(a) As used in this chapter, "transient merchant" means a person who engages temporarily in the retail sale of goods, wares or merchandise in the City and who, for the purpose of conducting such business, occupies a lot, building, room or structure of any kind.
(b) "Transient merchant" shall not be construed to mean, and the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to apply to, a person selling goods, wares or merchandise of any description raised, produced or manufactured by the individual offering the same for sale, or to persons handling vegetables, fruits or perishable farm products at an established City market, nor shall the provisions of this chapter apply to governmental, charitable, religious, benevolent, eleemosynary or other nonprofit groups, organizations or other entities, or bona fide representatives of the same, so long as the proceeds from such sales inure to the benefit of such group, organization or other entity, nor shall they apply to a person whose principal place of business, being a bona fide and lawful business, is, and has been for a period of at least six months previously, in the City, and who conducts or in any way participates in a sidewalk or similar sale.