For the purposes of this chapter, the term "business" shall
include any person, firm, corporation or other entity which offers
goods or services in exchange for compensation. The term "business"
does not include:
A. Financial institutions as defined in the Financial Institutions Article
of the Maryland Code;
B. The practice of any of the following professions, as defined in the
Business Occupations and Professions Article of the Maryland Code:
(3) Certified interior designers (Title 8);
(6) Professional engineers (Title 14);
(7) Professional land surveyors (Title 15);
(8) Real estate appraisers and home inspectors (Title 16);
(9) Real estate brokers (Title 17);
C. The practice of any of the health occupation professions as defined
in the Health Occupations Article of the Maryland Code;
D. The offering of goods, services, entertainment, or participation
in games of chance or skill by any organizations described in Section
501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code;
E. The sale of farm, dairy and garden produce raised by the vendor in
the State of Maryland, nor to seafood caught by the vendor in the
State of Maryland, nor to articles of the vendor's own manufacture,
made or manufactured in the State of Maryland;
F. Home occupations as defined by the Ridgely Zoning Ordinance.
Prior to operating any business within the Town of Ridgely,
the owner or owners thereof, or the chief executive officers in the
case of a corporation, must obtain a business license from the Town
of Ridgely. This license is in addition to any business licenses required
by the county, state or federal governments. All licenses issued under
this chapter must be displayed in a manner so as to be clearly visible
to and readable by members of the public visiting the business's
principal office or store.
An annual fee of $50 shall be collected by the Town Clerk from
each business licensee to whom a license shall be issued or renewed.
Any unpaid license fee shall be subject to interest and penalties
as periodically established by the Commissioners of Ridgely for unpaid
sums due to the Town of Ridgely and suspension of license until all
fines and penalties have been paid.
The issuance of the license shall be conditioned upon obedience
to all applicable laws and regulations, Town, county, state and federal,
and the absence of any unreasonable adverse effect upon the peace,
health, safety, privacy or welfare of the citizens of Ridgely. No
license or temporary license shall be issued until the required fee
has been paid in full and the complete application has been reviewed
and approved by the Board of Licenses at a regularly scheduled meeting.
All applications missing any information requested by the Clerk/Treasurer
and/or Board shall be deemed incomplete and shall be tabled until
a complete application is received and fully reviewed by the Board.
All licenses issued under this chapter are not transferable,
and shall expire on June 30 of each year after the date of issuance.
The renewal date is July 1 of each year thereafter. Application for
renewals shall be made at least 60 days prior to the expiration date.
Following the conclusion of such a hearing, the Board may take
any of the following actions:
A. Refuse to revoke the license;
C. Revoke the license and issue a temporary license of such duration
as the Board may find appropriate, provided that the licensee is held
responsible for:
(1) Damages and penalties that occur as a result of noncompliance with
any of the provisions of this chapter; and
(2) Such attorney, administrative, and investigative fees incurred by
the Town for enforcement of this chapter.
D. Place additional restrictions upon the license, with or without the
consent of the licensee;
E. Require the licensee to post security in the form of a bond (secured
or unsecured), money or property, with penalty in favor of the Town,
with such security as the Board may deem appropriate, to insure the
payment of fines or damages or otherwise compliance with the conditions
and restrictions imposed by the Board;
F. Issue additional penalties and require the licensee to pay in full, any and all penalties in accordance with §
79-10 below. All penalties must be paid in full within seven days of the Board's decision. Any penalties not paid in full shall automatically deem the license invalid and shall incur additional penalties. The Board may not reduce or eliminate any penalties issued prior to the decision of the Board.
The Board may waive the license fee for organizations which
qualify under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, municipal,
state, or federally sponsored programs. Such organizations must nevertheless
comply with all the other provisions of this chapter.
Violations of this chapter shall constitute a municipal infraction
and shall be subject to a fine in such amounts as may be established
by a resolution of the Commissioners of Ridgely. Each and every day
the violation continues after due notice has been served shall be
deemed a separate offense. The imposition of penalties shall not preclude
the Commissioners of Ridgely from instituting appropriate action;
to restrain, correct or abate the violation, or to stop an illegal
act, conduct, or business, or to prevent illegal occupancy or utilization
of a building, structure or premises.