Title 23. Howard County — Subtitle 14. Applications for Licenses
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. § 23-1401 (2026)
Title 23. Howard County
Subtitle 14. Applications for Licenses
§ 23–1401LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The following sections of Title 4, Subtitle 1 (“Applications for Local Licenses”) of Division I of this article apply in the county without exception or variation:
(1)
§ 4–102 (“Applications to be filed with local licensing board”);
(2)
§ 4–106 (“Payment of notice expenses”);
(3)
§ 4–108 (“Application form required by Comptroller”);
(4)
§ 4–111 (“Payment of license fees”);
(5)
§ 4–112 (“Disposition of license fees”);
(6)
§ 4–113 (“Refund of license fees”); and
(7)
§ 4–114 (“Fees for licenses issued for less than 1 year”).
(b)
Section 4–110 (“Required information on application — Petition for support”) of Division I of this article does not apply in the county.
(c)
The following sections of Title 4, Subtitle 1 (“Applications for Local Licenses”) of Division I of this article apply in the county:
(1)
§ 4–103 (“Application on behalf of partnership”), subject to § 23–1403.1 of this subtitle;
(2)
§ 4–104 (“Application on behalf of corporation or club”), subject to § 23–1404 of this subtitle;
(3)
§ 4–105 (“Application on behalf of limited liability company”), subject to § 23–1404 of this subtitle;
(4)
§ 4–107 (“Criminal history records check”), subject to §§ 23–1402, 23–1403, and 23–1408 of this subtitle; and
(5)
§ 4–109 (“Required information on application — In general”), subject to §§ 23–1403.1, 23–1404, and 23–1407 of this subtitle.
Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. § 23-1402 (2026)
Title 23. Howard County
Subtitle 14. Applications for Licenses
§ 23–1402LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Board shall obtain criminal history record information of each applicant for a license from the Central Repository.
(b)
The Board may obtain criminal history record information on license applicants and their agents from county police.
Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. § 23-1403 (2026)
Title 23. Howard County
Subtitle 14. Applications for Licenses
§ 23–1403LinkCopy Citation
The Board shall destroy the criminal history record information obtained under § 4–107 of this article or § 23–1805 of this title on completion of the application process.
Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. § 23-1403.1 (2026)
Title 23. Howard County
Subtitle 14. Applications for Licenses
§ 23–1403.1LinkCopy Citation
An individual who is a resident of the State meets the residency requirements under § 4–103 of this article.
Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. § 23-1404 (2026)
Title 23. Howard County
Subtitle 14. Applications for Licenses
§ 23–1404LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, at least one of the applicants for a new license for a corporation or limited liability company shall certify that as long as the applicant is the holder of the license, the applicant shall:
(1)
own at least 10% of the stock in the corporation or interest in the limited liability company; or
(2)
(i)
serve as the manager or supervisor of the corporation or limited liability company; and
(ii)
be physically present on a full–time basis at the licensed premises of the corporation or limited liability company to conduct the daily business involving transactions concerning alcoholic beverages sales.
(b)
Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, applicants for a license for a corporation or limited liability company shall submit:
(1)
an executed copy of the articles of incorporation or articles of organization; and
(2)
a schedule that states:
(i)
the name, address, and percentage of stock held by each stockholder holding at least 5% of the stock of a corporation; or
(ii)
the name, address, and percentage of interest held by each member holding at least 5% interest in a limited liability company.
(c)
(1)
(i)
The stock or interest requirements established under subsection (a) of this section do not apply to a corporation or limited liability company in which:
(1)
the stock of the corporation or interest in the limited liability company is authorized for sale by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; or
(2)
a majority of the stock of the corporation or interest in the limited liability company is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by one or more corporations or limited liability companies whose stock or interest is authorized for sale by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(ii)
A corporation or limited liability company provided for in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall maintain one applicant as a manager or supervisor physically present on a full–time basis at the licensed premises to conduct the daily business involving transactions concerning alcoholic beverages sales.
(2)
The schedule requirement established under subsection (b) of this section does not apply to:
(i)
a corporation whose stock is authorized for sale by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; or
(ii)
a limited liability company whose interest is authorized for sale by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(d)
(1)
The requirements under subsection (a) of this section do not apply to an application for or renewal of a Class C (continuing care retirement community) beer, wine, and liquor license by a nonprofit organization if the manager or supervisor of the continuing care retirement community:
(i)
is identified on the application;
(ii)
receives alcohol awareness training from an approved alcohol awareness training program; and
(iii)
is physically present at the continuing care retirement community on a full–time basis.
(2)
A continuing care retirement community license shall be issued to:
(i)
a manager or supervisor; and
(ii)
two officers, one of whom shall be a resident of the State at the time the application is filed.
(e)
An individual who is a resident of the State meets the residency requirements under §§ 4–104 and 4–105 of this article.
Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. § 23-1405 (2026)
Title 23. Howard County
Subtitle 14. Applications for Licenses
§ 23–1405LinkCopy Citation
(a)
An applicant for a license in the county shall include on the application:
(1)
a statement whether the applicant is a natural–born citizen or a naturalized citizen; or
(2)
if the applicant is not a natural–born citizen or a naturalized citizen, information or documentation required by the Board to show proof of immigration status.
(b)
The Board may obtain information from the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs to verify the citizenship or immigration status of the applicant.
Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. § 23-1407 (2026)
Title 23. Howard County
Subtitle 14. Applications for Licenses
§ 23–1407LinkCopy Citation
(a)
At least one of the applicants for a license shall be a resident of the State.
(b)
In the determination of the Board, each applicant shall:
(1)
be of good character; and
(2)
include the following information with the application:
(i)
a statement that the applicant is at least 18 years old; and
(ii)
a checklist and police consent form.
(c)
The Board may waive the residency requirement for an applicant if the applicant:
(1)
is the purchaser of a business already in operation; or
(2)
has owned the premises for which a license is sought for at least 2 years immediately preceding the filing of the application.
Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. § 23-1408 (2026)
Title 23. Howard County
Subtitle 14. Applications for Licenses
§ 23–1408LinkCopy Citation
The Board shall make criminal history record information in its possession available only to members, clerks, administrators, and inspectors of the Board and to members, clerks, administrators, and inspectors of the County Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board.