TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 22, 2024, Report No. ADM-24-034
TO: Council
FROM: Ter?se Finegan, Manager of Economic Development
SUBJECT: Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw Review
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council gives three readings to "Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3144".
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of this report is to provide Council with the results of research completed to compare the business licence fees for the Township with other neighbouring municipalities. As a result of that research, a number of changes to the Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw are proposed to help promote a business-friendly environment by providing clarity and information on new categories of licences.
BACKGROUND:
At a Council meeting held December 18, 2023, a staff report containing a review of business license fees was submitted to Council for consideration. Council recommended:
That a review of the Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw, 2013, No 2810 be completed and to include any recommendations to Appendix A (Licence Fee).
Chronology:
* December 2023: Staff report ADM-23-045 outlines a comparison to several municipalities noting major differences in the Pub/Liquor category with Esquimalt notably charging the highest fee of $2,000 per licence.
ANALYSIS:
Staff extensively reviewed the current Business Licence Regulation Bylaw, 2013, No. 2810 (Attachment 1) and compared language and definitions to several other municipalities. The new proposed Bylaw, Business Licence Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3144 (Attachment 3), in addition to providing more clarity for businesses, language and wording have been updated to align with provincial documents: The Community Charter and the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch Handbook.
Notable changes between Bylaw No. 2810 (current bylaw) and Bylaw No. 3144 (proposed new) are highlighted in red in Attachment 2 and include;
New Definitions Added.
- Int...
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