[HISTORY: Adopted by the Municipal Council of the City of Clifton
12-20-1960 by Ord. No. 3319 as Article I of Chapter 10 of the Revised Ordinances
of the City of Clifton, New Jersey, 1960. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Advertising — See Ch. 121.
Bazaars, carnivals and circuses — See Ch. 159.
Canvassing and soliciting — See Ch. 189.
Garage sales and house sales — See Ch. 259.
Hawking and peddling — See Ch. 265.
Junkyards and junk shops — See Ch. 289.
Licensed businesses — See Ch. 303.
Special sales — See Ch. 371.
Public solicitations — See Ch. 391.
Transient merchants and pawnbrokers — See Ch. 429.
The provisions of this chapter are provided for the regulation of public
auctions and auctioneers in the interest of the protection and preservation
of the safety and property of the City and its inhabitants. The license fees
prescribed in this chapter are imposed for the purposes of such regulation
and for the raising of revenue.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Includes any person who, at public outcry, offers for sale to the
highest bidder any goods, chattels, wares, merchandise or other personal property.
Includes all buildings or structures used for and in connection with
a public auction, market or mart and the lands and premises described in the
application and accompanying plot plan.
Include any goods, wares, works of art, jewelry, antiques, commodities,
compound or thing, chattels, merchandise or personal property which may be
lawfully kept or offered for sale.
Include a public sale of personal property to the highest bidder,
by a person licensed and authorized for that purpose, and the place where
such auction is to be conducted.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to act as an auctioneer
or to sell, expose or offer for sale at public auction any personal property
or to maintain, use or operate premises in the pursuit, carrying on and exercise
of a public auction, market or mart in the City unless he first applies for
and obtains the appropriate license therefor in accordance with the provisions
of this chapter.
B.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to sheriffs, constables, sergeants at arms, executors, administrators, guardians, assignees of insolvent debtors, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, persons holding a license to conduct a closeout sale in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 371, Sales, Special, or other persons required by law to sell personal property.
[Amended 11-14-1966 by Ord.
No. 3728]
[Amended 11-14-1966 by Ord.
No. 3728]
A.
Any person desiring a license under this chapter shall
file with the City Clerk an original and four copies of an application, under
oath, in writing, on a form furnished by the City Clerk.
B.
The application shall set forth the following information:
(1)
The applicant's name, business name and business address.
(2)
Whether the applicant is an individual, a partnership,
a corporation or another entity and, if another entity, a full explanation
and description thereof.
(3)
If the applicant is an individual, the applicant's residence
address and date and place of birth.
(4)
If the applicant is a partnership, the full names, residence
addresses, dates and places of birth of each partner.
(5)
If the applicant is a corporation or other entity, in
the case of a corporation, the full names, residence addresses, dates and
places of birth of each major officer and each stockholder, the name and address
of the registered agent and the address of the principal office [The term
"stockholder," as used herein, means and includes any person owning or having
an interest, either legal or equitable, in 10% or more of the stock issued
and outstanding of the applicant corporation.]; in the case of another entity,
the full names, residence addresses, dates and places of birth of each person
owning or having any interest, either legal or equitable, aggregating in value
10% or more of the total capital of said entity, the name and address of the
registered agent, if any, and the address of the principal office.
(6)
Whether the applicant or any partners, officers or stockholders
thereof have ever been arrested or convicted of a crime and, if so, the name
of the person arrested or convicted, the date of arrest, the crime or charge
involved and the disposition thereof. The term "officers," as used herein,
means and includes the president, vice presidents, secretary and treasurer
of a corporate applicant.
(7)
The address of the place where the auction is to be conducted
by street number and tax lot and block.
(8)
The experience the applicant has had as an auctioneer
or a person engaged in the auction business.
(9)
The place or places and the times that the applicant
has been so engaged as an auctioneer or in the auction business.
(10)
The name and address of the bonding company furnishing
the bond as hereinafter required.
C.
The application shall be accompanied by the following:
(1)
References from two resident freeholders of the City
as to the applicant's character and integrity.
(2)
A detailed statement of the quantity, and description
of the quality and kind of personal property to be offered for sale, the location
thereof at the time of the application and where it may be seen and inspected.
(3)
The license fee, prescribed in this chapter, which fee
shall be returned if the license is denied.
