Upon receipt of the application for a license, accompanied by the proper fee, if approval by another officer or department is not required, the clerk, by and with the written approval of the mayor, shall forthwith deposit the fee in the treasury and issue to the applicant a proper license certificate signed by the clerk and mayor. If for any reason the license is not issued, the aforesaid deposit, less $1 to cover expenses of considering the application, shall be returned to the applicant.
('68 Code, § 50.6)