Whenever a license or permit is required in this Code or in
any municipal ordinance for the maintenance, operation or conduct
of any business or establishment, or for doing business or engaging
in any activity or occupation, any person, firm or corporation shall
be subject to the requirement if by himself or itself, or through
an agent, employee or partner, he or it is held forth as being engaged
in the business, activity or occupation, or if he or it solicits patronage
therefor, actively or passively, or if he or it performs or attempts
to perform any part of such business, activity or occupation in this
municipality.
No license shall be granted for longer than a one-year term,
and all licenses, unless otherwise provided by ordinance, shall expire
on the last day of the next April following their issuance. Every
license shall be signed by the Mayor and attested by the Clerk under
the corporate Seal, and no license shall be valid until signed and
countersigned as aforesaid, nor shall any person be deemed to be licensed
until the same shall have been issued to him in due form.
In the absence of provisions to the contrary, all fees and charges
for licenses or permits shall be paid in advance at the time application
therefor is made to the Clerk in the amounts prescribed by the corporate
authorities. When an applicant has not engaged in the business or
activity until after the expiration of the current license year, the
license fee shall be prorated by quarters and the fee paid for each
quarter or fraction thereof during which the business or activity
has been or will be conducted. Except as otherwise provided, all license
and permit fees shall become a part of the corporate fund. In no event
shall any rebate or refund be made of any license or permit fee, or
part thereof, by reason of death or departure of the licensee or permittee;
nor shall any rebate or refund be made by reason of nonuse of the
license or discontinuance of the operation or conduct of the licensed
establishment, business or activity.