A.
The applicant shall also file with each application an
instrument, in writing, nominating and appointing the City Clerk as the applicant's
true and lawful agent, with full power and authority to acknowledge service
of any notice and process for and on behalf of said applicant in respect to
any matters connected with said license and surety bond, or for the performance
of the conditions of said bond or for any breach thereof. The instrument nominating
and appointing the City Clerk as agent shall contain recitals to the effect
that said applicant consents and agrees that service of any notice or process
may be made upon said agent and, when so made, shall be as valid as if personally
served upon the applicant according to the laws of this or any other state,
and waiving all claims or rights of error by reason of such acknowledgment
of service or manner of service.
B.
The City Clerk shall keep a record of all notices and processes served upon him pursuant to the provisions of Subsection A of this section showing the date of such service. The City Clerk shall forthwith notify the licensee of such service, by registered or certified mail addressed to the licensee at the residence address or registered office shown on the licensee's application. Such notification shall be deemed complete upon mailing.
Before any action is taken upon an application for a license, there
shall be filed with the City Clerk a surety bond of a surety company authorized
to do business under the laws of the State of New Jersey, and satisfactory
to the City, in the sum of $5,000. The surety bond shall be conditioned upon
the due observance of all ordinances of the City respecting the conduct and
operation of auctioneers and the auction business at any time during the continuance
of such business. The surety bond shall be for the benefit of any person who
recovers a judgment against any licensee under this chapter by reason of any
damage sustained by such person as a result of having purchased any article
or commodity at a public auction or sale, conducted or operated by said licensee,
due to fraud or deceit practiced in advertising, selling or effecting such
purchase or sale. The surety bond shall be for the protection of persons and
property and for the preservation of the safety and property of the City and
its inhabitants, and as may be required by any statute or City ordinance or
regulation.
[Amended 11-14-1966 by Ord.
No. 3728]
A.
Every application so received shall be submitted to the
Chief of Police, Fire Chief, Building Inspector and the Health Officer, who
shall investigate, or cause to be investigated, the applicant and the premises
for which such license is sought. Each officer shall furnish the City Clerk,
in writing, with a report containing his findings and conclusions.
B.
The investigation and report of the respective officers
shall take into consideration the following:
(1)
Chief of Police: the qualifications of the applicant;
the parking facilities, traffic hazards and such other matters as may affect
the public safety and welfare.
(2)
Fire Chief: fire hazards and adequacy of exits.
(3)
Building Inspector: the safety of the structures to be
used and the location and zone in which the auction is to be located.
(4)
Health Officer: the provisions for sanitary convenience
and facilities.
The City Clerk shall present each application and reports thereon to
the City Council at the next regular meeting thereof after the filing of such
application; provided, however, that at least 14 days shall intervene between
such filing and the regular meeting.
[Amended 1-19-1994 by Ord.
No. 5666-94]
The City Council may, in its discretion and subject to the provisions
of this chapter, grant a license. It may deny the application for any of the
following reasons:
A.
That the location and use of said property covered by
the application do not conform to all ordinances of the City, and to all laws,
rules and regulations of the State of New Jersey or of any body, board or
commission thereof, which may be applicable thereto.
B.
That the applicant is not a proper or fit person to be
licensed.
C.
That the location of said public auction will be a hazard
to life and property.
D.
That the operation of a public auction at the location
sought will affect the health, morals or safety of the public.
[Added 1-19-1994 by Ord.
No. 5666-94]
A.
If, in the opinion of the City Clerk, an application
for the issuing of a license cannot be timely presented to the City Council,
the City Clerk may issue a conditional license for a period not to exceed
30 days.
B.
A conditional license may only be issued if all the following
are met:
(1)
Payment of a nonrefundable fee for a conditional license
for a public auction of $1,000. Should the City Council grant a license, this
conditional license fee will be applied to the license fee.
(2)
All forms, reports and investigations from all municipal
departments required under this chapter be forwarded to the City Clerk before
the issuance of the conditional license.
(3)
The applicant has complied with all other provisions
of this chapter.
(4)
This conditional license shall not be transferable.
The fee for a license for a public auction shall be $1,000 for a period
of one year or any part thereof.
