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Evanston council endorses temporary exemption for youth lemonade stands ahead of August event
Summary
The City discussed and passed a resolution to temporarily exempt residents under 18 from needing a business license for a one-day youth entrepreneurship event; staff said a permanent ordinance will be drafted.
City staff with the Community Development Department told the Evanston City Council that a resolution passed to exempt residents under age 18 from needing a business license for a one-day youth entrepreneurship event tied to Lemonade Day.
The resolution is intended to clear the way for children participating in Lemonade Day on Aug. 9 to operate stands without city business licensing requirements; staff said they will bring a proposed ordinance to the council in the coming weeks to establish a longer-term rule.
City staff said Lemonade Day is a structured youth program with local sponsors and a curriculum of about 21 modules that teaches basic business skills. “This resolution effectively protects any resident under the age of 18 from having to have a business license on that day,” a Community Development Department staff member said during the council discussion.
The staff presentation listed local businesses that have agreed to host or sponsor participants, including State Bank, Union Wireless, FirstBank, the Chamber of Commerce, Heritage Auto, Ace Hardware, Gigi’s Coffee, Suds Brothers, Truman Valley Federal Credit Union and Walmart. Staff said 25 youth had registered so far and that participants who complete the program and submit results will be eligible for national and local prizes, including a national trip and local gift-card prizes.
Councilor Smith asked about the event date and logistics; staff replied registration is free through the national Lemonade Day site and requires a guardian’s sign-up and release. Staff also said the city had extended some notice timelines and added annual renewal language for a related waiver tied to the event’s operations.
The staff presentation referenced a Cheyenne ordinance (8-41-10) as a point of comparison; staff characterized Wyoming as one of the few states without a statewide “lemonade law” protecting youth entrepreneurs and described the resolution as a temporary correction pending a future ordinance. The council passed the resolution by voice vote; no roll-call tally was provided during the discussion.
The council directed staff to draft an ordinance to codify protections for youth entrepreneurs and to return with that language in the coming weeks.
