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Council holds work session on proposed $35 annual business license, asks for clearer definitions and outreach plan
Summary
At a work session the council reviewed a draft amendment to Borough Code Chapter 331 to codify an annual $35 business license for all businesses operating in the borough, discussed exemptions, and directed staff to return with clarified definitions and outreach language.
Bridgeport Borough Council spent an extended portion of its April 14 work session reviewing a draft ordinance to amend Chapter 331 of the borough code to codify an annual business license for any entity that conducts business in the borough.
Mr. Sherman, a borough staff member who led the discussion, said the primary focus of the draft is to formalize the annual license already in practice, set filing and display timelines, and clarify exemptions. "The primary focus of this amendment is to include language that codifies the annual business license ... whether you are a brick-and-mortar or you are a home-based business," Mr. Sherman said. He emphasized exemptions for nonprofits, public agencies, utilities, small casual operations (for example, children's lemonade stands), landlords already covered under rental inspection rules, and contractors with separate contractor licenses.
Staff said the annual fee would be $35 and framed the proposal not as a revenue grab but as a way to better track, monitor and support local businesses. Council member Shank asked for clearer definitions of what constitutes a business, citing concerns about how the rule would apply to 1099 contractors and home-based operations; other council members asked about outreach methods and how the borough would identify unregistered businesses. Staff agreed to add specificity and to return a revised draft at the next work session.
Why it matters: The proposed change would formally require annual registration of most businesses operating in the borough and create a borough-maintained contact list for outreach and events, with a modest fee intended to fund administration and improve communication with business owners.
What comes next: Staff will draft clarified language (definitions, exemptions, outreach plan and notification strategy) and return the amended ordinance for further review at a future work session.
