[R.O. 2011 §5.04.010; Prior Code §18-12; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
It is unlawful for any person to engage in any business, occupation, pursuit, profession or trade, or in keeping or maintaining any institution, establishment, article, utility or commodity, without first procuring and paying for a license to do so as required by this Chapter.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.020; Prior Code §18-3; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
A license may be issued to any corporation, association or partnership, or to two (2) or more persons engaged in any joint enterprise, the same as to a single person and for the same fee, except where otherwise specially provided.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.030; Prior Code §18-4; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
A separate license shall be obtained for each place of business conducted, operated, maintained or carried on by every person engaged in any occupation, calling, trade or enterprise for which a license is required by the provisions of this Code or other ordinances of the City. The Director of Finance shall be notified of any change of address of such place of business within one (1) week of any such change.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.040; Prior Code §18-5; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
A. 
Whenever any applicant for a license is engaged in more than one (1) occupation or business at the same address, such applicant may, at the applicant's option, in lieu of making application and paying for a separate occupation or business license for each such occupation or business, make application and pay for the occupation or business license for only the major or principal business or occupation of the applicant at such address.
B. 
The license fee for all such occupations or businesses shall be computed on the basis of the total annual gross receipts of the applicant derived from all of the occupations or businesses in which the applicant is engaged at such address, and the only minimum license fee required to be paid shall be the one for the occupation or business license for which application is made; provided however, that this Section shall apply only to those occupations or businesses where the license fee in each case would be computed on the basis of the annual gross receipts of such occupations or businesses if a separate license were issued for each such occupation or business.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.050; Prior Code §18-16; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
For the purposes of this Chapter, "annual gross receipts" shall, subject to the provisions of Section 605.060, mean the total amount of the selling price for all sales of materials, goods, wares or merchandise, and the total amount of commission or other remuneration charged or received for the performance of any act or service, of whatever nature it may be, for which a charge is made or credit allowed, whether or not such act or service is done as a part of or in connection with the sale of materials, goods, wares or merchandise. Included in annual gross receipts shall be receipts, cash, credits and property of any kind or nature, without any deduction therefrom on account of the cost of the property sold, the cost of the materials used, labor or service costs, interest paid or payable, or losses or other expenses whatsoever, receipts of agents, brokers or trustees received as commissions or fees earned or charges of any nature made or compensation of any nature received for the performance of any services as agent, broker or trustee, or profits received when such agent, broker or trustee participates as a principal in any transaction.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.060; Prior Code §18-17.1; Ord. No. 5571 §1, 10-20-1986]
A. 
The following shall be excluded from annual gross receipts as defined by Section 605.050; provided that the books of account segregate the amounts so as to reflect these exclusions:
1. 
Cash and trade stamp discounts allowed and taken on sales;
2. 
Value of property accepted as part of the purchase price for subsequent resale;
3. 
Any sales and excise taxes collected which are separately stated and collected for and paid to a governmental agency;
4. 
Such part of the sale price of property returned by the purchaser as is refunded either in cash or by credit;
5. 
Receipts of refundable deposits, except that refundable deposits forfeited and taken into income of the business shall not be excluded;
6. 
Collection for others where the business is acting as an agent or trustee to the extent that payments are made to those for whom collected;
7. 
Sales of real estate or insurance policies by an agent or broker; or sales of commodities by a commission broker, except that portion of the sale which represents commissions or other income to the agent;
8. 
That portion of the receipts of a general contractor which represents payments to subcontractors; provided however, that payment by the general contractor to the subcontractor must be produced as a condition precedent to the allowance of this exclusion;
9. 
Liquor sales in an amount which, if taxed at the rate of one dollar sixteen cents ($1.16) per one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of sales, would yield a revenue equal to the annual license fee, or the actual receipts from liquor sales, whichever is the lesser;
10. 
From the receipts of vending machine companies, the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) for each automatic vending machine licensed in the City;
11. 
Gasoline sales.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.070; Prior Code §18-1; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
The Director of Finance shall prescribe the form of all licenses and applications therefor. Except as otherwise provided by this Code or other ordinance, all licenses shall be signed by the City Manager and City Clerk and shall be invalid for all purposes unless so signed.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.080; Prior Code §18-9; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
The Director of Finance shall keep a complete and perfect record of all licenses issued showing the nature of the license, its date, expiration and to whom issued.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.090; Prior Code §18-2; Ord. No. 3921 §1; Ord. No. 4559 §1]
A. 
