[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Town of Selbyville 8-2-1999 by Ord. No. 106. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 5-1-2023]
No person shall operate, maintain or otherwise engage in any business, occupation or activity designated hereafter in this chapter without first obtaining an annual license from the Town. With regard to persons with an establishment located within Town limits, licenses shall be issued only to businesses, occupations or activities permitted pursuant to the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Selbyville.[1]Licenses shall also be required for all persons, without an establishment located within Town limits, who are engaged for profit in selling any and all merchandise and/or given commodities and/or in providing facilities, services, rental units and/or food service anywhere within the Town limits.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 200, Zoning.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ESTABLISHMENT
A building or part thereof, or each stand, at or from which any merchandise or commodities are dispensed or facilities or services are provided to members of the general public.
PERSON
Shall include firms, companies, corporations, partnerships, associations and the like, as well as individuals.
UNIT
One apartment or one single-family dwelling or one-half of a duplex dwelling or one room in a motel, hotel or inn.
[Amended 9-11-2000 by Ord. No. 114; 12-3-2001]
Fees, as set by resolution of the Town Council from time to time, shall be required for the following:
A. 
Any person engaged, for profit, in selling any and all merchandise and/or given commodities and/or in providing facilities, services, rental units and/or food service within the Town at or from any given establishment.
B. 
Any person engaged for profit in renting rooms, cottages, private houses, mobile homes/trailers, apartments, motels and hotels within the Town.
C. 
Any person, without an establishment located within Town limits, who is engaged for profit in selling any and all merchandise and/or given commodities and/or in providing facilities, services, rental units and/or food service anywhere within the Town limits.
[Added 5-1-2023]
Applications for licenses pursuant to this chapter shall be made annually and shall be addressed to the Town in writing and verified by oath or affirmation signed by the applicant. Each applicant shall give the following information:
A. 
The home and business address of the applicant.
B. 
If the applicant is a partnership, the names and addresses of the individuals composing the partnership.
C. 
If the applicant is a corporation, the names and addresses of the principal officers of the corporation.
D. 
A full description of the nature of the business or enterprise for which the license is required.
E. 
A statement that the applicant has complied with all laws and ordinances of the Mayor and Council of the Town of Selbyville. Falsification or misrepresentation of any statement or activity or the nonpayment of fees, taxes and/or assessments shall subject applicant to denial or revocation of license.
F. 
For establishments engaged in the sale of alcoholic liquor for on- or off-premises consumption, such application shall contain a statement under oath that the business or establishment for which said license is sought does and/or will, at all times during which the license is in effect, conform to the documentation so submitted.
G. 
Authorization for the Town, its agents and employees, to seek information and conduct an investigation into the truth of the statements set forth in the application and the qualifications of the applicant for the license.
H. 
Written declaration by the applicant, under penalty of perjury, that the information contained in the application is true and correct with said application being duly dated and signed in the Town.
No rental license shall be issued for any rental unit under this chapter until the applicant shall certify, in writing, on a form prepared by the Town, that:
A. 
Each such rental unit has a functioning smoke detection device and those other safety devices required by the Fire Marshall of Sussex County.
B. 
The number and relationship of people per unit or building is in compliance with the Town's Housing Code, Building Code,[1] and Zoning Ordinance.[2]
[Amended 12-3-2001]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 61, Building Construction.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 200, Zoning.
C. 
That the license holder shall maintain the appearance of the dwelling, parking area and grounds.
D. 
That the license holder or applicant has not made any misrepresentation of fact in the license application.
E. 
That a certification is attached; said certification shall be issued by the Town's Code Enforcement Official or other designee of Town Council that an inspection has been performed and the unit meets the current applicable federal and state laws and local ordinances, including but not limited to the Town Rental Property Checklist, Building Code, Zoning Ordinance, Housing Code, and other health, safety and fire codes applicable within the Town of Selbyville, which the Town seeks to enforce.
F. 
That the unit complies with the off-street parking requirements in the Zoning Ordinance.
A. 
Upon the receipt of an application completed in good order, the Town Administrator shall examine such application and shall ascertain by such examination whether the activities indicated and described are in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and all other pertinent laws and ordinances.
B. 
If the Town Administrator is satisfied that the activities described in the application for license and the information filed therewith conform to the requirements of this chapter and other pertinent laws and ordinances, the Town Administrator shall issue a license to the applicant.
C. 
If the application for a license describes an activity or contains information which does not conform to the requirements of this chapter or other pertinent laws or ordinances, the Town Administrator shall not issue a license, but shall return the application to the applicant with his refusal to issue such license. Such refusal shall, when requested, be in writing and shall contain the reasons therefor.
A. 
Any license issued pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to suspension or revocation by the Town Administrator for violation of any provision of this chapter or for any grounds that would warrant the denial or issuance of such license in the first place. The Town Administrator, upon revocation or suspension shall state his reasons in writing and specify the particular grounds for such revocation or suspension.
B. 
Upon the receipt of a written complaint concerning the lack of qualification of any license holder or applicant, the Town Administrator or his delegate shall investigate and review the facts and may recommend to the Mayor and Town Council the revocation or suspension of the license or denial of the application.
C. 
The Mayor and Town Council, at the next regular meeting after the filing of a recommendation to revoke, suspend or deny shall consider the recommendation and for just cause may act to implement it; provided, however, that before an order to revoke, suspend or deny a license shall take effect, the Mayor and Town Council shall give notice to the license holder or applicant to appear at the next meeting of the Mayor and Town Council which will be at least 15 days hence to show cause why the Mayor and Town Council should not take such action.
No license fee shall be charged for a license issued to a charitable or public service institution, association, club or body not organized and conducted for private gain, nor shall the Town be charged for licenses.
A. 
No license is required for deliverymen who make deliveries of merchandise or material to citizens or businesses located within the Town.
[Amended 5-1-2023]
B. 
No license is required for flea market sales or yard sales conducted on the premises for the sale of personal property owned by the owner or lessee of the land and the principal building located on the parcel where the sale is to be conducted; provided, however, that not more than three flea market sales or yard sales shall be conducted in each calendar year on said premises.
The license year shall begin January 1 and end December 31 of each calendar year.
The Town shall prescribe the form of the establishment license certificate to be issued to applicants and keep full and complete records of all licenses issued and the expiration dates thereof and the license fee charged.
All licenses issued under this chapter shall be posted in a public place in the establishment, at the place of business for which it is issued, or as the case may be, shall be carried on the person of the licensee.
No license shall be issued under this chapter to be used upon the premises upon which any taxes or assessment due the Town of Selbyville are due but not paid.
Annual licenses must be obtained prior to opening, starting or continuing any business, occupation or activity as described in this chapter for any license year.
It shall be a condition to the issuance of any and all licenses under this chapter that the business, occupation or activity licensed shall be used and operated only for lawful purposes. The right of the Town Council of the Town of Selbyville, Delaware, in its discretion to refuse to grant any license and to revoke any license previously granted is hereby specifically reserved.
Whoever shall violate any provision of this chapter shall upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine not less than $25 nor more than $200, plus costs, including Town Attorney fees and Victim's Compensation Fund assessment. Each day that a business, occupation or activity is carried on, prosecuted, conducted or engaged in without a proper license having been obtained pursuant to this chapter shall be deemed to be a separate offense.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).