A. License Required; Application And Fee:
1. Each and every person engaged in business as a pawnbroker within the City limits is required to obtain a license by completing a license application in the form required by the Bellevue Marshal's Office. Applications for said license may be obtained from the City Clerk.
2. When application for a license is made by or on behalf of a partnership, corporation or association, such application shall be made by the manager, officer, agent or other person who will have the direct charge and management of such pawnshop or secondhand store. (Ord. 99-01, 2-11-1999)
3. Applicants shall be required to pay a license application fee in the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) prior to issuance of the license required herein. (Ord. 99-01, 2-11-1999; amd. 2018 Code)
B. Investigation Of Applicant; Issuance Or Denial Of License:
1. Upon receipt of an application for a license, the Marshal's Office shall cause an investigation to be made of the applicant.
2. Upon completion of such investigation, if the Marshal's Office finds that the license applicant qualifies, the City Clerk shall issue a license. Licenses shall not be transferable either as to person or place. A provisional license may be issued pending completion of the required investigation.
3. The Marshal's Office shall investigate the applicants or other persons principally in charge of the operation of the business for licenses pursuant to this chapter and shall report to the City Clerk its recommendations. The City Clerk shall, if the applicant complies with the licensing requirements, issue a license to the applicant upon the payment of the proper fee.
4. The license application may be denied for any of the following reasons:
a. Conviction of any felony;
b. Failure to have current Bellevue business license.
C. Appeal Upon Denial Of License: If the applicant or licensee is aggrieved by the decision of the City Clerk, the aggrieved party may appeal such decision to the City Council within thirty (30) days of notice of the decision of the City Clerk. The applicant or licensee must, in writing, appeal to the City Council and set forth the reasons therefor why the applicant should not be denied a license. The City Council shall set a time and place for a hearing within a reasonable period of time subsequent to the applicant's written notice of appeal. Notice of such hearing shall be personally served upon the applicant or licensee, or mailed postage prepaid to the applicant or licensee at his last known address, at least seven (7) days prior to the date set for the hearing.
D. Posting License: It shall be duty of every person to whom a pawnbroker's license is issued to prominently display such license in a conspicuous manner at all times in the pawnshop or secondhand store to which said license relates.
E. Term Of License; Renewals: Each license issued shall be valid for one year, and licenses must be renewed annually. (Ord. 99-01, 2-11-1999)