[HISTORY: Adopted by the Commissioners of the Town of Ridgely 3-1-2010 by Ord. No. 332. Amendments noted where applicable.]
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:
(1) 
Accountants (Title 2);
(2) 
Architects (Title 3);
(3) 
Certified interior designers (Title 8);
(4) 
Lawyers (Title 10);
(5) 
Pilots (Title 11);
(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.
A. 
In applying for a license, in addition to paying the necessary fee as set by the Commissioners of Ridgely, the business shall provide such detail as the Clerk/Treasurer and/or Board of Licenses of the Town shall deem necessary, in order to determine whether the business may have an unreasonable adverse effect upon the peace, health, safety or convenience of the residents of Ridgely or may conflict with other laws, ordinances or regulations of Ridgely, the county, the state, and the federal government. All applicants must be present at the Board of Licenses' meeting for review of the application; failure for any and all owners to appear shall require the Board to table the application.
B. 
There shall be a Board of Licenses, consisting of the Chief of Police for the Town of Ridgely, the Chairperson of the Planning Commission for the Town of Ridgely and the President of the Commissioners of Ridgely or the President's designated representative, whose function shall be to review applications for licenses and receive complaints regarding violations and/or conduct of licensees. Members of the Board of Licenses shall serve without compensation. An alternate member shall be appointed by the Commissioners of Ridgely in case of conflict of interest, any question of ethical conflict, or illness.
C. 
The provisions of this § 79-4 shall not apply to any business which is required to be licensed under any provision of the Maryland Code.
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.
A. 
Whenever a licensee shall operate his business in violation of any law of the Town, of Caroline County, of the State of Maryland or the United States of America, or in such a way to create an unreasonable adverse effect on the peace, health, safety, welfare and privacy of the citizens of Ridgely, the Town shall deliver notice to the individuals who applied for the license, in person or by certified mail, advising such person that a hearing before the Board will be scheduled in order to determine whether the license should be revoked and the notice shall contain an order for correction of the violation and a time period within which the violation is to be corrected. Noncompliance shall result in penalties. The Board may at any time before, during or after the hearing appoint its own investigator to investigate a complaint or complaints and report back to the Board. Any fee for any unexpired portion of the term of a license revoked by the Board shall be forfeited to the Town of Ridgely.
B. 
The revocation of a license to conduct a trade, profession or business issued by any agency of the State of Maryland shall be conclusive grounds for the denial or revocation of a license required by this chapter.
Following the conclusion of such a hearing, the Board may take any of the following actions:
A. 
Refuse to revoke the license;
B. 
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.