By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Businesses without permanent structures will now be able to obtain business licenses in Alabaster after the City Council unanimously approved changes to the city’s licensing guidelines during a June 23 meeting.

Through the changes, most small businesses will pay less than they currently do, and mobile businesses will now have an avenue to obtain licenses from the city. Alabaster’s previous business license does not provide a way for businesses without a permanent structure to obtain licenses.

The changes also removed a $11,275 business license cap for businesses generating more than $15 million in revenue, which puts Alabaster “in alignment with other cities our size,” Councilman Tommy Ryals said during a June 23 pre-meeting work session. The rates for the about 20 Alabaster businesses generating more than $15 million in revenue will not change.

During the pre-meeting work session, Ryals said the city may need to consider changes to its zoning ordinances to ensure they don’t conflict with the business license ordinance’s allowance of mobile vendors.

“There is something in the zoning ordinance that says you must have a permanent structure,” Ryals said.

City Council member Russell Bedsole said the business license changes will go into effect “as soon as legally possible.”