# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 22. Harford County

### Subtitle 17. Transfer of Licenses; Substitution of Names on License

#### Section 22-1701

(a) The following sections of Title 4, Subtitle 3 ("Transfer of Local Licenses; Substitution of Names on License") of Division I of this article apply in the county without exception or variation:

  (1) Sec. 4-303 ("Chain store, supermarket, or discount house");

  (2) Sec. 4-304 ("Compliance with Bulk Transfers Act required"); and

  (3) Sec. 4-306 ("Substitution of names of officers on license").

(b) The following sections of Title 4, Subtitle 3 ("Transfer of Local Licenses; Substitution of Names on License") of Division I of this article apply in the county:

  (1) Sec. 4-302 ("Transfer of place of business; transfer of license and inventory"), subject to Sec.Sec. 22-1703 and 22-1704 of this subtitle; and

  (2) Sec. 4-305 ("Filing fees and endorsement"), subject to Sec. 22-1705 of this subtitle.

#### Section 22-1702

(a) On receipt of an application for a transfer of a license, the Board shall:

  (1) schedule a public hearing; and

  (2) post a notice of the hearing in a conspicuous place on the exterior of the premises described in the application.

(b) The notice required under subsection (a) of this section shall:

  (1) be on a sign measuring not less than 12 by 18 inches;

  (2) specify the class of license subject to the application, name of the applicant, and time, date, and place of the hearing; and

  (3) remain posted for at least 20 days before the hearing.

#### Section 22-1703

(a) The Board shall transfer a license that is issued for use in a business if:

  (1) the business is sold to a different owner; and

  (2) the new owner qualifies as a license holder.

(b)

  (1) This subsection applies to the resident applicant of a licensed establishment for which a license was transferred after July 1, 1984, on behalf of a corporation, an unincorporated entity, or a limited liability company.

  (2) The resident applicant:

    (i)

      (1) if the transferred license is a Class A beer and wine license or a Class A-1 or Class A-2 beer, wine, and liquor license, shall own at least 25% of the total corporation, unincorporated entity, or limited liability company;

      (2) if the transferred license is any type of license other than one specified in item 1 or 3 of this item, shall own at least 10% of the total business; or

      (3) for a Class C-1, Class C-2, or Class C-3 license, may own any amount or no amount of the total corporation, unincorporated entity, or limited liability company;

    (ii) shall serve as manager or supervisor; and

    (iii) shall be physically present on the premises a substantial amount of time on a daily basis.

#### Section 22-1704

The Board may not transfer the location or ownership of:

(1) a license for use in a business that is intended to be operated as a drive-through purchase facility where alcoholic beverages are to be sold at retail and dispensed through a window or door to a purchaser in or on a motor vehicle for off-premises consumption; or

(2) an off-sale license with the privilege of operating the premises as a drive-through purchase facility.

#### Section 22-1705

(a) The Board may charge a fee for the transfer of a license that may not exceed the administration cost for processing the transfer.

(b) If a license is transferred before its expiration date, the Board shall allow the transferee to operate under the license until the license expiration date without additional charge.

(c) If a license is transferred on its expiration date, the charge for the transfer is the same as the fee for the issuance of the license.

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