City hall is asking Merritt business owners to remember to renew their licenses, or it may cost a little extra.

City administration said they mailed renewal reminders out in November of last year, and those that haven’t updated yet will get an additional ten per cent added to the fee. Wait until after January 31, and that penalty will rise to 20 per cent.

“No person shall carry on, maintain, own or operate from premises within the city, a trade, business, profession, occupation or calling without holding a valid and subsisting licence issued under this bylaw by the licence inspector.” said a press release from the city, quoting the Business License Bylaw. “The City of Merritt highly recommends businesses to renew their license for 2016 to avoid further late fees,” it added.