No license or permit, provided for or required under any provision of this Code or other ordinance of the City, shall be issued by any department of the City Government to any person until all personal taxes, merchants' and manufacturers' taxes, or other license fees, permit fees, inspection fees or any other financial obligations which are delinquent and owing to the City have been paid. No license application or renewal application shall be approved by the Director of Finance until an occupancy permit has been issued by the City.
B. 
Each applicant for a business license under this Chapter shall submit a statement from the Missouri Department of Revenue pursuant to Section 144.083.4, RSMo., stating no tax is due, which statement is a prerequisite to the issuance or renewal of a City business license. The statement required by this Section shall be dated within ninety (90) days of submission of the business license application or renewal application.
C. 
Dog licenses are excepted from the provisions of this Section.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.100; Prior Code §18-6; Ord. No. 3921 §1; Ord. No. 5355 §1, 2-28-1983]
Except as otherwise specifically provided by ordinance, the license year for all occupational, business or other licenses shall begin May first (1st) and end April thirtieth (30th). All such licenses shall be due and payable on or before April thirtieth (30th) of each year.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.110; Prior Code §18-18; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
Every person for whom a license fee is required by this Chapter, and said fee is to be computed upon the annual gross receipts of such business shall furnish the City with a correct statement in writing showing the amount of such annual gross receipts, which statement shall not be made public or used by the City except for the purpose of establishing a correct basis for fixing and collecting the amount of his/her license herein provided. The issuance of any such license may be withheld until all the requirements thereof have been fulfilled.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.120; Prior Code §18-17.2; Ord. No. 5571 §1, 10-20-1986]
There shall be allowed as a credit to the license fee based on the annual gross receipts fee the following: Any business license fee paid to Cities other than University City.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.130; Prior Code §18-7; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
An occupation or business whose license fee is computed on the basis of annual gross receipts may elect to report on a fiscal year basis; provided that the accounting statements and Federal Government reports are made according to the fiscal year; provided further, that the application to the City for a license shall indicate the fiscal period for which annual gross receipts are reported. An occupation or business electing to report on a fiscal year basis must secure the consent of the Director of Finance before changing the reporting method.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.140; Prior Code §18-11; Ord. No. 3921 §1; Ord. No. 4470 §1; Ord. No. 5264 §1, 11-3-1980]
Every person conducting any business, industry or enterprise for which no license is specified in this Chapter or in any other Section of this Code shall procure a license therefor from the City and pay a license fee of thirty dollars ($30.00) per year for the same.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.150; Prior Code §18-8; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
All licenses or occupational taxes required to be paid by any provision of this Code or other ordinance of the City shall be deemed delinquent if not paid on the date such payment is due; and all persons so delinquent in the payment of such taxes shall be required to pay an additional five percent (5%) of the tax found to be due for the first (1st) month or part thereof and five percent (5%) per month for each month or part thereof thereafter such delinquency shall continue, not exceeding twenty-five percent (25%) in the aggregate.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.160; Prior Code §18-10; Ord. No. 3921 §1; Ord. No. 4672 §1]
A. 
All licenses granted by the City shall be carefully preserved and shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in the places of business authorized to be conducted by such licenses.
B. 
