Bell Municipal Code Ch. 5.16 Business Permits Generally

The businesses and activities designated in this division are of such unique character as to require that each of the same be specifically regulated in the manner provided in this division. No person shall operate or conduct, or allow the operation or conducting of, any of such businesses or activities without first obtaining a permit therefor, in the manner prescribed in this division.

(Prior code § 4100)

Any person required to obtain a permit pursuant to this division shall file a written application therefor with the chief administrative officer. Written application forms for such permits shall be prepared by the chief administrative officer which shall require thereon such information as he or she deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this division.

(Prior code § 4101)

The chief administrative officer, upon receipt of a written application for a permit shall conduct an appropriate investigation to determine whether the permit should be issued in accordance with the provisions of this division as set forth in this chapter. The chief administrative officer may consider any relevant factual material, including, but not limited to, the character and reputation of the applicant and/or other persons who will be involved in the conduct of the operation allowed by such permit, if issued.

(Prior code § 4102)

A. The chief administrative officer shall issue a permit required by this division only if:

1. A written application therefor has been filed; and

2. The required filing and processing fee therefor has been paid to the treasurer; and

3. He or she finds, as a result of his or her investigation, that all applicable provisions of this division with regard to such permit application have, or will be, met.

B. The chief administrative officer may condition any permit issued so as to ensure compliance with the provisions of this division. The action of the chief administrative officer with reference to the issuance, conditional issuance or denial of a permit shall be final and conclusive in the absence of the perfecting of an appeal from such decision in the manner set forth in this chapter.

(Prior code § 4103)

Within 10 days after reaching a determination with reference to a permit application, or suspension of a permit, the chief administrative officer shall give written notice of his or her decision to the applicant and to any other person requesting such notice.

(Prior code § 4104)

A. Any applicant aggrieved by the decision of the chief administrative officer with reference to the issuance, conditional issuance or denial of a permit shall have the right of appeal within 15 days after the service of written notice of the chief administrative officer's action. Such appeal shall be in writing, briefly stating therein the basis for such appeal, and shall be filed with the city clerk. A filing and processing fee in the sum of $50 shall be paid at the time of such filing. Upon receipt of such letter of appeal and fee, the city clerk shall immediately set the matter for consideration by the council at its next regularly scheduled meeting, and give the appealing party and any other person requesting the same, at least five days' written notice of the time and place of such hearing.

B. At the time and place set for the hearing upon the appeal, the city council shall give the appealing party, and any other interested party, a reasonable opportunity to be heard. The determination of the city council shall be final and conclusive.

(Prior code § 4105)

A. The chief administrative officer shall suspend any permit issued hereunder if he or she finds that the permittee or such permittee's agents and/or employees, have been, or are violating any condition of approval imposed upon such permit; violating any provision of this chapter, or other applicable law; or that the continued operations under the permit would endanger, jeopardize or disrupt the public peace, safety, health or general welfare; or any other cause, as set forth in this division.

B. The determination of the chief administrative officer with regard to matters of suspension shall be appealable to the city council in the manner set forth in Section 5.16.060 of this chapter.

C. The chief administrative officer, in the case of such suspension, shall serve the permittee with a written order of suspension which shall state the reasons for such suspension. The order shall be effective immediately upon the same having been personally served, or 48 hours after the same has been deposited in the course of transmission in the United States mail.

D. Immediately upon such an order becoming effective, the permittee shall cease all operations under such permit.

E. The order of suspension shall be deemed a revocation of a permit unless the permittee, within 15 days after personal service of such order, or 15 days after the order is deposited in the course of transmission in the United States mail, files an appeal from such order, in the manner prescribed in this chapter.

F. Where an appeal is taken, the city council shall act upon the same in the time and manner set forth in Section 5.16.060 of this chapter. The action of the city council shall be final and conclusive.

(Prior code § 4106)

A. Permits issued pursuant to this division shall be posted on the premises where the business or enterprise for which the permit is issued is conducted and shall remain so posted during the period the permit shall be in force.

B. Any permit issued to a person who goes from place to place within the city for the purpose of carrying on the business or activity as so permitted shall be carried by him or her at all times, and he or she shall exhibit the same upon request therefor.

(Prior code § 4107)

Permits issued pursuant to this division shall be valid until revoked or abandoned.

(Prior code § 4108)

No permit issued hereunder shall be transferable, except as otherwise expressly provided in this division.

(Prior code § 4109)