CITY OF NORTHPORT Our Mission: To Provide Efficient and Effective Services; To Promote a Sense of Community; To Enhance the Quality of Life. COUNCIL MEMBERS District 1 DENNIS HAMBRIGHT District 2 JAY LOGAN District 3 RODNEY SULLIVAN District 4 ROBBY DAVIS District 5 JEFF HOGG Mayor DONNA AARON City Administrator JOSEPH ROSE Dear Business Owner: We would like to take this opportunity to welcome your business to the City of Northport. We wish you success in your business and are glad to have you as a member of our growing community. We are proud of the City of Northport; it is a great place to live and operate a business. Our city continues to grow and prosper with the help of business owners like you. Again, welcome to the City of Northport and much success in your business. If you need any assistance or have any questions, please free to contact us. Sincerely, Cyndi Herre Sims Lou Anna Truelove Whitney DuBose Cyndi Herren-Sims Lou Anna Truelove Whitney DuBose Revenue Officer Revenue Officer Revenue Officer Business License Sales Tax Inspections P.O. BOX 569 NORTHPORT, ALABAMA 35476 PHONE (205) 339-7000 FAX (205) 333-3046
Congratulations! You have made a wonderful decision to start a business in Northport. Your friends at Northport City Hall have compiled a checklist with one major objective To make your business experience as simple and pleasant as possible. Below is a step-by-step listing of what must be accomplished to apply for and to receive a license in order to operate a business in the City of Northport. If there is any question as to whether you can locate a specific type of business in a specific location it is the best practice to contact our Zoning Department before you sign a lease. You can contact Scott Stephens at 205-339-7000 ext. 243 to be sure. Pick up a Business License application packet from Northport City Hall. This should include the code compliance form and contacts. These can also be found online at www.cityofnorthport.org Contact the Business License Revenue Officer for requirements and to calculate the amount of your license. You will need to explain the type of business that you will be conducting and give your estimated gross receipts from the anticipated start date until December 31 st. You will be referred to Whitney Dubose, our Revenue Officer in charge of scheduling inspections. She will set up the building inspections and help guide you through the process of being compliant in order to receive your business license. You will receive a Fire Department check list that will help prepare you for the fire inspection process. When the check list is complete Whitney Dubose will be able to set up the Fire Inspection. If you are applying for a Home Occupation Classification, your license packet will include the Zoning Application for Home Occupation. This application will need to be completed and returned with all required information in order for zoning to approve such a license. For questions please contact Scott Stephens at 205-339-7000 ext. 243 in our Zoning Department. When all departments have signed off on the Code Compliance Certificate application, Whitney Dubose will contact you. At this time you will need to come in the office pay for and receive your Business License. To get your business license you will need to make sure you bring the following: your completed License Application Include current years estimated gross form of payment (we accept cash, check, money order, cashier s checks, and Discover, Master Card, Visa and American Express) Unfortunately we cannot accept payment over the phone. the code compliance form (will be in your file in the license office if all have approved) copies of drivers licenses of top three officers or owners copies of any required state certificates or licenses if applicable, any state and or county inspection approvals (health department, fire marshal etc.) NOTE: The payment of fees is required at this time but in no way does this represent or imply the business is authorized to operate. Operating the business before a license is granted can result in fines or denial of the license application. Page 1 of 2
In order to receive a Business License all requirements must be met, all applicable fees must be paid, and a Business License must be ISSUED to that particular business at that particular address. IF ALL PROCEDURES ARE NOT FOLLOWED YOU COULD BE DENIED YOUR BUSINESS LICENSE. If you require additional information or assistance, you are encouraged to contact Whitney Dubose at 205-339-7000 ext. 203. I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the business license check list and that I have read the above steps. I am aware that failure to complete the above steps promptly may result in delay of approval of my business license application. Signature of Applicant Date Page 2 of 2
Departments and the names of contact people: CITY OF NORTHPORT, ALABAMA Helpful Contact Information 1. Inspections Revenue Officer Whitney DuBose 205-339-7000 ext 203 2. Zoning Scott Stephens 205-339-7000 ext 243 3. City Engineer John Powell Webb 205-339-7000 ext 204 4. Building Inspector David Kelly 205-339-7000 ext 233 5. Fire Inspection Officer in Charge 205-333-3024 6. Water Department Clerk 205-339-7024 7. Business License Revenue Officer Cyndi Herren-Sims 205-339-7000 ext 228 8. Sales Tax Revenue Officer Lou Anna Truelove 205-339-7000 ext 218 9. Health Department 2350 Hargrove Rd E 205-554-4540 (Karen Crawford, Jeff Chism, Mike Simpson, Rhonda Williams, Shernay Wells) 10. Police Department a. Stacy Cooper 205-469-1302 (Security Guards, Private Investigators, Solicitors) b. Traffic Officer 205-469-1302 (Taxi, Wrecker, Limo Inspections) 11. ABC Board Marquetta Burton 205-758-7501 12. State of Alabama Sales Tax (4%) 205-759-2571 13. Tuscaloosa County Sales Tax 205-722-0540 14. Tuscaloosa County Business License 205-349-3870 15. City of Tuscaloosa Tax & Business License 205-349-0220