Any license issued in the form of a decal or sticker shall be affixed to the object licensed.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.170; Prior Code §18-15; Ord. No. 3921 §1; Ord. No. 4427 §1]
The Director of Finance, or any designated deputy or designated agent or designated certified public accountant employed by the Director of Finance, shall have the right to subpoena business records and books of any license holder or applicant for any license; and the Director of Finance shall further have the right at all reasonable times during regular business hours to audit or examine the books and records of any license holder or any applicant for any license for the purpose of determining the truthfulness and accuracy of any statements made by a license holder in the license holder's application for license or the payment of the license holder's license tax.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.180; Prior Code §18-13; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
It is unlawful for any person to knowingly make a false statement in his/her application for license as to his/her annual gross receipts, or as to other conditions or factors upon which the license fee is or shall be based.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.190; Prior Code §18-14; Ord. No. 3921 §1]
Any person found making a statement showing annual gross receipts in an amount less than the true amount thereof in his/her application for a license, or knowingly making a false statement as to any other condition or factor upon which the license fee is or shall be based, the effect of which would be to reduce the amount of such fee, shall, in addition to all other penalties now provided by law, pay to the Director of Finance, upon demand therefor, the additional amount of license fee found to be due, plus a penalty of twenty-five percent (25%) of such additional amount, with interest on the additional license fee of one percent (1%) per month for each month or major fraction thereof after the date when the original license fee was due and payable to the Director of Finance; and any license theretofore issued to any such person shall be subject to revocation if so determined by the Council.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.200; Prior Code §18-14.1; Ord. No. 4441 §1]
In addition to the penalties provided in Section 605.190, if the City Council revokes the license under the terms of such Section, then the City Council may further, in its discretion, revoke the occupancy permit of the premises occupied by such person, firm or corporation.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.220; Prior Code §18-19; Ord. No. 4376 §1; Ord. No. 4471 §1; Ord. No. 4531 §1; Ord. No. 4621 §1; Ord. No. 4749 §1; Ord. No. 5007 §1; Ord. No. 5224 §1, 5-12-1980; Ord. No. 5251 §1, 11-30-1980; Ord. No. 5338 §1, 7-12-1982; Ord. No. 5356 §1, 2-28-1983; Ord. No. 5467 §3, 1-28-1985; Ord. No. 6192, 1999; Ord. No. 6722 §3, 2008; Ord. No. 6756 §3, 2008]
Every person engaged in any business, occupation, pursuit, profession or trade or in the keeping or maintaining of any institution, establishment, article, utility or commodity specified in this Section shall procure and pay for a license therefor from the City; and such license fees shall be in the respective amounts set out in this Section except as otherwise provided by this Code or by ordinance:
Ambulance company, whether operated independently or in connection with some institution, for each vehicle, per year
$17.50
Amusement centers
$100.00
Automatic coin-operated amusement machines, including, but not limited to, pinball machines, shuffleboard tables or courts and hobby horse machines, per machine, per year
$35.00
Automatic vending machine companies, per year
$1,167.00
Auction sales, per day
$58.00
Billiard halls
$500.00
Billiard and pool tables, per table, per year
$17.50
Bowling and tenpin alleys, per alley, per year
$17.50
Carnivals and circuses, and accompanying sideshows, per day
$58.00
Employment agencies, per year
$87.50
Itinerant vendor as defined in Section 150.380, RSMo., per day
$30.00
Jukeboxes, per box, per year
$17.50
Open-air parks and gardens, where admission is charged, per year
$58.00
Penny arcades, per year
$17.50
Ping-pong tables, per table, per year
$17.50
Restaurants and soft drink establishments:
Every person engaged in the business of operating a restaurant or soft drink establishment shall make an annual return in the same manner and pay the same license tax as is provided in Sections 605.360 to 605.390 for merchants, except the minimum license tax per year shall be
$35.00
Any person licensed as a restaurant or soft drink establishment for the first time prior to the first day of July of any year shall be subject to the minimum charge of
$35.00
For any such business license for the first time on July 1st or thereafter, minimum charge
$17.50
Skating rink, roller or ice, per year
$58.00
Taxicab company, per year
$350.00
Vending machines, food and merchandise, per year:
Machines operating with a nickel
$16.00
Machines operating with a dime
$12.00
Machines operating for an amount in excess of $0.10, including cigarette machines
$35.00
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.230; Prior Code §18-19.1; Ord. No. 4557 §1; Ord. No. 5357 §1, 2-28-1993]
A. 
