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Riverton updates business-license code, removes antiquated fees and aligns alcohol rules
Summary
The council approved Ordinance 25-11 to modernize the business-license code, eliminate outdated fees (for example, pool-table licenses), require online licensing where appropriate, and align city alcohol-license rules with state practice. Council and staff said the change is intended to streamline processes for new and existing businesses.
Riverton City Council adopted Ordinance 25-11 on April 1, clearing a package of changes to the municipal business-license code intended to modernize application processes, remove antiquated line-item fees from the code, and align local alcohol-licensing requirements with state rules.
Staff told the council the revisions were largely housekeeping and process improvements developed by a former business-license coordinator and carried forward to streamline operations. The update consolidates fee-setting authority into Riverton's annual fee schedule rather than embedding numerous small license fees in code; staff noted historically included items such as pool-table license fees are obsolete.
"Basically, with the ordinances that we have before us, we have an array of changes that are being made that are done with this one intention in mind, and that is to modernize our application process," staff said. The packet says the changes will allow online licensing for some license classes and close DBA loopholes to ensure accurate applicant information.
Alcohol licensing was a targeted area of clarification. Staff said the city removed duplicative code provisions that simply mirrored state requirements and instead will require applicants to show state approval and proof of compliance to the city. Proximity restrictions and some local duplicative qualification checks were removed; staff said enforcement will continue to rely on state oversight for issues such as sales to minors.
Council members asked about outreach to the business community. Staff and council members said they plan to "proudly" announce the streamlined process to local businesses and the chamber. Council members cited recent businesses' experiences (one restaurant, North Italia) as evidence the streamlined licensing at state and city levels had worked well. One council member relayed an applicant's feedback: "they had planned on months and months of jumping through hoops for their alcohol licenses, and it was done in a matter of a few days."
The council approved the ordinance on a roll-call vote. Motion: adopt Ordinance 25-11 amending Riverton City Code Title 5. Second: Council member Haman. Roll call included unanimous recorded "yes" votes from those named in the record. The ordinance moves the fee structure to the annual schedule and removes obsolete fee line items; staff also noted a specific removal of a $300 security-bond requirement previously attached to a retail-beer license class as duplicative of state bonding and insurance.
Ending: City staff said they will notify local businesses about the changes and implement the updated online licensing processes ahead of the coming licensing year.
