[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Commission of the City of Lapeer 4-12-2007 (Ch. 59 of the 1978 General Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of business registration in the City of Lapeer is to promote the general health, safety and welfare of the citizens by identifying business locations and operations within the City to enhance the efficient delivery of City services, including police, fire, water and wastewater services and to promote compliance with all planning, zoning, building, tax, and all related City ordinances and codes.
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
BUSINESS
Any trade, occupation, work, commerce, profession, and all devices, machines, vehicles, and appurtenances used therein, any of which are conducted for private profit or benefit, either directly or indirectly on any premises in this City or anywhere else within its jurisdiction.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, association, or corporation sharing in the profits of the business.
A. 
No person shall engage in a business without having first obtained a business registration from the City of Lapeer in the manner provided for in this chapter. Any person duly registered on the effective date of this chapter shall be deemed registered hereunder for the balance of the current registration year.
B. 
It shall be the duty of every person or registered business to report any changes in the information furnished with the current registration within five business days of such change occurring.
C. 
Multiple businesses. The granting of a business registration shall not relieve the person to whom such registration is granted from the necessity of securing individual licenses or permits for each individual business.
D. 
State-licensed business. The granting of a business registration to any person or business by the state in the operation, conduct or carrying on of any trade, profession, business, or privilege shall not exempt such person from the necessity of securing a business registration from the City if such registration is required by this chapter.
[Amended 5-17-2021]
A. 
The registration year shall begin January 1 of each year and shall terminate at midnight on December 31 of the following year. No registration will be issued until the required fees are paid.
B. 
The registration fees for periods of January 1 through August 31 shall be the same as a full registration year, and the registration fee for periods of September 1 through December 31 shall be 1/2 of a full registration year, and the effective date of such registration shall commence with the date of issuance thereof.
Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, every person or business required to obtain a registration from the City of Lapeer to engage in a business shall make application for such registration to the City Clerk, or designee, upon forms provided by the City Clerk, or designee, and shall state under oath or affirmation such facts as may be required for, or applicable to, the granting of such registration.
A. 
The issuing of a business registration from the City of Lapeer does not waive mandated licenses (i.e., state, health, building inspection, fire inspection, etc.).
B. 
Acceptance by any person or business of a business registration under this chapter shall constitute permission to any officer of the City to enter upon and inspect the licensed premises at all reasonable times.
A. 
The initial fee, renewal fee, and late fees for registration shall be set forth in the City of Lapeer Fee Schedule as approved by the City Commission.
B. 
No registration shall be issued until the required fees are paid.
C. 
All fees for the renewal of any business registration which are not paid at the time such fees are due shall incur late fees as outlined in the City of Lapeer Fee Schedule.
D. 
No rebate or refund shall be made of any license fee or part thereof by reason of the death of the licensee, nonuse of the license or discontinuance of the operation of the business.
[Added 5-17-2021]
No registration may be transferred from one business to another. A registration may be transferred for a change in location of a business within the City of Lapeer's jurisdiction. Each registration holder shall immediately notify the Clerk's office, or designee, of any change in location of a business, address, or any other change in the information provided in the registration application.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 and/or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment, and any other relief that may be imposed by the court.