# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 31. Washington County

### Subtitle 14. Applications for Licenses

#### Section 31-1401

(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. 4-103 ("Application on behalf of partnership");

  (3) Sec. 4-104 ("Application on behalf of corporation or club");

  (4) Sec. 4-105 ("Application on behalf of limited liability company");

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

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

  (7) Sec. 4-109 ("Required information on application -- In general");

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

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

  (10) Sec. 4-113 ("Refund of license fees"); and

  (11) 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 apply in the county:

  (1) Sec. 4-107 ("Criminal history records check"), subject to Sec.Sec. 31-1403 through 31-1408 of this subtitle; and

  (2) Sec. 4-110 ("Required information on application -- Petition of support"), subject to Sec. 31-1402 of this subtitle.

#### Section 31-1402

With the license application, the applicant shall submit a petition of support that:

(1) is signed by at least three residents who are owners of real property and registered voters in the county; and

(2) declares that the applicant:

  (i) is personally known to them; and

  (ii) is a resident of the county at the time the applicant presents them with the application.

#### Section 31-1403

The Board shall obtain criminal history record information of each applicant for a license from the Central Repository.

#### Section 31-1404

The Board may set and charge a fee to cover the cost of obtaining the applicant's fingerprints and the results of the State and national criminal history records check.

#### Section 31-1405

The Board shall keep all criminal history record information in a sealed envelope available only to members, inspectors, administrators, and designees of the Board. 

#### Section 31-1406

The Board shall destroy the criminal history record information on completion of the application process.

#### Section 31-1407

The hearing for a new applicant and the issuance of a license may not be delayed due to the failure of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to provide the requested criminal history records check by the date of the scheduled hearing.

#### Section 31-1408

The Board shall adopt regulations to preserve the confidentiality of the information under and to carry out this subtitle.

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