Delta is looking at entering into a pilot project that will allow construction companies to obtain a single business licence to work in several municipalities.
The intermunicipal business licence program would start Oct. 1 and run for two years.
"All businesses based in Delta will still require a Delta business licence," said Sean McGill, director of human resources and corporate planning, in a report to council. "As an additional option for construction trades, purchasing an intermunicipal business licence from their home municipality will allow these businesses to work in any of the six participating municipalities. This will save time and money for construction-related businesses that operate in multiple municipalities."
Delta has met with five neighbouring municipalities - Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey and Vancouver - in recent months to discuss the program.
In his report, McGill said the forthcoming bylaw would allow any of the participating municipalities the right to suspend an inter-municipal business licence, however, only the issuing municipality would have the power to cancel one.
"Although Delta will lack complete control over each intermunicipal 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," he said.
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 intermunicipal business licences will be combined, creating a larger area where businesses will be able to operate under one inter-municipal licence," McGill said.
Businesses obtaining an intermunicipal licence will have to pay a $250 fee.
It's estimated that 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.
