Any licensee may renew his license at the expiration thereof; provided, that he is then qualified to receive a license and the premises for which such renewal license is sought are suitable for the purposes; provided further, that the renewal privilege herein provided for shall not be construed as a vested right which shall in any case prevent the mayor from decreasing the number of licenses to be issued within his jurisdiction.

    A.    Annexing License Holders. The restrictions contained in this section shall in no way affect taverns and other businesses holding retail liquor licenses, duly licensed by the county of Monroe or other municipalities, which are located in the territory annexed to the city. Licenses may be issued to them or renewed by the duly constituted authorities upon annexation; provided, that thereafter, all of the restrictions and contingencies contained herein shall apply.

    B.    Destroyed or Damaged Business. No license shall be held in existence by the mere payment of fees by any person, firm or corporation, for a longer period than ninety (90) days, without a tavern or business licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquor being in complete and full operation. However, if a tavern or business licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquor has been destroyed or damaged by fire or act of God and cannot be rebuilt or repaired within the ninety (90) day period, then in that event the liquor control commission shall extend the period of time for which a license may be held by the payment of fees without the tavern or business licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquor being in full and complete operation for an additional ninety (90) days. If either of the above-stated periods of time passes without the particular tavern or business licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquor returning to complete and full operation, the license for that particular business shall expire and not be subject to renewal, unless all other requirements of this chapter shall have been met. (Ord. 1343 § 3, 1995; prior code § 21-2-9)