# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 32. Wicomico County

### Subtitle 15. Issuance or Denial of Licenses

#### Section 32-1501

(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.?4-202?("Authority of local licensing boards");

  (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");

  (6) Sec.?4-213?("Replacement licenses"); and

  (7) Sec.?4-214?("Waiting periods after denial of license applications").

(b) 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.?4-203?("Prohibition against issuing multiple licenses to individual or for use of entity"), subject to Sec.Sec. 32-1502 and 32-1506 of this subtitle and Subtitle 13, Part III of this title;

  (2) Sec.?4-204?("Prohibition against issuing multiple licenses for same premises"), subject to Sec.Sec. 32-1502 and 32-1506 of this subtitle and Subtitle 13, Part III of this title;

  (3) Sec.?4-205?("Chain store, supermarket, or discount house"), subject to Sec. 32-1503 of this subtitle;

  (4) Sec.?4-208?("Notice of license application required"), subject to Sec. 32-1507 of this subtitle;

  (5) Sec.?4-210?("Approval or denial of license application"), subject to Sec. 32-1508 of this subtitle; and

  (6) Sec.?4-212?("License not property"), subject to Sec. 32-1509 of this subtitle.

#### Section 32-1502

The prohibitions against one person being issued more than one license under Sec. 4-203 of this article do not apply to:

(1) a Class 6 pub-brewery license issued under Sec. 2-208 of this article or a Class 7 micro-brewery license issued under Sec. 2-209 of this article; or

(2) a Class B beer, wine, and liquor license issued under Sec. 32-902 of this article if:

  (i) the resident applicant is a resident of the county at the time of application; and

  (ii) the minimum capital investment in the premises is at least $200,000 or the premises have a fair market value of at least $200,000.

#### Section 32-1503

Section 4-205 of this article does not apply to a license issued under:

(1) Sec. 2-208 or Sec. 2-209 (regarding pub-brewery and micro-brewery licenses) of this article; or

(2) Sec. 32-902 (regarding Class B beer, wine, and liquor licenses) of this title if:

  (i) the resident applicant is a resident of the county at the time of application; and

  (ii) the minimum capital investment in the premises is at least $200,000 or the premises have a fair market value of at least $200,000.

#### Section 32-1504

For purposes of this subtitle, a married couple is considered to be one person. 

#### Section 32-1505

(a) The Board may give tentative approval to issuing a license for an establishment that is not completed or that is to be remodeled or renovated, based on the building 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 construction, remodeling, or renovation in accordance with the plans and specifications.

#### Section 32-1506

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) the licenses are Class D beer or Class D beer and wine licenses; and

(2) each premises is a bowling establishment that has at least 30 lanes with automatic pinsetters.

#### Section 32-1507

(a) In addition to the newspaper notice required under Sec. 4-208 of this article, the Board shall post a suitable notice in a conspicuous place at the location described in an application for at least 10 days before the application hearing.

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

#### Section 32-1508

(a) The Board shall make a physical inspection of the location described in the application before issuing a license.

(b) Before the Board issues a license, the Board shall consider and determine as suitable:

  (1) the moral character and financial responsibility of the applicant;

  (2) the appropriateness of the location described in the application, taking into consideration the number of existing licenses; and

  (3) the general fitness of the applicant to engage in the business authorized by the license.

#### Section 32-1509

A license is not subject to:

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

(2) a distraint for rent.

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