City of Camden, NJ Article I General Provisions

§ 485-1 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases and words shall have the meanings indicated. (For definitions of specific businesses/occupations, see the relevant chapters of this Code.[1])

BUSINESS

As used in both the singular and plural sense, includes all kinds of vocations, occupations, professions, enterprises, establishments and all other kinds of activities and matters as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:52-1, as amended, together with all devices, machines, vehicles and appurtenances, whether or not conducted for profit, on any premises in the City of Camden.

CHIEF LICENSE INSPECTOR

The chief license inspector is that person designated by the Director of License and Inspections pursuant to § 7-60 to be responsible for approving all licenses which are the subject of this chapter and for enforcing all provisions of this chapter and all pertinent chapters of the Code of the City of Camden.

[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994; 12-10-2019 by Ord. No. MC-5232]

CONTESTED CASE

A proceeding, including but not restricted to licensing, in which the legal rights, duties or privileges of a party are required by law to be determined by an agency after an opportunity for hearing.

LICENSE

A written document, issued by the Chief License Inspector, constituting official authorization of a continuing business or activity or a person desiring to conduct the same. Unless otherwise specified, a "license" shall be effective from January 1, or date of issue, to December 31 of the year in which it is issued. (See also Chapter 791, Transient Merchants.)

LICENSEE

Includes all persons to whom licenses are issued as well as any agent of the licensee.

LICENSING

Includes the administrative process respecting the issuance, denial, renewal, revocation, suspension, annulment, withdrawal or amendment of a license.

LICENSING INSPECTOR

All officials, officers or employees of the City of Camden entrusted with the enforcement of this chapter.

PERSON

Includes individual natural persons, partnerships, joint adventures, societies, associations, clubs, trustees, trusts or corporations or any officers, agents or employees of any kind, or personal representatives thereof, in any capacity, acting either individually or with any other person, either under personal appointment or pursuant to law.

PREMISES

All lands, structures and fixtures of any lot, place or parcel covered by any regulation or ordinance provision.

REVOCATION

The termination, by formal action of the Chief License Inspector, of a license, which termination shall not be subject to renewal or restoration, except that an application for a new license may be presented and acted upon after the expiration of at least two years after the date of revocation.

[Amended 12-8-1985 by Ord. No. MC-1994]

SUBJECT MATTER OF LICENSING

Any persons, equipment, devices, materials, premises, services or activities which are required by state law, this chapter or other City ordinances to be licensed or are the subject of any provisions contained in any such law or ordinance.

SUSPENSION

The temporary withdrawal, by formal action by the Chief License Inspector, of a license for a period specifically designated, not to exceed the term of the original grant of the license.

[Amended 12-8-1983 by Ord. No. MC-1994]

[1] Editor's Note: When Ord. No. MC-1910 was codified, its provisions relevant to specific businesses and occupations were placed in the following chapters: Ch. 169, Advertising Materials, Art. I; Ch. 193, Arcades and Amusement Devices; Ch. 204, Auctions and Auctioneers; Ch. 217, Billiard and Pool Rooms; Ch. 225, Bowling Alleys; Ch. 248, Carousels and Merry-Go-Rounds; Ch. 264, Circuses and Exhibitions; Ch. 286, Dances and Dance Halls; Ch. 325, Entertainers, Models and Dancers; Ch. 329, Entertainment, Places of Public; Ch. 378, Flea Markets; Ch. 383, Florists; Ch. 390, Food and Beverage Vending Machines; Ch. 394, Retail Food Establishments; Ch. 416, Gasoline and Vehicle Repair Stations; Ch. 434, Hawkers, Peddlers and Solicitors; Ch. 439, Health Clubs; Ch. 456, Ice Dealers and Vending Machines; Ch.467, Junkyards; Ch. 478, Laundries, Self-Service; Ch. 496, Massage Parlors; Ch. 500, Mercantile Businesses; Ch. 507, Mobile Homes and Mobile Home Parks; Ch. 512, Motels and Hotels; Ch. 545, Parking Lots, Commercial; Ch. 587, Photographers, Street; Ch. 661, Sales, Special; Ch. 667, Secondhand Dealers; Ch. 705, Soft Drinks; Ch. 758, Taxicabs; Ch. 766, Theaters; Ch. 785, Towing Services; Ch. 791, Transient Merchants; and Ch. 822, Vehicles, Sale of.

