§ 9-10. Term and renewal of license.

(a) Term.

Each late-night operations license expires annually on the anniversary of its issuance and is renewable as provided in this section.

(b) Application for renewal.

To renew a license, the licensee must:

(1) apply no less than 60 days nor more than 90 days before the license expires; and

(2) in accordance with the Department's rules and regulations, post the premises for 15 days.

(c) Approval.

On filing the renewal application and payment of the renewal fee, the Department may approve the application, except as provided in subsection (d) of this section.

(d) Objections; Review.

(1) If, within the 15-day posting period, 10 or more written objections from real property owners, commercial tenants that are not themselves holders of or applicants for a late-night operations license, or residents within the impact area of the business, the Department must:

(i) deny the application; and

(ii) within 7 days after the last day of the 15-day posting period, notify the applicant of the denial and of the applicant's right to appeal to the Director.

(2) Within 30 days of receiving the notice of denial, the applicant may appeal to the Director for an administrative review of the application.

(3) The filing of an appeal to the Director does not stay the decision of the Department pending the Director's decision.

(4) The considerations and decision of the Director shall be as provided in § 9-9 of this subtitle.