As a goodwill gesture to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the West Plains City Council voted 3-2 to waive the business license fees for the year. The new business license year begins July 1, 2020 and ends June 30, 2021.
While the $30 fee is waived for the year, businesses must have a business license to operate legally within the city limits. For businesses that have already paid the fee for the year, they will receive credit for next year, beginning July 1, 2021. Any business operating without a license is subject to Section 1-10 of the City Code of Ordinances, General Penalty, and could be fined up to $500 per day.
Renewals sent in with the $30 fee, will be processed, and will have a waived fee for July 1, 2021.
For new businesses, licenses will be required along with an occupancy inspection and other inspections deemed necessary according to the business. Applications for business are available online, www.westplains.net or at City Hall, 1910 Holiday Lane.
Business licenses are required to help verify zoning requirements, for emergency response, sales tax requirements, and other utility requirements. Certifications, taxi licenses, liquor license fees, and occupancy inspections will still be charged this year.
Business license renewals, along with no-tax due sales tax information, is due June 30, 2020.
