This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "Business Registration
Licensing Requirement" in the Township of Middle.
Application for a license to conduct a business, or operate
a business within the confines of the Township of Middle, shall be
made to the Township Clerk. Upon application and the payment of the
fee prescribed herein, a license shall be issued, which license shall
bear the name of the person to whom it is issued, the nature of the
business licensed, and the location at which the business is to be
carried on.
All licenses under this chapter shall be due and payable on
January 1 of each year and shall terminate and become invalid on December
31.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BUSINESS
Includes all kinds of vocations, occupations, professions,
enterprises, establishments, and all other kinds of activities and
matters, together with 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 the Township, as
set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:52-1 and acts amendatory and supplemental
thereto, inclusive of transient businesses and merchants. A transient
business shall include types of businesses that provide services to
residents and business owners within the Township, inclusive of landscapers,
contractors, builders, and other similar entities.
Transient businesses may be seasonal in nature, operating
only during certain times of the year when demand for their services
is high. They may also be location-specific, working in a particular
region or area for a limited time period. These businesses may also
have principal offices outside the boundaries of Middle Township,
however, provide professional services to commercial and residential
businesses within the Township.
PERSON
Includes an individual, firm, corporation, or any other organization,
entity, or association.
PREMISES
Includes all land, structures, places, and also equipment,
and appurtenances connected or used therewith in any business and
also any personal property which is either affixed to or is otherwise
used in connection with, any such business conducted on such premises.
[Amended 3-4-2024 by Ord. No. 1691-24]
A. The annual
registration fee of $75 shall be paid to the Office of the Township
Clerk, or other designated department, on a form as outlined and provided
by the Township, with all other insurance requirements as outlined
in the law.
B. Application
for such registration must be filed by December 1 by the owner or
permissive user.
C. Effective
date. All businesses shall be required to register within 60 days
of the adoption of this chapter.
D. Late fee.
After the effective date as indicated above, and thereafter for each
year, all annual fees for business registrations are to be paid on
or before December 1.
E. Any business
owner or operator who conducts any business governed by this chapter
of the Middle Township Ordinances, who has not paid the required annual
fee set forth herein by the January 1 registration effective date,
will be subject to a late fee of $75 in addition to that fee which
is normally required.
F. Annual
fee exemption. Any business entity or business activity which is conducted
or operated exclusively for religious, charitable, educational, or
other beneficial nonprofit purposes, or any business entity or business
activity which exists for the purpose of providing veteran services
or is a veteran-owned organization, are exempt from the annual registration
fee. Exempt businesses are nevertheless still required to register
with the Township Clerk's Office as provided by this chapter and provide
the required certificate of insurance and proof of nonprofit or veteran
status.
Licenses issued under this chapter shall be posted at the place
of business shown on the license in a conspicuous place. The license
shall remain posted for the duration of the licensing year when issued,
and so long as the licensed business is carried on.
No business shall be permitted on the location licensed other
than that for which the license is issued.
The issuance of a license under this chapter is in addition
to, and not in derogation of, any law of the State of New Jersey or
ordinance of the Township regulating the business so licensed. Failure
to comply with the regulations set out in the laws or ordinances shall
be cause for revocation of the license by the Township Committee by
due notice and hearing.
The proper enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and
related ordinances dealing with the regulation of businesses shall
be a proper concern of the Police Department of the Township.
No business registration license may be issued until all delinquent
local real property taxes on business-owned real property have been
paid, and any license issued by the Township may be revoked or suspended
if real property taxes have remained unpaid for a term of three consecutive
quarters.
Any person, firm, corporation or other entity violating any
of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject
to a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000, or imprisonment
for any term not exceeding 90 days, or both, for each violation. For
the purposes of this chapter, each day during which the violation
occurs shall constitute a separate offense.