[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Vernon 10-13-2022 by Ord. No. 22-21. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Business Insurance Registration Ordinance of the Township of Vernon."
The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that the businesses in the Township of Vernon have obtained liability insurance as required by state law.
Unless the context clearly indicates a different meeting, the following words or phrases when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning:
LICENSE
The license issued by the Township Clerk or designee attesting that the business has been properly registered in accordance with this chapter.
MINIMUM LIABILITY INSURANCE
A policy with a minimum of $500,000 for combined property damage and bodily injury to or death of one or more persons in any one accident or occurrence for owners of rental units and a policy with a minimum of $300,000 for combined property damage and bodily injury to or death of one or more persons in any one accident or occurrence for owners of multifamily homes that are four or fewer units, one of which is owner-occupied.
OWNER
Any person or group of persons, firm, corporation, or officer thereof, partnership association, or trust, who owns, operates, exercises control over or is in charge of a business located in the Township.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Vernon.
All businesses located in the Township of Vernon shall be registered with the Township Clerk or such other person as designated by the Mayor on forms which shall be provided for that purpose and which shall be obtained from the Township Clerk or designee. Such registration shall occur on an annual basis as provided herein.
The license term shall commence on August 1 and shall be valid until July 31 of the following calendar year, at which time it shall expire and a new registration shall be required. The initial registration shall occur by August 1, 2023.
Every owner shall file with the Township Clerk or designee of the Township of Vernon a registration form for each business located in the Township which shall include the following information:
A. 
The name, address, and phone number of the business located in the Township.
B. 
The name, address and phone number of the owner(s) of the business. In the case of a partnership, the names and addresses of all general partners shall be provided, together with the phone numbers for each of such individuals indicating where such individual may be reached.
C. 
A copy of a certificate of insurance showing that minimum liability insurance for negligent acts and omissions has been obtained as required by P.L. 2022, c. 92 (N.J.S.A. 40A:10A-1).
The Township Clerk or designee shall index and file the registration forms.
Every person required to file a registration form pursuant to this chapter shall file an amended registration form within 45 days after any change in the information required to be included thereon.
A. 
At the time of the filing of the registration form and prior to the issuance of a license, the owner of the business must pay an annual registration fee of $75 per year.
B. 
If any fee is not paid within 30 days of its due date, a late fee surcharge of $30 will be assessed.
In accordance with P.L. 2022, c. 92 (N.J.S.A. 40A:10A-2), any business owner that violates this chapter will be liable for a fine of not less than $500 but no more than $5,000.