# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 23. Howard County

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

#### Section 23-1701

(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.?4-305?("Filing fees and endorsement").

(b) Section 4-306 ("Substitution of names of officers on license") of Division I of this article does not apply in the county and is superseded by Sec. 23-1705 of this subtitle.

(c) Section 4-302 ("Transfer of place of business; transfer of license and inventory") of Division I of this article applies in the county, subject to Sec. 23-1702 of this subtitle.

#### Section 23-1702

The Board may not allow the transfer of a license unless all State and local personal property taxes owed by the transferor are paid.

#### Section 23-1703

(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, at least one of the applicants for the transfer of a 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.

#### Section 23-1704

(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 on the premises described in the application.

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

  (1) be posted by the inspector with the cooperation of the applicant; and

  (2) remain posted for at least 15 days before the hearing.

#### Section 23-1705

(a)

  (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, for a license issued for the use of a corporation or club, the license holder may substitute on the license the name of a different officer for the name of any officer who:

    (i) has died;

    (ii) has retired; or

    (iii) no longer holds an office in the corporation or club.

  (2) A substitute officer shall be an individual approved by the Board who meets all the requirements applicable to the original officer.

(b) The license holder shall file an affidavit with the Board that contains:

  (1) the substitution of the officer; and

  (2) an explanation for the substitution.

(c) On receipt of the affidavit and payment of a $5 fee, the Board shall:

  (1) amend its records; and

  (2) issue a corrected license.

#### Section 23-1706

The Board may not transfer an off-sale 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.

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