewspaper.PASSEDBYTHECITYCOUNCILthis22nddayofNovember,2021.%)6Jaso7A.Seth,%ftClerkAPPROVEDBYTHEMAYORthis22nddayofNovembe,2021./Approvedastoform:ShaneMoloney,CityAttorneyDateofPublication:11/25/2021(Summary)ORD:2188:11/2/21rmonoPavone,Mayor13