The Director of Finance or any of the director's duly authorized representatives are authorized to seize and impound any coin-operated vending and dispensing machines or any devices for the sale of goods, wares or merchandise, cigarettes, cigars, candy, food, gum and beverages; any automatic coin-operated amusement machine; or any coin-operated machine or slot or slug device for the purpose of showing a person's weight, providing storage for articles, lockers, and in taking photographs of persons, found within the City, which is being operated or exposed for operation in violation of the provisions of Section 605.210. The Director of Finance or any of the director's duly authorized representatives shall leave a receipt with the person in possession of the premises from where such machine or device is seized; such receipt shall describe any and all machines or devices seized and such receipt shall bear the signature of the person seizing the machine or device, along with the address and telephone number of the Director of Finance. In the event a machine or device is seized on the street, alley or other public way, the Director of Finance or any of the director's duly authorized representatives shall post, within ten (10) feet of where the machine or device is seized, a notice that the machine or device has been seized, signed by the person seizing the machine or device, along with the address and telephone number of the office of the Director of Finance.
Such automatic vending machines or slot or slug device so seized may be held by the Director of Finance for a period of thirty (30) days; and if not claimed by the owner or person in whose possession or custody such machine or device was found within that time, the same shall be sold thereafter at a public auction, notice of such sale to be published in the St. Louis Countian or The Watchman Advocate, newspapers of general circulation within this City, at least ten (10) days prior to the date of sale, and from the proceeds of such sale shall collect the tax due thereon plus a sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) as a penalty in lieu of the sum assessed in this Section, together with the cost of seizing, sorting and advertising the sale. The balance from the sale shall be held by the Director of Finance and kept in a special account and be paid over to the owner or person in whose possession or custody such machine or device was found if the person makes a claim within twelve (12) months from the date the machine was seized by the Director of Finance; all money not claimed after twelve (12) months is to be paid into the General Revenue Fund of the City.
B. 
Such seizure and sale shall not be deemed to relieve any person from any other penalty for violation of Section 605.210.
C. 
No seized automatic coin-operated amusement machine, coin-operated service device, or slot or slug device shall be released until the owner or the person in whose possession or custody such machine or device was found has paid to the Director of Finance the costs provided herein.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.240; Prior Code §18-20.1; Ord. No. 4119 §1]
Every person engaged in any business, occupation, pursuit, profession or trade or in the keeping or maintaining of any institution, establishment, article, utility or commodity specified in this Article shall procure and pay for a license therefor from the City, and such license fees shall be in the respective amounts set forth herein.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.270; Prior Code §18-20.6; Ord. No. 4119 §1]
The definition of "employee", as used in this Article, shall be construed as having the same meaning as the definition of "insured work" as set forth in Chapter 288, Section 288.030, RSMo., relating to employment security.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.280; Prior Code §18-20.5; Ord. No. 4119 §1]
The license fee of a business or occupation shall be based on the number of its employees during the preceding license year. The fee for a new business shall be based upon the estimate of regular employees in such business during the license year.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.290; Prior Code §18-20.3; Ord. No. 4119 §1; Ord. No. 4473 §1; Ord. No. 5252 §1, 11-3-1980]
The businesses and occupations described in Section 605.270 shall pay an annual license fee of the amount of six dollars ($6.00) per employee per year, with a minimum of thirty dollars ($30.00) per year.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.260; Prior Code §18-20.2; Ord. No. 6054 §1(part), 1996; Ord. No. 6192, 1999]
The following businesses and occupations shall be licensed:
Adjusters and collectors
Advertising agents
Agents or solicitors for any surety companies
Amusement ticket brokers
Building companies
Claim agents
Cooperative insurance agents
Insurance agents maintaining an office in the City
Insurance brokers maintaining an office in the City
Insurance solicitors
Intelligence and employment agents and office keepers thereof
Lumber agents
Lumber brokers
Manufacturers' agents
Merchandise brokers
Newspaper advertising sales
Nurseries and nurserymen
Produce brokers
Produce dealers
Real estate agents maintaining an office in the City
Real estate brokers maintaining an office in the City
Rental agents.
[R.O. 2011 §5.04.300; Prior Code §18-20.4; Ord. No. 4119 §1; Ord. No. 4474 §1; Ord. No. 5253 §1, 11-3-1980]
Any person, firm or corporation listed in this Section shall pay an annual license fee in the amount of six dollars ($6.00) per employee per year, with a minimum of two hundred thirty-three dollars ($233.00) per year and a maximum of one thousand one hundred sixty-seven dollars ($1,167.00) per year:
Bankers
Banking corporations
Bonding companies
Brokerage companies
Financial agents
Insurance companies of whatever class or character
Investment companies
Lenders of money or chattels and chattel mortgages
Loan agents
Loan companies
Surety companies
Trust companies.
