Regulation .04 License Applications.
Current through 2026-01-20. Source: COBRA Register Volume 04, Issue 02. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., COBRA § 17.05.01.04 (2026)
Regulation .04 License Applications.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Applicant Requirements.
(1)
An owner and an operator shall jointly apply to the Board for a license, and:
(a)
An application from a corporation shall be made by its chief executive officer;
(b)
An application from a partnership shall be made by its managing partner; and
(c)
An application from a proprietorship shall be made by its owners.
(2)
The Board shall determine that the applicant meets the requirements in <cite data-path="17.05.01.04|C.">§C of this Regulation</cite> prior to issuing an adult entertainment license to an applicant.
(3)
If an applicant is disqualified by the Board, a new application will be required.
B.
Applications Generally.
(1)
An applicant shall submit an application for a license transfer, change of officers, or change in resident agent on a form required by the Board.
(2)
An applicant shall access the application on the Liquor Board website under the heading entitled "Application Process".
(3)
An applicant or a person acting under the applicant’s personal supervision shall complete the application.
(4)
The Board shall accept applications in both hard copy and in electronically submitted format.
(5)
The Board shall accept an application that is complete and legible.
(6)
An applicant shall submit an application which meets the requirements stated in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|15|§1-8">City Code Article 15, § 1-8</cite>.
(7)
The Board shall post notice for 15 days on the proposed business premises that an application for an adult entertainment license has been filed.
(8)
The Board staff shall:
(a)
Create the notice for posting; and
(b)
Affix the notice to the proposed premises.
C.
Determination.
(1)
The Board shall consider in its determination of whether to grant a license whether the applicant:
(a)
Is at least 18 years of age;
(b)
Is of good moral character;
(c)
Has within the 3 years prior to submitting the application been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or no contest to a felony charge involving:
(i)
Moral turpitude;
(ii)
Controlled dangerous substances;
(iii)
Prostitution;
(iv)
Obscenity; or
(v)
A crime that is sexual in nature.
(2)
The Board may issue the adult entertainment business license if:
(a)
The applicant has met the standards listed in § C(1); and
(b)
The Board receives less than 10 valid written protests to the application.
(3)
The Board shall notify the applicant in writing of its decision to grant or deny
the license in accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|15">City Code Article 15</cite>, §1-13.
(4)
If the Board denies an adult entertainment business license, <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Code" data-path="|15">City Code Article 15</cite>, §1-16 requires that the applicant wait at least 9 months before reapplying.
D.
License Renewal.
(1)
An adult entertainment business license expires annually on June 30.
(2)
The fee for an adult entertainment annual license is $1,000, and:
(a)
Is payable on or before May 31 of each year;
(b)
The initial fee for less than a full year shall be prorated quarterly;
(c)
A licensee who fails to file a renewal application before or on May 31 is subject to a $50 fine for each business day a renewal application fee is late; and
(d)
A total late adult entertainment business license renewal fee may not exceed $1,500.
(3)
An applicant shall submit an application for a license renewal on the form required by the Board found on the Liquor Board website under the “Renewal” section.
(4)
The Board shall accept an application that is:
(a)
Complete and legible; and
(b)
Completed by the applicant or under the applicant’s personal supervision.
(5)
The Board may approve the application upon completion of the renewal application and payment of the renewal fee except as provided in <cite data-path="17.05.01.04|E.|(2)">§E(2) of this regulation</cite>.
E.
Protest and hearing.
(1)
The Board shall hold a public hearing on the transfer application if the Board receives 10 or more valid written protests within the 15-day posting period.
(2)
The Board shall hold a public hearing on the license renewal application if it receives 10 or more valid written protests between May 1 and May 31 of the license year.
(3)
Parties in interest and citizens shall be given an opportunity to be heard.
(4)
A party submitting a protest electronically shall:
(a)
Submit it to the email address provided at the Liquor Board website under "Hearing Schedules";
(b)
State clearly in the subject line that the submission is a “Protest of Application” or “Protest of Renewal”; and
(c)
Include the address of the establishment that is the subject of the protest.
(5)
A party may also submit a protest via first class mail or hand delivery to the Board’s office.