Goodyear considering licensure to conduct business, freelance trade

The Goodyear City Council is considering requiring a $75 business license for any freelance or professional trade conducted within the city limits.

According to city attorney Roric Massey, as currently proposed, the license requirement is open-ended to address all possible bad actors within the city but may also impact side hustles like Tupperware sellers, out-of-town landscapers or even home-based freelancers.

The draft ordinance would further require freelancers, like accountants who invite clients into their homes, to be subject to business inspection requirements.

“If you're inviting the public yet, it's an optional inspection, but that would not be the focus area,” Massey said, Monday during a city council session.

Councilmember Bill Stipp believed the $75 fee would hamper families that need an extra buck or two to make ends meet.

“I think we're going to kill a lot of people who have home-based businesses by requiring licensure, and I know what we're trying to do, the problem we're trying to solve, but I think we're going to create another one,” he said. “I wish there was a way to continue to support them, especially in today's economy, where a lot of people are relying on that kind of income and those little mini businesses to keep their families afloat.”

According to the draft, the license gives the city consent to inspect at will, leaving entrepreneurs open to privacy concerns or subjective policing.

“The City’s code compliance officers, the Chief of Police or any other duly authorized law enforcement official have the authority to ... enter, free of charge and at any reasonable time, any place of business open to the public for which a business registration permit license is required by this article,” reads the draft ordinance.

When Councilmember Sheri Lauritano asked if dog walkers or makeup salespeople would be subject to the ordinance, Massey did not reply in the negative.

“That is not going to be our focus area,” he said.

Massey said the ordinance was left open and general to target some business owners without providing a legal loophole for bad-faith business owners.

“We're trying to balance an ordinance that is viewed in a non-discriminatory manner towards certain bad actors we might want to address,” he said. “Our recommendation is a broad brush across the board ordinance.”

Goodyear City Council tabled the approval after Councilmember Stipp requested a carve-out to protect home-based businesses. The council is slated to re-vote on the amended item in May.