The license for a public auction shall authorize the licensee, subject
to the limitations imposed by this chapter, to conduct and operate a public
auction at the place specified in the application and shall not be assignable
or transferable. The license shall, at all times, be exposed in a conspicuous
place on the premises.
[Amended 12-20-1966 by Ord.
No. 3740]
The license for a public auction shall be issued for a period of one
year only, commencing as of January 1 and expiring on December 31 of the year
of its issuance, unless sooner surrendered or revoked.
The license fee for an auctioneer shall be $1,000 for a period of one
year or any part thereof.
[Amended 12-20-1966 by Ord.
No. 3740]
Auctioneer's licenses shall be issued for a period of one year, commencing
as of January 1 and expiring on December 31 of the year of its issuance, unless
sooner surrendered or revoked.
A separate license to act as auctioneer shall not be required of the
holder of a license for a public auction or of one of the proprietors if such
licensee is a partnership, or one of its officers if the licensee is a corporation.
[Amended 4-6-1971 by Ord.
No. 4037-71]
All licensed premises shall be subject to inspection at all reasonable
times by members of the Police Department, Fire Public Safety Department,
Building Inspector, Health Department or any other officer or representative
of the City.
No part of the licensed premises shall be assigned or sublet by the
licensee, nor leased or rented as a concession.
Sanitary conveniences and facilities for both sexes shall be provided
upon the licensed premises. No license for a public auction shall be issued
until a certificate of the Health Department is filed with the City Clerk
showing the establishment and operation of approved sanitary conveniences
and facilities upon the licensed premises.
No auctioneer shall sell or expose for sale any kind of property upon
any street or sidewalk in the City, nor so near a street or highway as to
attract persons and vehicles upon the adjoining streets or highways so as
to create a traffic or other hazard to life and property.
No auctioneer shall ring a bell or permit one to be rung in, about,
upon or in front of the licensed premises at any time. He shall not solicit
or permit soliciting, by music, singing or loud noises for the purpose of
attracting the public.
No auctioneer shall sell, expose or offer for sale any kind of property,
nor shall any licensed premises remain open for the purpose of selling or
offering for sale any property on Sundays or legal holidays.
A.
Every auctioneer, whether acting in his own behalf or
as an officer, agent or representative of another, shall, upon the receipt
or acceptance by him of any personal property for the purpose of sale at auction,
and before offering the same or any part thereof for sale at public auction,
write or cause to be written in a book to be kept by him for that purpose
the following:
(1)
The name and address of the person who employed him to
so sell such property.
(2)
The name and address of the person for whose benefit,
behalf or account the property is to be so sold.
(3)
The name and address of the person from whom the auctioneer
received or accepted the property.
(4)
The name and address of the owner of the property immediately
prior to such receipt or acceptance.
(5)
The location, with street number, if any, of the property
immediately prior to its receipt or acceptance.
(6)
The date of the receipt or acceptance.
(7)
The place, with street number, if any, in which the property
is to be kept until sold or offered for sale at auction.
(8)
A description of the property, the quantity thereof and
the distinctive marks thereon, if any.
(9)
The terms and conditions upon which the auctioneer receives
or accepts the property for sale at auction.
B.
Such books and entries therein shall, at all reasonable
times, be open to the inspection of the City Manager, Chief of Police, any
member of the Police Department of the City or other officer or agent thereof,
the prosecutor of the pleas of Passaic County, and to any person who shall
be duly authorized in writing for that purpose by any of them and shall exhibit
such written authorization to such licensee.
No sale, by public auction, shall be held or permitted on any weekday,
including Saturday, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., of any new
or used diamonds, precious or semiprecious stones, gems, watches, clocks,
gold, silverware, jewelry and goods, wares and merchandise commonly classified
as jewelry.
No sale, by public auction, of any new or used diamonds, precious or
semiprecious stones, gems, watches, clocks, gold, silverware, jewelry and
goods, wares and merchandise commonly classified as jewelry shall be licensed
or permitted, except that such auction may be held at the applicant's existing
regular place of business and at the place wherein his regular business has
been conducted for a period of at least one year prior to the application.
A clerk shall keep an accurate written record of each article sold.
The record shall set forth the quantity, quality, kind or grade of each item
sold, the name and post office address of the purchaser thereof, and the price
paid for each of said items.