[Ord. No. 6981 §1, 3-9-2015]
A. 
Permit Required. Any food and beverage establishment that intends to provide outdoor dining on public or private property shall be required to obtain an annual outdoor dining permit.
B. 
Application and Permit Fee. Every business providing an outdoor dining area for patrons on public or private property must obtain a valid outdoor dining permit. Said permit shall be renewed on an annual basis. Businesses must obtain an outdoor dining permit by the beginning of the outdoor dining season, or prior to providing outdoor dining. If a business applies for an outdoor dining permit during the middle of the outdoor dining season, the permit fee will be pro-rated. An annual fee of one-hundred dollars ($100.00) is due with the permit application. Department of Community Development staff will inspect all outdoor dining area to ensure businesses have obtained a valid outdoor dining permit.
C. 
Outdoor Dining Season. Outdoor dining is allowed between March 1 and December 31 of each year, or any day that the temperature is at least fifty degrees Fahrenheit (50° F.). During the off-season, all outdoor dining furniture and barriers shall be stored indoors.
D. 
Outdoor Dining Hours and Location. Outdoor dining is allowed during any hours that the business is open and operating within the outdoor dining season. Outdoor dining can only be located directly adjacent to the business storefront for which the outdoor dining permit has been issued and may not encroach or spill over in front of neighboring businesses or properties. Outdoor dining shall only be located between the front building wall of the establishment and the curb. The following guidelines must be adhered to in order to obtain an outdoor dining permit:
1. 
All outdoor dining furniture must be located so that a minimum four-foot wide clear zone for pedestrians is maintained at all times, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements;
2. 
Within the pedestrian clear zone there shall not be any obstructions including, but not limited to trees, bike racks, newspaper stands, parking meters, trash receptacles, and light poles;
3. 
No outdoor dining furniture shall obstruct the pedestrian clear zone at any time;
4. 
No element of outdoor furniture may block any ingress/egress to the business establishment or any Fire Department connections;
5. 
Outdoor dining furniture shall located at least five (5) feet from any curb ramps at intersections;
6. 
Temporary barriers or planters are allowed so long as they do not interfere with the pedestrian clear zone.
E. 
Outdoor Dining Standards.
1. 
Furniture. The City does not regulate the material for tables and chairs. However, furniture should be made of a durable material and maintained in appearance and kept clean. Tables and chairs are allowed to be secured outside overnight during outdoor dining season, but must be removed and stored indoors during the off-season.
2. 
Umbrellas. Umbrellas must be located completely out of the pedestrian clear zone, unless they are at least six and one-half (6.5) feet above the sidewalk when opened.
3. 
Fencing, Barriers, and Planters. Outdoor dining may be separated from the right-of-way by the use of a temporary railing, fence, or planters. Such barriers must be durable and removable when not in use. Planters must be maintained with live plants. All barriers must adhere to the following guidelines:
a. 
No portion of a barrier shall be located in the four-foot wide pedestrian clear zone.
b. 
Any fencing must be at least thirty (30) inches in height but no taller than forty-two (42) inches.
c. 
Barriers shall not be anchored to the public sidewalk at any time.
d. 
Barriers located on public property must be removed during the off-season.
4. 
Trash. Businesses are required to maintain the outdoor dining area and adjacent public places free from all refuse of any kind. Trash shall not overflow onto the ground and the sidewalk shall be kept clean from food and beverage materials. Any food, beverage, or other items spilled must be cleaned and removed for the safety of pedestrians.
F. 
Outdoor Dining Permit Revocation. Department of Community Development staff will conduct inspections to ensure compliance with these regulations and require corrections to any violations in a timely manner. Any business that does not adhere to the outdoor dining regulations shall be subject to permit revocation at any time during the outdoor dining season, or subject to non-renewal of the outdoor dining permit.
G. 
Citations. Any business that provides an outdoor dining area without obtaining an outdoor dining permit shall be subject to citation under Article IX, Division 5 of the University City Zoning Code.