# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 23. Howard County

### Subtitle 15. Issuance or Denial of Licenses

#### Section 23-1501

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

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

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

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

  (5) Sec. 4-211 ("License forms; effective date; expiration"); and

  (6) Sec. 4-213 ("Replacement licenses").

(b)

  (1) Section 4-208 ("Notice of license application required") of Division I of this article does not apply in the county and is superseded by Sec. 23-1505 of this subtitle.

  (2) Section 4-214 ("Waiting periods after denial of license applications") of Division I of this article does not apply in the county and is superseded by Sec. 23-1507 of this subtitle.

(c) 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. 4-202 ("Authority of local licensing boards"), subject to Sec. 23-1502 of this subtitle;

  (2) Sec. 4-203 ("Prohibition against issuing multiple licenses to individual or for use of entity"), subject to Sec. 23-1504 of this subtitle;

  (3) Sec. 4-204 ("Prohibition against issuing multiple licenses for same premises"), subject to Subtitle 13, Part III and Subtitle 16, Part II of this title;

  (4) Sec. 4-210 ("Approval or denial of license application"), subject to Sec. 23-1509 of this subtitle; and

  (5) Sec. 4-212 ("License not property"), in addition to Sec. 23-1506 of this subtitle.

#### Section 23-1502

The Board may not issue a Class A or Class D beer license, beer and light wine license, or beer, wine, and liquor license to a person that holds an out-of-state alcoholic beverages license.

#### Section 23-1503

In determining whether to approve an application for any new Class A license, the Hearing Board shall include in its written decision findings as to:

(1) each of the factors set forth under Sec. 4-210(a) of this article; and

(2) the consideration of the avoidance of the overconcentration of licenses in neighborhoods, particularly neighborhoods of poverty, as required under Sec. 23-1509 of this subtitle.

#### Section 23-1504

Unless otherwise expressly authorized by this article, a person may not have an interest in more than one license issued by the Board, regardless of whether that interest is held or controlled by direct or indirect ownership, stock ownership, interlocking directors or interlocking stock ownership, or any other direct or indirect manner.

#### Section 23-1505

(a) The applicant shall post a hearing notice for at least 15 days before the hearing on an application for:

  (1) a new license;

  (2) a change in the class of a license;

  (3) an extension of the licensed premises;

  (4) except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a change of resident agent;

  (5) a transfer of a license; or

  (6) a transfer of location.

(b)

  (1) The applicant shall:

    (i) post the hearing notice required in subsection (a) of this section at the location described in the application;

    (ii) take a photograph of the hearing notice posted in accordance with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph; and

    (iii) send the photograph of the hearing notice to the Board before the hearing on the application.

  (2) The hearing notice required in subsection (a) of this section shall include:

    (i) the name of the applicant;

    (ii) the type of license for which the application is made;

    (iii) the location described in the application; and

    (iv) the date, time, and place set by the Board for a hearing on the application.

(c)

  (1) The Board shall post a hearing notice on the Board's website for at least 15 days before the hearing on an application.

  (2) The hearing notice required in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:

    (i) the name of the applicant;

    (ii) the type of license for which the application is made;

    (iii) the location described in the application; and

    (iv) the date, time, and place set by the Board for a hearing on the application.

(d)

  (1) The Board shall provide the hearing notice required in subsection (c) of this section to the Howard County Office of Public Information at least 15 days before the hearing on an application.

  (2) The Howard County Office of Public Information shall post the hearing notice in the same manner as other public meeting notices.

(e)

  (1) A hearing on an application for a change of resident agent is not required if the applicant:

    (i) is seeking to be a resident agent for the same license for which the applicant is a license holder; and

    (ii) has previously appeared and been approved at a nonviolation hearing for the same license before the Board of License Commissioners or the Appointed Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board.

  (2) The Board may hold a hearing under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the Board determines there is good cause for the hearing.

#### Section 23-1506

A license is not:

(1) subject to a writ of execution by a judgment creditor of a license holder; or

(2) subject to a distraint for rent.

#### Section 23-1507

(a) If a license application is denied, another license application from the same applicant or for the same location may not be considered for 1 year after the denial.

(b) If a subsequent license application by the same applicant or for the same location is denied within a 2-year period after the first denial, another application may not be considered from that applicant or for that location until the 2-year period expires.

#### Section 23-1508

(a) The Board may give tentative approval to issuing a license for an establishment that is not completed, based on the plans and specifications that accompany the application.

(b) The Board may give final approval of a license application under this section on completion of the establishment in accordance with the plans and specifications.

#### Section 23-1509

Before the Board or the Hearing Board issues a license, the Board or the Hearing Board shall give particular consideration to the avoidance of the overconcentration of licenses in neighborhoods, particularly neighborhoods of poverty.

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