The city of Rathdrum is considering adopting a business license code, requiring businesses to register through the city.

“We get phone calls a lot that ask what kind of businesses we have in Rathdrum,” said City Administrator Leon Duce. “When businesses are looking to come to Rathdrum, they want to know what kind of competition is out there, what kind of resources there are, stuff like that.”

Licenses will be used to develop an inventory of Rathdrum businesses, so any existing business will have to file for a license.

Business licenses are a common practice in neighboring cities and would aid the city in things like local business promotion, business outreach and emergency contact, code compliance and consumer protection.

The City Council will hold a public hearing at the regular meeting April 12 to gather input from the public on this proposed code before adoption.

Licenses will likely be free until Dec. 31 and should cost $15 to renew, pending council approval. The cost for a new business license should be $25 starting Jan 1, 2024.

The goal for the fee is to cover the administrative costs of creating a business inventory, which would be available on the city’s website for anyone to see or use.

“We’re not trying to overburden people,” Duce said.

Duce has been working with the Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce in an effort to reach as many current business owners as possible, to let them know the license should be required soon.

The proposed code and practices for business licenses, including information on fees and applicability, can be found at rathdrum.org.

“As we get licenses in, we'll try to have a simplified process to renew,” Duce said. “We want to be able to do that in an online version.” The initial drafts of the license are in a dynamic phase, as the registrations come in, the infrastructure needs will become clearer to set up a website and maintenance for the licensing process.

If the code is approved by the City Council, it could be implemented as early as April 18, or if the council decides to make modifications or delay until the following meeting, it could go into effect by the end of April.

The proposed code is currently available for review. If anyone has questions or concerns or would like to suggest changes to the proposed code, contact Emily Smith at [email protected], or James Agidius at [email protected], or submit a public comment at rathdrum.org.