493. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 490, and without prejudice to the provisions of any special charter of a city or town, the council may impose and levy an annual license or permit not exceeding three hundred dollars on merchants doing business in the municipality and who do not reside therein or are resident therein since less than three months and whose names are not entered on the valuation roll as owners of immoveables, but temporarily occupying premises, without, however, being obliged to impose a tax or permit on those resident therein since more than three months.
R. S. 1964, c. 193, s. 529.