# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 17. Cecil County

### Subtitle 15. Issuance or Denial of Licenses

#### Section 17-1501

(a) The following sections of Title 4, Subtitle 2 ("Issuance or Denial of Local Licenses") of Division I of this article apply in the county without exception or variation:

  (1) Sec.?4-202?("Authority of local licensing boards");

  (2) Sec.?4-205?("Chain store, supermarket, or discount house");

  (3) Sec.?4-206?("Limitations on retail sales floor space");

  (4) Sec.?4-207?("Licenses issued to minors");

  (5) Sec.?4-208?("Notice of license application required");

  (6) Sec.?4-209?("Hearing");

  (7) Sec.?4-211?("License forms; effective date; expiration");

  (8) Sec.?4-212?("License not property");

  (9) Sec.?4-213?("Replacement licenses"); and

  (10) Sec.?4-214?("Waiting periods after denial of license applications").

(b) The following sections of Title 4, Subtitle 2 ("Issuance or Denial of Local Licenses") of Division I of this article apply in the county:

  (1) Sec.?4-203?("Prohibition against issuing multiple licenses to individual or for use of entity"), subject to Sec. 17-1503 of this subtitle and Subtitle 13, Part III of this title;

  (2) Sec.?4-204?("Prohibition against issuing multiple licenses for same premises"), subject to Sec. 17-1503 of this subtitle; and

  (3) Sec.?4-210?("Approval or denial of license application"), in addition to Sec. 17-1504 of this subtitle.

#### Section 17-1502

(a) A license holder may apply to the Board to exchange the holder's current license for a license of any other class or type.

(b) The Board shall give a license holder, including a holder of a beer or beer and wine license, who applies for a license exchange under this section the same consideration that the Board gives to any other applicant for a license, including a beer, wine, and liquor license.

(c) Before deciding whether to approve an application for a license exchange, the Board shall:

  (1) consider:

    (i) the general reputation and character of the applicant;

    (ii) the manner in which the applicant conducts and operates the business being licensed; and

    (iii) the public necessity for the license for which the application is made; and

  (2) require:

    (i) an inspection of the premises for which the application is made; and

    (ii) the premises to comply with all applicable regulations of the Board.

(d)

  (1) There is a $1,000 fee to exchange:

    (i) any class of beer license for any other class of beer license;

    (ii) any class of beer and wine license for any other class of beer and wine license; or

    (iii) any class of beer, wine, and liquor license for any other class of beer, wine, and liquor license.

  (2) There is a $2,000 fee to exchange:

    (i) any class of beer license or beer and wine license for the same class of beer, wine, and liquor license; or

    (ii) any class of beer license for any other class of beer and wine license.

  (3) There is a $3,000 fee to exchange any class of beer license or beer and wine license for any other class of beer, wine, and liquor license.

  (4) The exchange fees required under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection are in addition to the regular annual license fees.

#### Section 17-1503

Multiple licenses may be issued for the same premises or to an individual for the use of that individual, a partnership, a corporation, an unincorporated association, or a limited liability company if:

(1) the licenses are Class D beer or Class D beer and wine licenses; and

(2) each premises is a bowling establishment that has at least 30 lanes with automatic pinsetters.

#### Section 17-1504

(a) The fees for the issuance of a new license are:

  (1) $1,000 for any class of beer license;

  (2) $2,000 for any class of beer and wine license; and

  (3) $3,000 for any class of beer, wine, and liquor license.

(b) The fees required under subsection (a) of this section are in addition to the regular annual fee required under this title.

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Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)