The purpose of the provisions of this chapter is solely to provide for necessary regulation of lawful businesses being conducted within the City, in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the people of the City of Wildomar. Business registration fees charged under the provisions of this chapter shall be revenue neutral in that they may not exceed the reasonable costs of providing the regulatory services included in the business registration program. No business registration fee charged under the provisions of this chapter shall be construed as a business registration tax.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.010; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
As used in this chapter:
"Business registration inspector"
means any employee, agent, representative or contractor designated by the City Manager, or designee, of the City to carry out business registration inspections under the provisions of this chapter.
"Business"
means and includes professions, trades, vocations, enterprises, establishments, occupations, and all and every kind of calling, any of which are conducted, transacted or carried on for the purpose of earning in whole or in part a profit or livelihood, whether or not a profit or livelihood actually is earned thereby, whether paid in money, goods, labor, or otherwise. This definition shall apply to business establishments located within the City that are operated at a fixed physical location and those that are operated on a mobile basis by a mobile operator as defined in this section.
"City"
means the City of Wildomar and its respective agencies and departments thereof.
"Home occupation"
means those uses that are customarily conducted in a residence, provided that such uses must be incidental and secondary to the principal use of a dwelling as a residence. The following criteria shall apply to any home occupation:
1. 
Except for large family day care homes which may require two assistants and small family day care homes which may require one assistant to be present in addition to the licensee or provider, no person other than a resident of the dwelling shall be employed on the premises in the conduct of a home occupation;
2. 
A home occupation shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling and shall be incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling as a residence;
3. 
A home occupation shall not be conducted in an accessory structure and there shall be no storage of equipment or supplies in an accessory structure or outside building;
4. 
The residential character of the exterior and interior of the dwelling shall not be changed;
5. 
No vehicles or trailers except those normally incidental to residential use shall be kept on the site; and
6. 
No signs other than one unlighted identification sign, not more than two square feet in area, shall be erected on the premises.
"Local law enforcement or governmental entities"
means any city, charter city, county, charter county, or city and county, or the respective agencies and departments thereof, in the State of California.
"Mobile operator"
means and refers to those businesses that are operated on a mobile basis utilizing a motor vehicle to visit customer locations to carry out business-related services. This term shall be expressly limited to those mobile-operated businesses involving: mobile automobile or other motor vehicle washing; pest control services; mobile carpet, drape or furniture cleaning; concrete mixing or cutting; masonry; painting and coating; landscaping; pool and fountain cleaning; and Port-a-Potty or other portable toilet servicing.
"Nuisance"
shall have the same meaning as set forth in California Civil Code Section 3479.
"Person"
means and includes all domestic and foreign corporations, associations, syndicates, joint stock corporations, partnerships of every kind, clubs, common-law trusts, societies, and individuals conducting, transacting or carrying on any lawful business within the City other than as an employee.
"Productive hourly rate"
means and refers to the fully burdened hourly rates for each job classification required to provide a specified service. Hourly rates for services shall be established through the yearly budget process and adopted by the City Council as part of the City budget public hearings.
"Retail greenhouses"
means and refers to all commercial greenhouses other than those that are licensed by the State of California in the "producer" category to grow and sell nursery stock in the amount of $1,000.00 or more in one year and that are inspected by the County Agricultural Commissioner pursuant to California Food and Agricultural Code Section 6701 et seq. and any applicable state regulations promulgated thereto.
"Retail nurseries"
means and refers to all commercial nurseries other than those that are licensed by the State of California in the "producer" category to grow and sell nursery stock in the amount of $1,000.00 or more in one year and that are inspected by the County Agricultural Commissioner pursuant to California Food and Agricultural Code Section 6701 et seq. and any applicable state regulations promulgated thereto.
