A.
Use of terms. It is intended that the terms "license" and "permit," wherever used within this article, be synonymous if, in the interpretation of any part hereof, such synonym is required to carry out the manifest intent and purpose of this article.
B.
Application. All applications for licenses and permits shall be made at the Office of the Division of Health during regular office hours, and the fees for every license or permit shall be paid in advance at the time of making the application therefor.
C.
Investigation. The granting of any license or permit may be withheld, at the direction of the Division of Health, pending examination, investigation or inspection of the person who or the premises which may be the subject matter of the license or permit under consideration.
D.
Fee exemptions. No fee for any license or permit issued under this article shall be required of any person declared by state law to be exempt from the payment of any such fee.
E.
Transferability; term. All licenses and permits issued under this article shall be valid only for the balance of the calendar year in which they are issued, unless otherwise provided in this article. No such license or permit shall be transferable or assignable.
F.
Issuance. The Division of Health shall evidence the granting of any license or permit issued by furnishing to the licensee or permittee a suitable card, sign, placard, disc, plate or other writing which shall convey information concerning the nature of such license or permit, the serial number of the same, the name of the person to whom the same has been issued, the year in which the same is so issued, the premises so licensed, if that be material or required, and such other information as the Division may deem pertinent.
G.
Display. Every license and permit issued by the Division of Health shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in the establishment, premises or other place for which the same is issued for the period that such license or permit shall be in force, unless the Division of Health shall otherwise prescribe.
H.
Suspension.
(1)
Every license and permit issued under this article may at any time during the term for which the same is so issued be suspended by the Division of Health or, in an emergency, by the Health Officer, pending a hearing to be granted the holder thereof, pursuant to a notice to show cause by the Division why such license or permit should not be suspended further or revoked.
(2)
No such license or permit shall be suspended unless the Health Officer shall file with the Division a complaint or charges evidencing one or more violations of this article under which such license or permit was originally issued.
(3)
Every suspension ordered under this subsection shall automatically terminate two weeks from the date thereof unless the continuance of such suspension shall be ordered by the Division, and then such suspension shall continue only during the period of any such continuance so ordered by the Division.
(4)
During the period of any such suspension or ordered continuance thereof, every license or permit so suspended shall be ineffective, and the holder thereof shall, during the entire period of such suspension, cease the operation of any business or discontinue every activity or use permitted under the license or permit suspended.
I.
Revocation.
(1)
Any license or permit issued under the provisions of this article may be revoked at any time by the Division of Health for just cause or if the licensee or permittee or any of the employees, agents or servants of such licensee or permittee shall violate:
(2)
Before any license or permit may be revoked, the holder thereof shall be given a hearing and an opportunity to be heard on the complaint made or violation charged against him.
(3)
The time and place for such hearing shall be fixed at the discretion of the Division, provided that an unreasonable time shall not be permitted to elapse between the date of any suspension of license and the date fixed for the hearing.
(4)
Notice of the time and place of any hearing held under this subsection shall be given by the Division to the holder of the license or permit so involved, in writing, and served either personally or sent to him by registered mail, addressed to him at the address stated in the license or permit.
(5)
A licensee or permittee who fails to appear at the time and place fixed for such hearing shall not be entitled to any further hearing, and in that event, his license or permit may, as a matter of course, be forthwith revoked.