No auctioneer shall sell, expose for sale or offer for sale any property,
personal or mixed, of any kind, nature or description without, at the time
of offering such property, stating in a loud and distinct voice either that
the property is sold without any warranty or representations as to quality,
fitness, condition, price, value or genuineness, or that said article is expressly
warranted to be as the auctioneer represents it.
A.
No person shall sell, expose or offer for sale at public
auction any new goods, wares or merchandise unless there is securely attached
to each article a tag or label, upon which shall be plainly written or printed
in English a true and correct statement of:
B.
Seconds.
(1)
No person shall sell, expose or offer for sale at public
auction any goods, wares or merchandise commonly referred to as "seconds"
unless there is securely attached to each of such articles a tag or label
upon which shall be plainly written or printed in English:
(2)
In case such articles are plated, overlaid or veneered,
then such tag or label shall contain a true statement of the kind of material
or metal covered and of the covering.
C.
When precious or semiprecious stones are offered for
sale or sold, such written statement shall set forth the name, weight, quality
and fineness of said stones, and imitations shall be described as such.
D.
When watches and clocks are sold, the name of the manufacturer
shall be stated in writing, and no parts, movements or mechanisms thereof
shall be substituted or contain false and misleading names or trademarks.
Secondhand or old movements shall not be offered for sale in new cases, without
a statement to that effect.
E.
The tag or label shall remain securely attached to any
such articles or merchandise and shall be delivered to the purchaser as a
true and correct description and representation of the articles sold; and
in case said written statement is not a true and correct description and representation
of such articles sold, the same shall be deemed prima facie evidence of intent
to defraud.
It shall be unlawful for any person, with intent to sell or dispose
of at auction any property, goods, wares or merchandise, or to induce the
public in any manner to enter into any obligation for, or acquire title to
or interest in, any such personal property at any public auction, to make,
publish, disseminate, circulate or place before the public of the City, directly
or indirectly, in any newspaper, book, notice, handbill, poster, bill, circular,
pamphlet, letter or other publication any advertisement regarding personal
property offered to the public which contains any assertion, representation
or statement of fact which is untrue, deceptive or misleading.
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
A.
Act as a by-bidder, or what is commonly known as a "capper"
or "booster," at any public auction.
B.
Offer or make false bids on any personal property exposed
or offered for sale at such auction.
C.
Pretend to buy anything at any public auction sale in
order, in any manner, to stimulate such sales by any deceit or misrepresentation
in the making of bids or offers for the purchase of any personal property
exposed or offered therein for sale.
It shall be unlawful to sell what are commonly known as "blind packages"
or articles which cannot be seen by bidders before bids are made.
No person shall, after an article has been exhibited and offered for
sale at public auction, substitute an article in lieu of that offered to and
purchased by the bidder, whereby said bidder is defrauded.
The City Manager may, upon his own initiative or upon the filing of
a written verified complaint by any person, investigate the actions of any
licensee.
A.
In addition to the penalty provided in § 149-37, any license issued under this chapter may be revoked by the City Council if it determines, after notice and hearing, that the licensee:
(1)
Has willfully made false promises or willful misrepresentation
in violation of this chapter.
(2)
Has made false promises or misrepresentations through
agents, salesmen, advertisements or otherwise contrary to this chapter.
(3)
Has failed to account for or to pay over any moneys coming
into his possession and belonging to others.
(4)
Has made false statements in the application for a license.
(5)
By his conduct has demonstrated unworthiness, incompetency,
bad faith or dishonesty.
(6)
Has violated any of the provisions of this chapter.
B.
Notice of the hearing provided in Subsection A of this section shall be given in writing to the licensee. Such notice shall be given in person or by registered or certified mail, addressed to the licensee at the address given in the application at least five days prior to the date set for the hearing.
The City Manager shall have the power to suspend, for a period of not more than one month, any license issued under this chapter, upon any of the grounds enumerated in § 149-34 for revocation of a license by the City Council; provided, however, that during the period of such suspension the matter is brought on for hearing before the City Council as provided in § 149-34.
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to repeal or impair Chapter 429, Transient Merchants and Pawnbrokers.
[Amended 5-9-1969 by Ord.
No. 3912; 3-17-1970 by Ord.
No. 3969]
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction
thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment for a
term not exceeding 90 days, or both. A separate offense shall be deemed committed
on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