G E T T I N G R E A DY F O R YO U R FIRE I N S P E C T I O N INSTRUCTIONS: Please complete the following checklist and return in person to the City of Northport business license office. If you have any questions or concerns about items on this checklist please call the City of Northport Fire Department at 205-333-3024. STREET ADDRESS o Are the numbers or letters that indicate the buildings address/suite, marked with minimum of 4 inch lettering or numbering, visible from the street? EMERGENCY LIGHTS o Does the emergency lighting work properly and function in both normal and emergency power modes if present and/ or required by code? (Check by pushing tester button on light) EXIT SIGNS o Is each exit clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit? o Is each Exit sign continually illuminated while the building is occupied? (Needed if opened after 5 pm.) (Check by pushing tester button on light) AISLES, WALKWAYS AND STAIRWAYS o Are the area s leading to exits clear of storage and obstructions? EXIT DOORS o Do all exit doors open easily from the inside without bars, locks or bolts? o Do all exit doors remain unlocked during business hours? FIRE EXTINGUISHERS o Is there access to a fire extinguisher rated at a minimum of 2A-10BC? (Minimum 10lbs.) o Are extinguishers mounted near exists when possible but not exceeding a maximum of 75 feet travel distance from any area of the building? o Are the extinguishers mounted on a bracket at a maximum height of 5 feet/minimum of 5 inches from the floor to the carrying handle? o Have the fire extinguishers been purchased new and/or serviced and tagged by a licensed fire extinguisher company in the last 12 months? (If personally bought must have the receipt taped to side of each extinguisher mounted) FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS (HOOD SYSTEMS) o If equipped, is the fire suppression system clean and in good operating condition? o Has the fire suppression system been serviced and tested within the past 6 months by a licensed fire protection contractor.(must be tagged) SPECIAL HAZARDS o Are safe clearances maintained between gas fired appliances and any combustible materials? o Are gas cylinders (Co2, Helium, etc.) stored in an upright position with protective caps in place and secured in such a way as to prevent falling?
By signing this form I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the check list and will immediately work to insure a successful Fire Inspection. I understand I must complete the attached check list before a successful fire inspection can be completed. I understand that if the Fire Department makes more than two (2) unsuccessful visits to inspect the building and I have not made corrections to the items they have previously stated needed to be corrected, I will be charged a fee of $ on the third (3 rd ) visit and every visit thereafter. I understand that until this process is complete I am not authorized by the City of Northport to operate or conduct business at this location. NAME OF BUSINESS: PHONE: STREET ADDRESS: BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE : DATE: Preferred time and date to schedule appoint for the Fire Department to come and inspect your building: Must be within the next 7 days unless approved by the Revenue Officer. Monday Friday 8:00A.M. until 12 noon and 1:00P.M until 2:00P.M (please put preferred date and time below. This appointment will be confirmed. If for some reason you must change the confirmed appointment time or date please contact at 205-. **Office Use Only** Date Received: Received By: Date Inspection Scheduled: Notes: Re-inspections: 2 nd Date Inspection Scheduled: Notes: 3 rd Date Inspection Scheduled: Fee Charged $ Notes:
CITY OF NORTHPORT, ALABAMA BUSINESS CODE COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE REVENUE DEPARTMENT (205) 339-7000 THIS CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BUILDING CODE OF NORTHPORT ON FINDING THAT AT THE TIME OF ISSUANCE THIS STRUCTURE WAS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE VARIOUS ORDINANCES OF THE CITY REGULATING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION OR USE. DATE OF APPLICATION: DATE OF FINAL APPROVAL: NAME OF BUSINESS ADDRESS OWNER CONTACT PHONE EMAIL: NEW BUILDING EXISTING BUILDING DEPARTMENT APPROVALS Restrictions: If APPROVED BY: Date: REQUIRED: marked see below. ZONING ENGINEERING BUILDING FIRE HEALTH DEPARTMENT Copy of the health department approval POLICE DEPARTMENT Signed permit app. or copy of approval on background check CITY ADMINISTRATOR Signed letter of approval after council meeting CITY COUNCIL Copy of Approved council agenda ABC BOARD Include a copy of the ABC Application and background check STATE CERTIFICATE REQUIRED (COPY) STATE LICENSE REQUIRED (COPY) RESTRICTIONS:
CITY OF NORTHPORT, ALABAMA CODE COMPLIANCE Re-Inspection Form REVENUE DEPARTMENT (205)339-7000 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR RE-INSPECITON FOR THE MARKED DEPARTMENT BELOW. I REALIZE I AM NOT AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE MY BUSINESS UNTIL ALL INPECTIONS ARE COMPLETE AND APPROVED. I UNDERSTAND I HAVE THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY ORIGINAL CODE COMPLIANCE APPLICATION TO COMPLETE THIS PROCESS UNLESS A WAIVER IS ISSUED BY THE REVENUE OFFICER. SIGNATURE: DATE: DATE OF ORIGINAL APPLICATION: DATE OF FINAL APPROVAL: NAME OF BUSINESS OWNER ADDRESS CONTACT PHONE EMAIL: NEW BUILDING EXISTING BUILDING DEPARTMENT APPROVALS Restrictions: If APPROVED BY: Date: REQUIRED: marked see below. ZONING ENGINEER BUILDING FIRE Best date and time: (between 8am-12pm & 1pm-2pm) ITEMS NEEDING RE-INSPECTION : NOTES: