§ 22-5. Applications.

(a) In general.

(1) Applications shall be made on forms furnished by the Board.

(2) With the application, the applicant shall pay a non-refundable application fee of $100.

(3) Before the examination, the applicant shall pay an additional non-refundable fee, to be set from time to time by the Board of Estimates in an amount sufficient to cover the cost to the City of necessary background checks and investigations.

(b) Investigation; qualifications.

(1) Prior to the issuance of a license, the Board of Licenses for Towing Services shall determine the qualifications of each applicant to be licensed as hereinafter provided.

(2) The Board shall conduct an investigation of the applicant for a towing service license.

(3) The investigation shall include the following:

(i) a determination that the applicant has the ability to engage in the licensed activity without detriment to the public;

(ii) the adequacy of the applicant's storage and/or repair facilities;

(iii) whether the storage facility is located in a location that is readily accessible for the recovery of a motor vehicle;

(iv) proof that the vehicle(s) to be licensed is properly registered and complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and rules established by the State of Maryland pursuant to the State Transportation Article;

(v) proof that the applicant has complied with any other rule or regulation provided in this subtitle or, subject to Title 4 {"Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations"} of the City General Provisions Article, adopted by the Board; and

(vi) proof that the applicant's storage and/or repair facilities are located in a place which is properly zoned for such use.

(4) No person shall be denied a license solely on the grounds that he has a criminal record, unless such conviction is within a period of 3 years prior to the application and involves the theft of property or constitutes a series of crimes which include the theft, receiving, or sale of stolen motor vehicles.

(c) Designated agent.

(1) Each application shall include the name and business address of a natural person 18 years of age or older who:

(i) is customarily present in an office in the City for the purposes of transacting business; and

(ii) has been designated by the applicant as the applicant's authorized agent:

(A) for receiving notices issued pursuant to this subtitle; and

(B) for receiving court process on behalf of the applicant in connection with the enforcement of this subtitle.

(2) The Board must be notified within 10 days of any change in the designated agent.