In this subtitle, “license” has the meaning stated in §§ 17–101 and 17–201 of this title.

Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection and except as otherwise provided in this title, an applicant for a new license under this title shall submit to the clerk: an application that the clerk provides; and payment of the appropriate license fee required by this title. If an applicant is applying for a new trader’s license in a county or municipality that has not selected a uniform license fee under § 17–1806 of this title, the applicant shall submit to the clerk a certification by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, or other certification acceptable to the clerk, of the value of the stock–in–trade reported as inventory on the Business Personal Property Tax Return in each county where the business is located for the appropriate valuation year. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection and except as otherwise provided in this title, a licensee applying for renewal of a license shall submit to the clerk, electronically or otherwise: a certification by the county treasurer under subsection (c) of this section that there are no unpaid taxes due to the State or county on the fixtures or stock–in–trade; and payment of the appropriate license fee required by this title. If a licensee is applying to renew a trader’s license under this title, the licensee shall submit to the clerk a certification by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation, or other certification acceptable to the clerk, of the value of the fixtures and stock–in–trade reported as inventory on the Business Personal Property Tax Return in each county where the business is located for the applicant’s business for the appropriate valuation year. In this subsection, “county treasurer” includes the Director of Finance or other chief fiscal officer of a county that does not have a county treasurer. This subsection does not apply to a domestic corporation that has shares subject to taxation under State law. Except as otherwise provided in this title, a licensee applying for renewal of a license shall submit to the clerk, electronically or otherwise: a certification by the county treasurer of that county, if applicable, that there are no unpaid taxes due to the county on the fixtures or stock–in–trade; a certification by the municipal corporation, if any, where the business is located that there are no unpaid taxes due to the municipal corporation on the fixtures or stock–in–trade; and a certification by the Comptroller that there are no unpaid taxes due to the State. In this section, the valuation year: in Washington County, is the fiscal year that includes May 1 of the calendar year when the license is issued; or in each other county, is the second preceding calendar year before the year for which the license is sought. This subsection applies only in Calvert County. The clerk may not issue a license under this title for the first time to a business that will be located in Calvert County unless the applicant submits to the clerk a certification that the location of the business for which the license is sought is zoned for the type of business for which the applicant is seeking a license. The certification must be issued from: the Calvert County Department of Planning and Zoning; or the appropriate municipal corporation, if the location of the proposed business is within the boundaries of a municipal corporation. Each application for a license shall contain any information required by the Comptroller in regulation.

The minimum license fee under this title is $2.50. Except as otherwise provided in this title, the license fee shall be prorated quarterly, but not below $2.50, if an applicant applies after May 1 for a license that will become effective before the following April 30. A person who must have a license under this title but does not get the license on time shall pay to the clerk, in addition to the required license fee, a late fee. Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the late fee shall be the sum of: 10% of the required license fee for the calendar month following the calendar month when the required license fee is due; and 2% of the required license fee for each calendar month or part of a month after that. A late fee imposed under this subsection may not exceed 30% of the required license fee for the license year. The Comptroller shall charge an issuance fee for each license that is issued or transferred.

Except as otherwise provided in this title, the clerk shall issue an appropriate license to each applicant who meets the requirements of this title.

Except as otherwise provided in this title, a license is effective on May 1. Whenever a person begins business after May 31, the clerk shall issue a license that is effective on the date of issuance. Except as otherwise provided in this title, a license expires on the first April 30 after its effective date.

The holder of a license to do business at a particular place specified in the license shall display the license conspicuously at that place.

If a specific place for doing business is stated in a license, the licensee may change the place of business only if the clerk endorses the change on the license. Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, on application of the licensee, the clerk shall endorse the change on the license. In Baltimore County, the clerk may not endorse a change in the place of business until the zoning commissioner approves the new place. In Calvert County, the clerk may not endorse a change in the place of business until the licensee meets the zoning requirements of § 17–302(d) of this subtitle for a license issued for the first time.

If a licensee dies, the surviving spouse or personal representative of the licensee may do business under the license for the rest of the term of the license.