# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 25. Montgomery County

### Subtitle 15. Issuance or Denial of Licenses

#### Section 25-1501

(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. 4-210 ("Approval or denial of license application");

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

  (7) Sec. 4-212 ("License not property"); and

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

(b) Section 4-214 ("Waiting periods after denial of license applications") of Division I of this article does not apply in the county.

(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. 25-1502 of this subtitle;

  (2) Sec. 4-203 ("Prohibition against issuing multiple licenses to individual or for use of entity"), subject to Sec. 25-1503 of this subtitle and Subtitle 13, Part III and Subtitle 16, Part II of this title;

  (3) Sec. 4-204 ("Prohibition against issuing multiple licenses for same premises"), subject to Sec. 25-1503 of this subtitle and Subtitle 13, Part III of this title; and

  (4) Sec. 4-208 ("Notice of license application required"), subject to Sec. 25-1506 of this subtitle.

#### Section 25-1502

(a)

  (1) When acting on a license application, the Board shall issue a written decision that contains:

    (i) a detailed statement of the grounds and findings that support the decision; and

    (ii) the vote of each member of the Board on the decision.

  (2) The Board shall forward a copy of the written decision in a manner that the Board determines to the applicant and each person who requests a copy.

  (3) If the application is denied, the Board shall inform the applicant in writing of the procedures for judicial review.

(b) The Board shall make a decision on a license application based on the evidence of record.

(c) The Board shall adopt rules of procedure, subject to the approval of the County Council.

#### Section 25-1503

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)

  (i) the licenses are Class H beer and wine licenses; and

  (ii) each premises is a restaurant in a bowling establishment that has at least 30 lanes with automatic pinsetters; or

(2) the licenses are Class BD-BWL licenses.

#### Section 25-1504

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Board may issue a Class B beer, wine, and liquor license to a license holder for a different part of the same premises or building in which an establishment with a Class C beer, wine, and liquor license is located.

(b)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a license holder shall meet all requirements of the respective licenses.

  (2) The term "financial interest" as used in Sec. 4-109(a)(11) of this article does not apply to an applicant who is the owner of an interest in real property leased for another place of business where or for which a license has been applied for or issued.

#### Section 25-1505

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Board may issue an alcoholic beverages license that the Board previously issued for premises on which a lawful nonconforming use exists.

(b) The Board may not issue a license that is less restrictive than any license that the Board previously issued for the premises.

#### Section 25-1506

(a)

  (1) The Board may fulfill the notice requirement under Sec. 4-208 of this article by posting online a completed application at least 14 days before the hearing date.

  (2) In addition to the newspaper notice required under Sec. 4-208 of this article or the online notice required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Board shall post a suitable notice in a conspicuous place on the location described in the application for at least 30 days before the application hearing.

(b) A notice under this section shall state the class of license for which application is made and the date, time, and location of the application hearing.

---

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