CHAPTER 31 - BUSINESS LICENSING CODE
Section 31-1 Declaration and Purpose
31-1.01 Declaration.
(a) The Spokane Tribal Council finds that the regulation of persons engaged in trade and business
on the Spokane Indian Reservation is necessary to safeguard and promote the peace, safety,
morals and general welfare of the Tribe.
(b) The Tribe shall have the sole and exclusive authority to grant, deny, extend, or withdraw the
privilege of doing business within the Reservation, except where such authority is withdrawn
from the Tribe by the operation of applicable federal laws.
31-1.02 Purpose. This Business Licensing Code, duly enacted by the Tribe, is designed to bring Reservation
businesses into compliance with Tribal law and to establish a fund derived from fees and civil penalties to
defray administrative and enforcement costs and to compensate individuals and the Tribe for damages
caused by business non-compliance.
Section 31-2 Definitions
31-2.01 Definitions. The following terms, whenever used or referred to in this Code, shall have the following
meanings, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
(a) “Agent” means the individual or individuals designated by a license to receive and accept service
of process.
(b) “Aggrieved party” means a party entitled to resort to a remedy.
(c) “Applicant” means any person who submits an application to the Commission for a business
license and who has not yet received such license.
(d) “Business” means any regular or temporary business activity engaged in by any person for the
purpose of conducting a trade, profession or commercial activity involving the sale of any
property or service.
(e) “Code” means the Spokane Business License Code as enacted and amended by the Tribal
Council.
(f) “Commission” means the Director and commissioners of the Spokane Business License
Commission, acting as individuals in their official capacity or as a body.
(1) An acting Director appointed by the Tribal Council may serve as the Director, and the
Tribal Council may serve as the Commission until the Tribal Council appoints a separate
Director and Commission.
(g) “Director” means the director of the “Commission” acting in his/her official capacity.
(h) “Hearing” means a proceeding following notice conducted on the record which affords the
licensee or applicant an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses and to present evidence.
(i) “Licensee” means any person who is granted a business license by the Commission.
(j) “Notice” means actual notice by hand delivery or by certified mail to the agent of a business.
(1) For time computations as provided for in the Code, which are to begin upon notice, such
notice shall be at delivery, except that where delivery is not possible after 3 consecutive
postal days due to the inaction or refusal of the agent, notice shall be at the time of the
first attempted delivery.
(2) Upon return of the forms of notice to the Commission due to non-delivery by reason of
inaction or refusal of the agent, the forms shall be mailed by regular mail.
(k) “Person” means any individual, receiver, assignee, trustee in bankruptcy, trust, estate, firm, co
partnership, joint venture, public utility, club, company, business trust, municipal corporation,
corporation, association, society, or any group of individuals acting as a unit, whether mutual,
cooperative, fraternal, non-profit, or otherwise, and includes any instrumentality thereof.
(1) The term includes members and non-members of the Tribe, but excludes any
governmental entity.
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Revised Spokane Law & Order Code, 5/14/2013