Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ordinance Business License topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clarkston council adopts ordinance exempting some home occupations from business-license rule
Summary
The Clarkston Town Council on April 1 adopted Ordinance 26-O2, amending the town code to exempt defined "home occupations" and occasional businesses run by individuals under 19 from the business-license requirement; the motion passed on roll call.
Clarkston — The Town Council adopted Ordinance 26-O2 on April 1, amending Clarkston Town Code Title 3, Chapter 1 to revise the definition of "home occupation" and to add exemptions to the business-license requirement.
Mayor Thompson read the ordinance on the council floor, saying the changes clarify that a home occupation is performed entirely within a residence (or accessory buildings) and must not change the character of the residence or neighborhood. The ordinance adds two exemptions to the business-license requirement: 1) home occupations as defined in the town code and 2) a business operated only occasionally by an individual under 19 years old.
Council member (mover) made a motion to adopt the ordinance and a colleague seconded. On a roll call the council recorded votes in favor: Mayor Thompson — aye; Council member Noble — aye; Council member Goody — aye; Council member Godfrey — absent; Council member Peterson — aye. The mayor declared the ordinance passed on April 1, 2026.
The ordinance text, as read at the meeting, states that the town previously faced a court requirement that treated some home occupations as needing a business license; the amendment gives residents the option to operate as a home occupation without taking a license while preserving the ability for someone to obtain a license by choice.
The council did not record any amendments to the ordinance during the meeting. The town clerk will publish the ordinance and the effective date noted at the meeting was the adoption date, April 1, 2026, as declared by the mayor.
Next steps: staff will process the ordinance for publication and update any business-license application materials to reflect the newly clarified exemptions.
