La Habra Heights Municipal Code Ch. 10.2 Regulation and Business Licensing

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish regulations that govern Business Licenses in the City of La Habra Heights.

The following Business License requirements are applicable in the City of La Habra Heights:

A. No person as principal, agent, employee, officer or otherwise, shall commence or carry on
any business within the City, without having first:

1. Applied for and received a business license specifying such business;

2. Paid all applicable application and license fees;

3. Obtained any permit required by the City; and

4. Paid any permit fee required.

B. In particular, the following businesses are considered to be regulated businesses and must
obtain a Business License from the City of La Habra Heights:

1. Home security services (including alarm installation services).

2. Animal grooming and other related activities that conduct on-site services.

3. Landscaping contractors and maintenance services.

4. Architects and designers, engineers, landscape architects or designers and other
persons involved in design of development.

5. Contractors including building, plumbing, electrical, heating, and other similar
service providers.

6. Handyman and household repair service providers.

7. Any business that requires a Home Occupation Permit.

C. It is unlawful for any person, other than an employee of a person possessing a valid
Business License from the City, to engage in business in the City without having first
procured a Business License from the City.

D. It is unlawful for any person required to obtain a Business License from the City to retain
the services of an independent contractor unless the independent contractor shall have first
procured a Business License from the City.

E. The City Manager shall approve or deny an Application for a Business License.

For each business operating from a fixed location, a separate license certificate shall be obtained for each separate branch, establishment or location of the business. Each license certificate shall authorize the licensee to engage only in the business licensed at the location and in the manner designated on the Business License.

The City Manager shall deny an application for a license certificate for the calendar year in which the application is made if it is found that the person or business submitting the application has violated other sections of this Code in addition to having failed to obtain a license certificate prior to the start of the business activity. The Applicant has the right of appeal pursuant to Article 8 of this Municipal Code.

A. The provisions of this Chapter shall not be deemed or construed to require a Business License or the payment of a license fee for the following:

1. Charitable Activities. The conducting, managing or carrying on of any business,
occupation or activity for charitable or educational purposes by any organization that
presents proof of its designation as a tax-exempt organization for charitable purposes
in a form which is satisfactory to the City Manager.

2. Minor Students. The conducting of a business, otherwise permitted by City
ordinance, by youth, under the age of eighteen (18) years, and living in the City.

3. Homeowners association. Any bona fide homeowners association.

B. The following businesses and organizations shall be required to obtain a Business License
and any necessary permits, but shall not be required to pay a Business License fee:

1. Auctioneers. Any person arranging, managing, sponsoring or carrying out of an
auction sale of goods, wares, merchandise or any real or personal property, provided
that such person be licensed with the State of California.

2. City Contractors. Any individual whose only business within the City is contracting
with the City to perform personal services, including, but not limited to, teaching
classes, providing temporary support services or maintenance services.

No Business License shall, in any manner, be transferred or assigned, nor shall it authorize any person other than the licensee or the licensee’s employees therein named to engage in business.

Every person having a Business License but not having a fixed place of business in the City shall carry such license at all times when engaged in the business for which the license has been granted. In addition, the following requirements apply:

A. Every person operating any wheeled vehicle in connection with activity requiring a
Business License must procure a vehicle sticker. The vehicle sticker shall identify the
license plate number of the vehicle to which it is assigned and a permit number to be
assigned by the City.

B. The vehicle sticker shall be attached in a conspicuous location on the rear of the vehicle to
which it is assigned in such manner that the sticker shall be plainly visible at all times.

C. Vehicle stickers shall not remain on a vehicle after the expiration date of said sticker.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person, other than the licensee, his/her authorized agent or an
officer of the City, to remove any vehicle sticker required pursuant to this Section from a
vehicle to which it has been attached.

E. Delivery vehicles and vehicles associated with a legitimate, licensed business enterprise
shall not be required to exhibit the City’s vehicle sticker when operating within the City,
provided that each and every vehicle operating in the City shall bear the name of the
responsible person or business in a location plainly visible to the public.

Every person having a City Business License shall present the license whenever, in the course of business, it is requested by any police officer, firefighter, or other authorized City official.

This Section provides for revocation or suspension of a Business License and the procedures that are to be followed thereto.

A. Grounds for Suspension or Revocation. Any Business License issued pursuant to this
Chapter may be revoked or suspended by the City Manager if any of the following
circumstances occur:

1. The licensee is conducting a business not permitted by the Business License.

2. The licensee is engaged in an activity prohibited by State or Federal law.

3. The licensee is conducting the business in a manner that threatens the health or public
safety of City residents.

4. The licensee has refused to comply with a legal requirement of the City.

B. Grounds for Suspension or Revocation Provided to Licensee. The City Manager may
revoke or suspend a license certificate or permit only after the grounds have been presented
to the licensee and the licensee has been provided an opportunity to respond.

C. Revocation or Suspension Subject to Appeal. The revocation or suspension of any
license may be appealed or called for review pursuant to the procedures set forth in Article
8.

D. Surrender of License or Permit. In the event that a Business License is revoked or
suspended, the certificate or vehicle sticker shall be surrendered to the City. No refund shall
be provided for any fee or portion thereof paid for the license or sticker. The surrender of a
license or sticker shall not constitute a waiver of any requirement for the licensee to pay
any penalties due.

No license issued hereunder shall be construed as authorizing the conduct of or continuance of any illegal or unlawful business.

Any person or entity that violates any provision of this Chapter of the City of La Habra Heights Municipal Code is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable pursuant to the provisions of Article 8.