City of Amity
*Disclaimer: Short Term Rental regulations are in a constant state of change. I provide and update information on individual city regulations as I’m able, but it should in no way be taken as legal advice. Please do your own due-diligence and take the necessary steps to operate a legal business in your area.
Businesses are defined as any enterprise, trade, activity, profession, occupation, private educational facility, or any kind of calling carried on for profit or livelihood within city limits. This includes rental properties and out-of-city businesses doing work.
In accordance with Amity Ordinance 567, any person wishing to conduct business in the City of Amity must possess a valid business license. The fee for a business license is non-refundable. Therefore, it is recommended that businesses and home occupations ensure that they meet all zoning and other code requirements prior to applying for a business license. The fee for a new business license is $150.00 ($100 for a temporary business) and is due upon application. The business license is to be renewed each year for $75.00 ($50 for a temporary business) and is valid for the fiscal year, which ends June 30 of the following year.
Businesses are responsible for knowing and meeting all codes, regulations and laws that pertain to their business. A business license is not a statement or waiver that these other codes, regulations and laws have been met; it is merely for the privilege of doing business within the city limits of Amity. It is possible that a business may have a valid city business license but may be unable to operate because it has failed to meet other requirements.
Rental Properties:
Renting property, whether a commercial building rental or residential rental property, is considered a business; therefore, a business license is required. Each business renting space in a commercial building must obtain a business license.
For residential rental properties, an owner-occupied home where one or two rooms are rented out is not considered a business and does not need to obtain a business license. However, a person renting out single family residents, units in the form of apartments or multi-family housing (such as duplexes, triplexes, etc) does need to acquire a business license for those rentals. Unless, the rentals are for a short-term purposes (Airbnb, etc), then a license is needed.