Chapter 5.58
LOCKSMITH AND SAFE MECHANIC PERMITS

Sections:

5.58.010    Permit required.

5.58.020    Locksmith defined.

5.58.030    Safe mechanic defined.

5.58.040    Investigation of applicant.

5.58.050    License required—Application—Investigation.

5.58.060    Fee and permit requirements.

5.58.070    Revocation.

5.58.080    Expiration—Renewal of permit.

5.58.090    Possession of permit—Replacement of permit.

5.58.100    Change of address.

5.58.105    Employees—Permits required.

5.58.110    Denial of permit.

5.58.120    Penalty.

5.58.010 Permit required.

Pursuant to NRS 655.070, any person who wishes to operate as a locksmith or safe mechanic in Humboldt County and whose principal place of business is located within Humboldt County must first obtain a permit to so operate from the Humboldt County sheriff. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.020 Locksmith defined.

A person whose occupation consists, in whole or in part, of:

A. Making, repairing or adjusting locks; or

B. Operating locks by mechanical means other than those intended by the manufacturers of the locks. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.030 Safe mechanic defined.

A person whose occupation consists in whole or in part of repairing, operating, adjusting or changing combinations on safes or vaults. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.040 Investigation of applicant.

Before the sheriff can issue the permit required, he/she shall investigate the applicant to determine that the applicant meets qualifications set forth herein below. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.050 License required—Application—Investigation.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a locksmith or safe mechanic business in this county unless the person first obtains a permit.

B. Application shall be made to the Humboldt County sheriff. Upon receipt of a complete application, the sheriff shall conduct an investigation subject to the requirements set forth herein.

C. Said permit shall be in addition to any business licensing requirements of Humboldt County or similar license issued by any incorporated town or city within the county. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.060 Fee and permit requirements.

A. The applicant shall complete a permit application form provided by the sheriff of Humboldt County.

B. Upon submission of the application, the applicant shall pay an initial application fee of ninety dollars to cover the costs of the sheriff’s process and investigation. The application fee is nonrefundable.

C. To aid in the investigation of the applicant the sheriff shall photograph and fingerprint the applicant.

D. Sheriff shall run a background check on the applicant through the FBI and CII to ascertain any prior criminal convictions which might warrant denial of the permit.

E. Applicant shall provide proof that he/she is bonded or insured against loss to his or her customers in an amount of not less than ten thousand dollars, against any negligent or criminal act of applicant or his or her employees.

F. The application together with results of the sheriff’s investigation shall be brought before the county board of commissioners at a regularly scheduled meeting for approval. The commissioners may require that the applicant appear before them in person before the permit may be issued. The permit shall be issued on a majority vote of the full board of county commissioners. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.070 Revocation.

A permit may be denied or revoked on the following basis:

A. If the applicant has failed to disclose, misstated or otherwise misled the sheriff or the board of county commissioners in respect to any fact contained within any application for a work permit or subsequent to being issued a work permit.

B. If the applicant concealed or refused to disclose any material fact in any investigation by the sheriff or the board.

C. If the applicant has committed, attempted, or conspired to commit larceny or embezzlement.

D. If the applicant has been convicted in any jurisdiction of any offense involving or relating to stalking, harassment, larceny or embezzlement.

E. If the applicant has a felony record or is convicted of a felony after a permit is issued.

F. If the applicant accepted employment or began business as a locksmith or safe mechanic without first having obtained a permit for which one is required to be licensed under this chapter after having been denied a license for a reason involving personal unsuitability or after failing to apply for licensing when required to do so by this chapter.

G. If the applicant has been refused the issuance of a permit hereunder or had any such license, permit or approval revoked or suspended. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.080 Expiration—Renewal of permit.

The permit shall expire five years from the date of its issue. A permit may be renewed after the five-year period with the payment of a renewal fee in the sum of ninety dollars to be submitted with the renewal application. A permit may not be renewed if the applicant has since been convicted of a felony or some other criteria listed under HCC 5.58.060 has arisen. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.090 Possession of permit—Replacement of permit.

The holder of a permit shall have the permit in his or her possession at all times. If a permit is lost, stolen, destroyed or requires an address change, then a duplicate permit may be issued upon the payment of a fifteen dollar fee for a duplicate permit. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.100 Change of address.

The holder of a permit shall, within ten days, report any change of address of his place of business to the sheriff. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.105 Employees—Permits required.1

A. No person may be employed by a locksmith or safe mechanic doing business in Humboldt County pursuant to this chapter, unless such employee is a locksmith or safe mechanic holding a permit pursuant to this chapter or shall hold a valid permit issued under this chapter by the sheriff of Humboldt County. Application for such work permit shall be made through the Humboldt County sheriff’s office and is subject to fees approved by the Humboldt County board of commissioners and subject to any law or ordinance currently in effect.

B. Any holder of such a permit must obtain a renewal from the sheriff of Humboldt County within ten days after any change in his place of employment.

C. The permit expires five years from the date of issuance, but may be renewed upon completion of a renewal application and payment of the fee for renewal of permits then in effect, pursuant to approval of the Humboldt County board of commissioners; provided intervening criminal action having been initiated against the applicant or the prior permit having been revoked justifies not renewing the permit. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.110 Denial of permit.

A work permit may be denied or revoked on the basis of the following:

A. If the applicant has failed to disclose, misstated or otherwise misled the sheriff or the board of county commissioners in respect to any fact contained within any application for a work permit, or subsequent to being issued a work permit.

B. If the applicant has concealed or refused to disclose any material fact in any investigation by the sheriff or the board.

C. If the applicant has committed, attempted or conspired to commit stalking, harassment, larceny or embezzlement.

D. If the applicant has been convicted in any jurisdiction of any offense involving or relating to larceny or embezzlement.

E. If the applicant has accepted employment without prior permit in a position for which he would be required to be licensed under this chapter after having been denied a license for a reason involving personal unsuitability or after failing to apply for licensing when required to do so by this chapter.

F. If the applicant has been refused the issuance of a work permit hereunder, or had any license, permit or approval revoked or suspended.

G. If the applicant has been convicted of any felony. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)

5.58.120 Penalty.

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars and may be further punished by the revocation of his permit. (Ord. 8-21-17a § 1)


1

Code reviser’s note: Ord. 8-21-17a sets this section out as 5.58.100. It has been editorially renumbered to prevent duplication of numbering.