Delta-based construction trades people will soon be able to get a single business licence to work in several municipalities.
Delta council has approved bylaws to establish the inter-municipal business licence program pilot project.
Under the program, local businesses will still require a Delta business licence, however, starting Oct. 1, those in the construction industry will be able to purchase an inter-municipal business licence as well. The additional licence will allow businesses to work in any of the six participating municipalities - Delta, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey and Vancouver.
Businesses obtaining an inter-municipal licence will have to pay a $250 fee.
The program is aimed at saving time and money for construction-related businesses that operate in multiple municipalities. The bylaw gives any of the participating municipalities the right to suspend an inter-municipal licence, however, only the issuing municipality would have the power to cancel one.
"Although Delta will lack complete control over each inter-municipal business licence, sufficient safeguards are in place to ensure that businesses operating in Delta meet Delta's standards for conduct, regardless of where the business is based," Sean McGill, director of human resources and corporate planning, said in a report to council.
The pilot project is slated to run for two years.
Nine municipalities in the Fraser Valley initiated a similar pilot program in January.
"Staff anticipate that within the two-year pilot program period, the two inter-municipal business licences will be combined, creating a larger area where businesses will be able to operate under one intermunicipal licence," McGill said in his report.
It's estimated Delta's share of the projected revenue will be about $122,000, which is approximately $11,000 more than the current business licence fees obtained from construction trades based outside of Delta that operate within the municipality.
The Delta Chamber of Commerce praised the move.
"For a company in the construction sector operating in multiple communities the many thousands of dollars and time spent to take out an individual business licence for each community every year is a great burden," said executive director Peter Roaf.
