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Comment by David Powers on February 17, 2010 at 11:17pm

The LES Licensing events are tomorrow (Thursday 18th)
at the law School
Noon ...free...Licensing Litigation
5:00 PM...$10...“Top 10 Things You Need to Know When Licensing in 2010”
Public Welcome

Comment by David Powers on February 2, 2010 at 12:15am

I just learned that Russell Levine will be doing a presentation on the Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Licensing Litigation in 2010 at noon on the 18th at GU Law. It is open to the public and It is free.
Spread the Word.

Comment by David Powers on January 30, 2010 at 12:58am

If you get involved in Licensing, the newly formed NW LES chapter is hosting an interesting and informative event at Gonzaga School of Law on February 18, 2010 from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM
“Top 10 Things You Need to Know When Licensing in 2010”
SPEAKER: Russell E. Levine, P.C., CLP - Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP. The cost is only $10.00 and registration will be at the door, for more information see the Community Events listing for February 18th.

Comment by Chuck Teegarden on October 16, 2009 at 12:56pm

Dave:

You're very welcome. I spent my whole life in rural areas in Oregon and Arizona. Spokane is the biggest place I have ever lived!

Just to show you how radically times have changed: My dad converted our barn into a body and fender shop. He had a day job as a truck driver, but he wanted to get ahead. He decided that he needed a way to get the paint fumes out of the shop while he was painting, so he got a huge fan off of a Cat, bolted it to an electric motor and then mounted this contraption on the wall. He cut a hole in the wall and then when he painted, he'd crank the whole thing up and a visible flume of paint, would come shooting out of the barn! We had a millionaire living up the hill from us and he often commented on my dad's entrepenurial spirit. (Does your father ever stop working?)

Live and Let Live

Comment by Dave McClave on October 16, 2009 at 12:35pm

Chuck --> Outstanding response, and great advice! I will say that until about 3 years ago, no one ever had any issues out here... Although I disagree with many of the zoning regulations in place, I've not had a problem until the past few years, when people expecting a suburban environment came to the area. Now, we've actually heard people say, "I wish all these farms would just close up and let the developers in!" So, in addition to the zoning regulations simply being either out of date or unjust to begin with, there is simply a newer mentality that "one just shouldn't work from home." To my sensibilities, this offensive thought process stinks of prejudice against the free, and of ignorance of America's history. It seems very much to me to be in the best interest of the economy and the community to have a very large number of people self-supporting from their very own property. The only people who might see this as a threat could be commercial property developers and realtors... :-)
Thanks for the great response!

Comment by Chuck Teegarden on October 16, 2009 at 12:24pm

These zoning laws were passed pre-recession and historically, most rural areas took a "live and let live" approach to what people did with their property.

A very direct approach to this is to really look at the public policy issue, (which you have in depth, below) and then consider your options. Maybe the zoning needs to be modified in light of the fact that way more people are working at home than ever.

The Board of Commissioners needs to hear from you and others who are similiarly situated. Cut and past your previous writings and do some internet research on other counties home business zoning and you're on your way. Times have changed!

p.s. I am not an attorney, but there are a bunch of bright ones in this group that are probably smarter than me! (April, Greg, Paul, Jason, Laura and Rick)......lol

Comment by Jeryl Reinbolt on October 16, 2009 at 10:54am

As a Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. Independent Associate and Small Business & Group Benefits Specialist, I am VERY moved by injustice. My passion is to help people with high quality protection that usually is only enjoyed by the very wealthy. Our service focuses on NOW benefits - helping with Everyday Life Events like wills, traffic tickets, credit issues, identity theft, and straightening out problems with government agencies! It is very empowering to find out your rights when someone tries to bully you around, and then be able to follow through to enforce them because you now have "teeth," without breaking the bank to do it! David, I believe we can help. Let's chat over coffee.

Comment by Dave McClave on October 16, 2009 at 8:40am

David, Greg, Chuck >> Upon re-reading my rant, I see how I may have caused some confusion. Let me preface my response with the fact that I understand that most regulations, (not necessarily laws), are for the welfare of the community. It seems to me, however, that some are either discouraging to home-based businesses, or even arbitrary. For example, in my county area, zoned R-5, my state-licensed home-based business may occupy nearly half (49%) of my livable residence according to code, but cannot occupy a detached building, such as a portion of my garage. What difference could this possibly make to the community? Or how could it be any person's remotest business what I store in my garage, as long as isn't a danger or nuisance to the community? Now, I'm not storing anything but personal accumulated toys and camping stuff in my garage, but there are at least 4 businesses in my area that occupy outbuildings on residential property; for their sake, I'll not name them. I'm a media producer, so my profession doesn't disturb neighbors by even the furthest stretch of imagination, yet I must obtain a $170 "Home Profession" permit. I don't care about the measly dollar amount. This really just seems to be another tax, added to the myriad others, designed to collect from an already slim margin. That's a legal discouragement to home business. The money really isn't the issue - it's just more paperwork and hassle. I do understand the portions of the code that are designed to keep a residence looking like a residence and that are designed to keep a home business from disturbing the neighbors, but why would it matter if anyone but resident family (another part of the zoning code) were to be engaged in the business, as long as there aren't a chain of cars parked in the neighborhood? Incidentally, I have no employees.
I guess my biggest question would be this: Why would there be regulations on the books that seem bent on forcing would-be home-business operators to relocate to inconvenient business-zoned areas, if all else keeps the neighbors from complaining?
I'm certain that you can infer from this rant that I've had the zoning inspector visit me because of complaints. The first was from a neighbor who insisted we couldn't have 3 quiet egg-laying chickens on our property, perfectly situated within a rural zoned area. That neighbor was informed by the zoning people that we were well within our right, but they kept pushing for them to find something to cite. Obviously, there's something else behind the complaint, but oddly, the complainants won't be named, and the complaints are about issues which, again, can't possibly bother anyone except in principle, which leads to my feeling that this is a business un-friendly community. I would believe that it's ONLY my neighbors if I hadn't dealt over many years with clients and associates that had moved their businesses to other cities because of the same issues. And while there may actually be similar regulations in those cities, the neighbors aren't complaining, and no one is enforcing them just for the sake of enforcing the regulation. As Plato said, “No law or ordinance is mightier than understanding.”
Anyway, enough - I'm open to answers, explanations or suggestions -

Comment by Chuck Teegarden on October 16, 2009 at 7:58am

Interestingly, there is a support group for home based businesses that meets regularly at Greater Spokane Inc. There is a strong belief in this town that very small business needs to be promoted.

Did they require you to get a business license or is there a zoning issue?

Comment by Greg Johnson on October 15, 2009 at 9:21pm

Dave, as one who is pro-business, you've tickled my curiosity. Please cite the specific Spokane legal restrictions or legal complaints that seem bent on keeping home and business separate so we have a foundation from which to discuss this topic. Thanks!

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