"Sworn statement"
means a written affidavit, declaration, or statement made under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.020; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
Every person conducting or carrying on a business as defined in this chapter anywhere in the City shall register by obtaining a business registration. A separate business registration shall be obtained for each physical location (including branch establishments) or for each business operated on a mobile basis by a mobile operator as defined in this chapter. Notwithstanding anything in this Code to the contrary, a vendor or other person conducting a discrete, temporary business activity pursuant to and within the scope of a duly approved Temporary Event Permit (TEP) or Temporary Use Permit (TUP) issued to a permittee/operator shall not be required to obtain a separate business registration solely for such activity.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.030; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
The payment of business registration fees contained in this chapter, including inspection and enforcement fees as provided in Sections 5.68.100 and 5.68.130 of this chapter, shall not be required for those businesses falling within any of the exempt categories described in this section so long as a timely claim of exemption is filed with the City. Any person claiming an exemption pursuant to the provisions of this section shall, within 60 calendar days of being sent the initial written notification of the requirement to obtain a business registration, make a claim with the City and present all documentation substantiating the claim. If such evidence is presented in an untimely manner, such person shall be liable for the payment of the business registration fees imposed by this chapter, including inspection and enforcement fees as provided in Sections 5.68.100 and 5.68.130 of this chapter.
A. 
Churches, Temples or Other Places of Worship. Churches, temples or other places of worship, to the extent of their use for worship, religious education or the social affairs of the religious group are exempt as provided in this section. This exemption shall not apply to other activities, which are not undertaken primarily for members of the religious group, including, but not limited to, day schools, social service programs or church-owned or operated business enterprises.
B. 
Agriculture. The following agricultural activities are exempt as provided in this section: agricultural pursuits consisting of the growing of crops, raising of livestock, and dairying, including auxiliary and ancillary uses incidental to the operation of a farm or ranch, consisting of the purchase and storage of substances, materials, supplies, animal feeds and produce, and the marketing of farm products; provided however, that a business registration shall be required in connection with any of the following:
1. 
Retail nurseries;
2. 
Retail greenhouses; and
3. 
Wholesaling, processing, storage or manufacturing use which involves assembly of the products of multiple farms or ranches by a cooperative or other business enterprise for marketing distribution.
C. 
Federal or State Law. The provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed or construed to apply to any person transacting or carrying on any business exempt by virtue of the Constitution or applicable statutes of the United States or of the State of California from the payment of such regulatory business registration fees charged pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. 
Alcoholic beverages: manufacture, sale, purchase, possession, and transportation (see California Constitution Art. XX, § 22);
2. 
Bail bond agents (see Insurance Code Section 1800 et seq.);
3. 
Banks and financial corporations (see Revenue and Taxation Code Section 23182);
4. 
Blind person operating a vending facility (see Welfare and Institutions Code Section 19633);
5. 
Cafe musicians (see Business and Professions Code Section 16000.5);
6. 
Insurance company that pays an in-lieu tax or premium (see California Constitution Art. XIII, Section 28);
7. 
Intercity transportation business (see Public Utilities Code Section 5327);
8. 
Laundry equipment (see Business and Professions Code Section 16002.2);
9. 
Public utility franchise (see Public Utilities Code Sections 1011, 6001);
10. 
Real estate auctioneer (see Business and Professions Code Section 16002.1);
11. 
Veterans (see Business and Professions Code Sections 16000.7, 16001, 16001.5, 16001.7); and
12. 
Wholesaler/commercial traveler (see Business and Professions Code Section 16002).
D. 
Nonprofit Organizations. Any nonprofit organizations that are legally recognized as tax-exempt pursuant to the provisions of 26 U.S.C. Section 501(c)(3) are exempt as provided in this section.
E. 
Residential Facilities. Licensed residential care facilities exempt from local business registration requirements under Health and Safety Code Sections 1523.1(b)(4), 1566.2, 1568.05(b)(2), 1569.185(b)(2), 1596.803(b)(2), or 1597.45(b) are exempt as provided in this section.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.040; Ord. 173 § 4, 2019; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
The following circumstances shall be considered prima facie evidence that a person is conducting business in the City: where any person, by use of any sign, circular, card, brochure, telephone book, magazine, newspaper, website, electronic media or other publication, shall advertise, hold out or by any other means represent that the person is in business in the City, or when any person holds an active license or permit issued by a governmental agency indicating that the person is in business in the City, and such person fails upon request of the City to sign and provide to the City a sworn statement attesting that such person is not conducting or carrying on a business from the City. The City shall provide a form for the purposes of the sworn statement required by this section.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.050; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
A. 
Application Contents. Any person required to obtain a business registration pursuant to this chapter shall apply therefor by submitting the information required by the City. Such information shall be a sworn statement, upon an approved form provided by the City, that may include the name of the applicant, the ownership of the business involved, and the any other information necessary, as determined by the City, to enable it to issue a business registration for which the application is made.
