SEC. 12B-6. REGISTRATION REQUIRED; FEES.

   (a)   A person commits an offense if the person owns or operates a convenience store without a valid certificate of registration. A separate certificate of registration is required for each physically separate convenience store.

   (b)   It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that at the time of the alleged offense:

      (1)   the convenience store had been open for business less than 45 days;

      (2)   the majority ownership of the convenience store had changed and the store had been open for business under the new ownership for less than 45 days; or

      (3)   the establishment is operating as a cigar bar or tobacco shop as defined in this chapter.

   (c)   The annual fee for a convenience store registration is $265. The fee is payable to the director upon issuance of a certificate of registration. No refund of registration fees shall be made. (Ord. Nos. 27293; 30472; 32556)