(a) Within 30 days after the application is filed, a challenge may be filed with the Director by:
(1) a resident or owner of real property located within 300 feet of a licensed or proposed license;
(2) the municipality in which the residence is located;
(3) any applicable homeowners association, condominium, housing cooperative; or
(4) the owner of the unit or the owner’s rental agent, if the applicant is not the owner.
(b) The Director must, within 60 days after receipt of the challenge:
(1) provide notice of the challenge to the applicant;
(2) provide an opportunity for the applicant to respond to the challenge;
(3) investigate any question of fact raised by the challenge;
(4) approve or deny the license or license renewal after reviewing the application, including supporting documents provided by the applicant and challenger, for conformance with this Chapter and all other applicable laws and regulations; and
(5) if the license or license renewal is approved:
(i) issue the license for a term of one year, renewable for additional one-year terms, subject to re-application, payment of the license fee, and compliance with all applicable laws and certifications required for the license; and
(ii) provide written notice to the parties listed in section 54-43(m) of the issuance of the license and the procedure to file an appeal with the Board of Appeals. (2017 L.M.C., ch. 27, §1; 2023 L.M.C., ch. 33, §1.)