In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Chain store license” means a license issued by the clerk to operate two or more stores under the same general management or ownership. “General management or ownership” means a common or shared management, supervision, or ownership of more than one retail store, regardless of corporate form, purpose, or structure.

This subtitle does not apply to a retail service station dealer, as defined in § 10–101 of this article, of which the principal business is the sale or distribution of motor fuel.

A person must have a chain store license and a trader’s license issued under Subtitle 18 of this title whenever the person operates two or more retail stores under the same general management or ownership in the State.

An applicant for a chain store license shall pay to the clerk a license fee based on the number of locations in the State. This subsection does not apply in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Cecil County. The license fee in each county is: for 2 to 5 stores, $5 for each store; for 6 to 10 stores, $20 for each store; for 11 to 20 stores, $100 for each store; and for more than 20 stores, $150 for each store. In Baltimore City and Baltimore County the license fee is: for 2 to 5 stores, $12 for each store; for 6 to 10 stores, $50 for each store; for 11 to 20 stores, $250 for each store; and for more than 20 stores, $150 for each store. In Cecil County the license fee is: for 2 to 5 stores, $10 for each store; for 6 to 10 stores, $30 for each store; for 11 to 20 stores, $100 for each store; and for more than 20 stores, $300 for each store.