Before initiating any work for which a permit is required by applicable codes and ordinances, it shall be the duty of the contractor to determine whether such permits have been issued by the Code Enforcement Officer. Work shall not begin until the required permits have been secured. In work of an emergency nature, permits shall be secured at the earliest possible opportunity. Any registered contractor who shall engage in work for which a permit is required by applicable codes and ordinances shall, if such permit has not been issued, be subject to immediate suspension of his registration for a period of one month for the first offense, three months for the second offense and six months for each additional offense, in addition to the penalties prescribed in §
176-6B. Suspension shall be cumulative.