B. 
Issuance. A business registration shall be issued upon satisfactory completion of an application and payment of the fee prescribed in this chapter. Such registration shall remain in full force and effect for a period of one year unless one of the following events takes place: business changes address or name, business is discontinued or business ownership changes.
C. 
Fee. A standard fee shall be charged by the City to cover the reasonable costs of providing the regulatory services included in the business registration program. The business registration holder shall also be subject to periodic supplemental charges by the City in the form of an additional inspection and enforcement fee as provided in Sections 5.68.100 and 5.68.130 of this chapter. No fee charged under the provisions of this chapter shall be construed as a tax.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.060; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
Any person who has obtained a business registration pursuant to this chapter shall apply for renewal on an annual basis prior to expiration of the then-current business registration term. Such renewal application shall be accompanied by payment of the fee prescribed by this chapter.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.070; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
No business registration issued pursuant to this chapter shall be automatically transferable; provided however, that where a registration is issued indicating a person is conducting, transacting or carrying on a business at a particular place under a particular name, such registration holder, upon application therefor, and payment of a change fee may obtain a new registration showing some other location within the City and/or name of the business and/or business ownership change. A new business registration shall be required as provided in Section 5.68.030 of this chapter in the event that there are any other changes than described in this section that take place with regard to a business.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.080; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
A duplicate registration may be issued to replace any registration issued hereunder which has been lost or destroyed where such registration holder submits a statement of such fact and provides payment of a duplicate registration fee prescribed by this chapter.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.090; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
The purpose of the provisions of this chapter is solely to provide for necessary regulation of lawful businesses being conducted within the City, in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the people of the City. Business registration fees charged under the provisions of this chapter shall be revenue-neutral in that they may not exceed the reasonable costs of providing the regulatory services included in the business registration program. No fee charged under the provisions of this chapter shall be construed as a business tax. The fees associated with the business registration program will be set by City Council resolution.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.100; Ord. 173 § 1, 2019; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
A. 
Every person who has submitted a satisfactory application and who has paid the required fee, as provided in this chapter, shall be issued a business registration which contains the following information:
1. 
The name of the person to whom the registration is issued;
2. 
The name of the business;
3. 
The physical location where such business is to be transacted and carried on;
4. 
The date of expiration of such registration; and
5. 
Such other information as may be necessary for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
Any person conducting, transacting or carrying on a business at a fixed location in the City shall keep the business registration posted in a conspicuous place in plain public view upon the physical premises where such business is taking place.
C. 
Any person conducting, transacting or carrying on a business but not operating at a fixed location in the City shall always keep the business registration on his or her person while conducting, transacting or carrying on the business for which it is issued. Such person shall display the business registration to any inspector, code enforcement officer, peace officer or any other authorized representative employed by the City upon request.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.110; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
Business inspectors may enter free of charge, at any time, any place of business for which a business registration is required by this chapter and demand the display of any such registration by any person engaged or employed in the transaction or carrying on of such business.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.120; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
A business inspector, code enforcement officer or peace officer employed by the City may enter free of charge, at any time, any place of business for which a business registration is required by this chapter and inspect the premises, grounds, facilities and structures located therein for compliance with water quality requirements imposed by Title 15 and Chapter 13.12, California Water Code Section 13000 et seq. (Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act), Title 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq. (Clean Water Act) and any applicable state or federal regulations promulgated thereto, and any related administrative orders or permits issued in connection therewith. Failure to maintain the business premises, grounds, facilities and structures located therein in compliance with water quality requirements is a violation of this chapter. The City may initiate enforcement actions against business registration holders whose business premises are found upon inspection to be in violation of water quality requirements. The business registration holder shall be liable to the City for an additional inspection and enforcement fee based on the hourly rates provided in Section 5.68.100 of this chapter.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.130; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
Every person who makes any false statement or representation in any application for a business registration commits a violation of this chapter.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.140; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
No business registration issued pursuant to this chapter shall be construed as authorizing the conduct of or continuance of any occupation, use or activity of any kind which is prohibited by City ordinance, state or federal law or regulation.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.150; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)
Any person in violation of this chapter is subject to the procedures and penalties set forth in Chapter 1.16.
(Ord. 18 § 2, 2008, RCC § 5.72.160; Ord. 259, 2/10/2026)