CAO 98-23 CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
TO: Sergio Rodriguez
City Manager
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
C.A.O. NO. 98-23
C.M.O. NO. 1-7/98
July 31,1998
CAN THE CMB WITHHOLD HOME (PERSONAL)
NUMBERS LISTED ON OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES?
TELEPHONE
Your memorandum, dated July 17, 1998, asks whether the City can withhold home telephone
numbers listed on occupational licenses, as home based business owners have been besieged by the
public calling them through their home (personal) telephone numbers instead of using the business
telephone number.
The ordinance governing occupational licenses currently requires such applications to
contain a section designated "emergency locator," and such section requires the applicant to list not
only business and residence addresses, but also business and residence telephone numbers of the
owner or owners and the manager or other persons to be notified in case of fire or other emergencies.
These applications are considered public records pursu_nr~t to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.
However, there is no statutory requirement requiring applicants for occupational licenses to
provide their home telephone numbers concurrent with the filing of an application, although, it is
prudent for the City to request such a number in the event of an emergency concerning the business.
This requirement originates within the City's ordinance; therefore, should the Administration wish
to do so, it can propose an amendment to the ordinance deleting the home telephone number
requirement. Until such an amendment is adopted the code requires the furnishing of such
infon.ation.
Should you have any questions or comments regarding the above, please do not hesitate to
contact me.
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