This chapter and the state laws adopted by reference herein shall be
collectively known and may be cited as the "Northville Township Business Registration
Ordinance."
As used in this chapter:
BUSINESS
Any trade, occupation, profession, work, commerce or other activity
owned or operated for profit by any person within the Township, excluding,
however, political, charitable or religious establishments.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, association or corporation.
REGISTRATION AGENT
The Charter Township Clerk or such other Township official or employee
as may be designated by resolution of the Charter Township Board.
The purpose of the chapter is to assist the Charter Township with information
to provide more adequate police and fire protection; more equal and equitable
real and personal property taxation; better efficiency and economy in furnishing
public utility services within the Township; more comprehensive and informed
planning and zoning for uses of land and structures within the Township; and
to establish a registry of businesses operating within the Township for the
general information of the public and for the promotion of the Township.
No person may commence or continue a business, as herein defined, within
the Charter Township without having first registered with the Charter Township
therefor as hereinafter provided and without maintaining such registration
in current effect during any business operation or activity. Annual registration
updates will be required, and the penalty provision of this chapter may be
exercised for failure to supply the Township with requested annual updates.
Registration to commence or continue a business shall be required, and
the registration certificate will be issued upon submission of the application
and payment of the registration fee by the owner or operator to the Clerk
of the Charter Township on a form provided by the Township for such purposes.
A fee, established annually by resolution of the Board of Trustees, shall
accompany the application. The information provided in the application shall
be complete and truthful. Upon the filing of a properly completed application
and upon payment of the fee, the Township shall issue a certificate of registration
to the person to commence or continue the business designated in said application
if the business complies with the terms of this chapter.
The registration issued under this chapter shall be effective until
December 31 of the succeeding year, with renewals required annually. No registration
shall be issued by the Township where the existing or proposed business would
be in violation of any law or ordinance of the United States of America, the
State of Michigan, the County having jurisdiction thereof, or the Township.
Transfers by the holder to any other person are required to be submitted to
the Township on a new business registration application, and the new owner
or holder will be required to pay the appropriate registration fee, except
upon prior approval of the Charter Township Board. The registration agent
shall have the right of inspection of the business premises to assure compliance
with this and other Township ordinances.
No registration shall be required of any political, charitable or religious
establishment situated within the Township. The provisions of this chapter
are not applicable to any agency of the United States of America, the State
of Michigan, or any political subdivisions thereof.
Any violation of this chapter or any part thereof shall be punishable
by a fine not to exceed $100 plus court costs and/or confinement in the County
Jail for a term not to exceed 90 days. In addition, the Charter Township specifically
reserves the right to proceed in any court of competent jurisdiction for the
purpose of obtaining an injunction, restraining order or other appropriate
remedy to compel compliance with this chapter.