§ 485-2 Applicability; relation to other regulations; purpose.

A. This chapter shall govern the issuance of all licenses by the City of Camden, except where otherwise expressly provided by ordinance or expressly exempted therefrom. It is not intended to repeal, abrogate, annul or in any way impair or interfere with the existing provisions of other laws or ordinances, except those specifically repealed by this chapter. In the event of a conflict between this chapter and a specific provision of any other provision of the Code of the City of Camden or other City ordinance, the specific provision shall govern, but only to the extent that such conflict cannot be reconciled.

B. It is the purpose of this chapter to establish uniform procedures for licensing in the City of Camden to be utilized in conjunction with substantive regulations set forth in this chapter and other chapters of this Code.

§ 485-3 Licenses required.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person, either directly or indirectly, without first obtaining a license where required by this chapter or other City ordinance or state law, to perform any of the following acts:

[Amended 5-12-2005 by Ord. No. MC-4058; 10-9-2012 by Ord. No. MC-4694]

(1) Sell any goods, facilities or services.

(2) Solicit business or offer goods or services for sale or hire.

(3) Acquire or use any vehicle or device in the City.

(4) Engage in any activity or perform any act connected therewith.

(5) Permit any premises owned or under his/her control or possession to be used for any activity subject to licensing.

B. This requirement shall apply to all persons, businesses, etc., including nonprofit, religious, educational or charitable organizations.

§ 485-4 Agents and representatives of licensees.

A. The agent or other representative of any person engaged in any business, activity or enterprise in the City subject to any licensing requirement shall be personally responsible for the compliance of his/her principals with this chapter and of the business with the provisions thereof.

B. Prior to the issuance of any license to a person not residing within the state, the applicant shall appoint an agent within the state upon whom process may be served and shall furnish the issuing officer with the agent's name and post office address within this state.

C. In the event of a change of agent or a change of address of the agent, the licensee shall forthwith notify the issuing officer.

D. All such appointments of agents shall be accepted, in writing, by the agent. In the event that any licensee fails to notify the issuing officer of a change in agent, or in the event the agency is terminated during the term of the license, the license shall be suspended until a new or corrective appointment is made.

§ 485-5 General requirements.

Every licensee under this chapter shall:

A. Permit inspections of the subject matter of licensing and examination of his books and records pertaining thereto.

B. Ascertain and at all times comply with all applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.

C. Avoid all forbidden, improper or unnecessary practices or conditions which do or may affect the public health, morals or welfare.

D. Refrain from operating the licensed business on premises after expiration of his license and during the period his license is revoked or suspended.

§ 485-6 Display of license.

Every licensee under this chapter shall display any license issued by the City of Camden as follows:

A. Post and maintain such license upon the licensed premises in a place where it may be seen at all times or upon any machine, device or equipment subject to licensing in a conspicuous place thereon, where the same may be easily and quickly identified.

B. Where the licensed premises do not have a window facing a public way at street level or a glass door opening upon the public way, such insignia shall be affixed to the glass in the door, window or other prominent place in the nearest proximity to the principal public entrance to such establishment and shall be placed and maintained so as to be plainly visible from such public entrance.

C. Affix any insignia, license, tag, plate, badge, emblem or sticker delivered for use in connection with a licensed motor vehicle on the inside of such vehicle or in such other manner as may be prescribed by the supervising officer and permitted under Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes Annotated.

§ 485-7 Effect of other regulations on vehicles.

Any general or special license fees required for any kind of vehicles, for the privilege of being operated upon the public highways, by any statute, provision of the Code of the City of Camden or other City ordinance shall not abrogate, limit or affect any further requirements of this chapter or other ordinances or laws for additional and separate licenses and fees for such vehicles or other uses for and relating to the privilege of using the same in the business so licensed.