# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 27. Queen Anne's County

### Subtitle 14. Applications for Licenses

#### Section 27-1401

(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) Sec. 4-102 ("Applications to be filed with local licensing board");

  (2) Sec. 4-106 ("Payment of notice expenses");

  (3) Sec. 4-108 ("Application form required by Comptroller");

  (4) Sec. 4-111 ("Payment of license fees");

  (5) Sec. 4-112 ("Disposition of license fees"); and

  (6) Sec. 4-114 ("Fees for licenses issued for less than 1 year").

(b) The following sections of Title 4, Subtitle 1 ("Applications for Local Licenses") of Division I of this article do not apply in the county:

  (1) Sec. 4-107 ("Criminal history records check");

  (2) Sec. 4-110 ("Required information on application -- Petition of support"); and

  (3) Sec. 4-113 ("Refund of license fees"), which is superseded by Sec. 27-1406 of this subtitle.

(c) The following sections of Title 4, Subtitle 1 ("Applications for Local Licenses") of Division I of this article apply in the county:

  (1) Sec. 4-103 ("Application on behalf of partnership"), subject to Sec. 27-1402 of this subtitle;

  (2) Sec. 4-104 ("Application on behalf of corporation or club"), subject to Sec. 27-1403 of this subtitle;

  (3) Sec. 4-105 ("Application on behalf of limited liability company"), subject to Sec. 27-1403 of this subtitle; and

  (4) Sec. 4-109 ("Required information on application -- In general"), subject to Sec.Sec. 27-1402 and 27-1404 of this subtitle.

#### Section 27-1402

(a) At the time an application for an alcoholic beverages license is filed, at least one of the applicants shall be a resident of the State.

(b) The license remains valid only for as long as at least one of the applicants remains a resident of the State.

#### Section 27-1403

(a)

  (1) An individual on behalf of a corporation or limited liability company may not be issued a Class A beer, wine, and liquor license unless the corporation or limited liability company is:

    (i) a Maryland entity in good standing; or

    (ii) a foreign entity registered to do business in the State.

  (2) A Class A beer, wine, and liquor license may not be issued for a corporation if more than one class of common stock is authorized by the corporate charter.

(b)

  (1) This subsection does not apply to:

    (i) a Class A beer, wine, and liquor license; or

    (ii) any other license issued before May 1, 1976.

  (2) An applicant for a license on behalf of a corporation or limited liability company is not required to be a resident of the county.

  (3) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each applicant applying for a license for a corporation or limited liability company shall own at least 15% of the total outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation or at least a 15% interest in the limited liability company, entitling the applicant to vote at a meeting of stockholders or members.

  (4) A license may not be issued for a corporation if more than one class of common stock is authorized by the corporate charter.

  (5) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each year, an applicant, the corporation, or the limited liability company shall submit to the Board a sworn statement that contains:

    (i) the name and address of each stockholder of the corporation and the number of shares the stockholder owns and is entitled to vote at a stockholder meeting; or

    (ii) the name and address of each member of the limited liability company and the amount of interest the member owns and is entitled to vote at a meeting of members.

  (6) The Board may require an applicant to submit other information regarding the background and prior activities of the applicant.

(c)

  (1) Subsection (b)(3) and (5) of this section does not apply to:

    (i) a Class B beer, wine, and liquor (on-sale) license for use in a conference center; or

    (ii) any alcoholic beverages license issued within the municipal limits of any incorporated town.

  (2)

    (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, in addition to the exemptions in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Board may exempt up to four other licenses from subsection (b)(3) and (5) of this section.

    (ii) The Board may not grant an exemption for licensed premises located within the Kent Narrows Commercial Management and Waterfront Improvement District.

#### Section 27-1404

(a) In this section, "controlling interest" means the ownership or control of sufficient shares or interest in a business to allow for an exercise of control over that business.

(b) An applicant for a license shall:

  (1) include a statement in the application that the applicant is at least 21 years old; and

  (2) submit an affidavit verifying the application.

(c)

  (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), (13), and (16) of this article refers to an applicant who is the owner of a controlling interest in a place of business for which a license has been applied for or issued.

#### Section 27-1405

(a)

  (1) All licenses shall be issued for 6 or 12 months.

  (2) The term of a 6-month license begins on November 1.

  (3) The term of a 12-month license begins on May 1.

(b) The fee for a 6-month license is half of the annual fee.

#### Section 27-1406

In cases of hardship, the Board may refund a portion of the fee for a license it has issued.

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