§ 42-4. Powers.

The Department may:

(1) administer, oversee, and enforce City business licenses, permits, and practices, including business processes and related licenses created by the subtitles specified in § 42-9 {"Business practices under oversight of the Department – Listing"} of this subtitle;

(2) receive complaints and take action to investigate complaints of:

(i) businesses operating without a license;

(ii) businesses operating with improper licensing;

(iii) businesses violating the terms of a business license; and

(iv) unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices against consumers under City Code Article 2, Subtitle 4 {"Unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices"};

(3) set licensing fees, with the approval of the Board of Estimates;

(4) bring enforcement actions against a business for violating City law, including initiating a hearing before the Board of Consumer Protection and Business Licensing;

(5) issue summonses and subpoenas during an investigation under this subtitle;

(6) issue environmental citations, as described under subtitle 40 of this article;

(7) issue civil citations, as described under subtitle 41 of this article;

(8) report to any appropriate government agency with jurisdiction any information concerning violation of any consumer protection law; and

(9) advise the Mayor and City Council on issues relevant to City business licensing and consumer protection.