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5.08.140 Business License Transfers and Changes.

          a.   Transfers of Ownership. A new business license is required whenever there is a transfer in ownership of a business required to have a license pursuant to Section 5.08.010. If there is no change in the nature or scope of business or in the business location and if the previous owner has a valid business license at the time of transfer, the new license shall be issued upon filing of a complete application and payment of all required fees and taxes. For the purposes of the previous sentence only, the Community Development Department may deem an application complete even without other agency sign-offs. However, if the original business license application process required the business owner to be fingerprinted and/or a background investigation to be conducted, then the new business owner must also be fingerprinted and the new license shall be subject to the Sheriff’s sign-off following a background investigation. The following transactions shall be considered transfers:

                1.   The addition or withdrawal of a new partner or partners; or

                2.   The transfer of a business from one partnership to another; or

                3.   The transfer of a business from a partnership to a corporation; or

                4.   The transfer of a business from one corporation to another; or

                5.   The transfer of a business from a corporation to a partnership; or

                6.   The transfer of a business from a corporation to an individual, or vice versa, unless the corporation and the individual are the same person; or

                7.   The transfer of a business from a partnership to an individual, or vice versa; or

                8.   The transfer of a majority share of stock in a corporation from one shareholder to another.

          b.   Change of Name. Whenever a business required to have a license pursuant to Section 5.08.010 changes its name, the licensee shall submit an application to amend its existing license to reflect the new business name. A new license is not required, provided there is no transfer of ownership or change in the nature or scope of business and if the licensee operating under the previous name has a valid business license at the time of the change of name. For the purpose of the previous sentence the Public Works Department may deem an application complete even without other agency sign-offs.

          c.   Change of Location. Whenever a business required to have a license pursuant to Section 5.08.010 changes its business location, the licensee shall submit an application to amend its existing license to reflect the new business address. A new license is not required, provided there is no transfer of ownership or change in the nature or scope of business and if the licensee operating under the previous name has a valid business license at the time of the change of location. All applicable agency sign-offs are required to approve a license amendment changing a business location.

          d.   Change in Business. A new business license is required whenever there is a change in the nature or scope of the business required to have a license pursuant to Section 5.08.010.

          e.   Vehicle Permit Transfers. Except as otherwise provided, vehicle permits, where required, are interchangeable from one vehicle to another where one vehicle is being put out of operation and another is replacing it.

(Ord. 17-1019 § 4, 2018; Ord. 11-878 § 1, 2011; Ord. 95-451 § 16, 1995; Ord. 90-269 § 1, 1990; prior code § 6330)