Subject to Division II of this article, this subtitle applies statewide.

Subject to §§ 4–406 and 4–407 of this subtitle, a holder of an expiring license is entitled to an annual license renewal: on the approval of the license renewal application by the local licensing board; on payment of the annual license fee; and without filing or providing more information unless specifically requested by the local licensing board. Except as provided in §§ 4–407(a) and 4–408(c) of this subtitle, a local licensing board shall consider an application for license renewal in the same manner as for an original application.

To renew a license other than a temporary license, the license holder annually shall file a written application, under oath, with the local licensing board.

An application to renew an annual license shall be filed between March 2 and April 1, inclusive.

To be approved, a license renewal application shall: state whether the facts in the original application have changed and, if so, the manner in which the facts have changed; and be accompanied by a statement signed by the owner of the licensed premises consenting to: renewal of the license; and search and seizure in the same manner as for an original application. A local licensing board may not require the consent statement under subsection (a)(2) of this section for a retail dealer applying for renewal if: the owner signed a comparable consent statement in connection with an original or previous license renewal application; the consent statement under item (1) of this subsection is in effect for the term of the owner’s lease with the applicant; and the lease does not expire during the term of the license renewal.

A protest against a license renewal may be made by: at least 10 signatories who are: residents, commercial tenants who are not holders of or applicants for a license, or real estate owners; and located in the immediate vicinity of the licensed premises; or the local licensing board on its own initiative. If a protest against renewing a license is filed at least 30 days before the license expires, the local licensing board may not approve the renewal without holding a hearing. The local licensing board shall hear and determine the protest in the same manner as it hears and determines an original application.

A local licensing board: may not renew a license if the board determines that the license holder is not qualified to obtain a license renewal; but shall issue to the license holder by way of renewal the class or type of license for which the board determines the license holder is qualified. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a local licensing board shall deny a license renewal application if during the license year the license holder was convicted of a State or federal offense that, in the judgment of the board, renders the license holder unfit or unqualified to obtain a renewed license. A local licensing board: shall hold a public hearing before renewing a license under the circumstances described in paragraph (1) of this subsection; and may inquire into all relevant facts and circumstances concerning the offense at the hearing.

A local licensing board may issue renewed licenses for the following license year between April 15 and May 1, inclusive. All renewed licenses shall be dated May 1. If an expiring license is subject to an order of restriction or suspension, the local licensing board shall issue the corresponding license renewal subject to the same order.

A person who holds multiple licenses may renew the licenses.

Notwithstanding § 4–205 of this title, a chain store, supermarket, or discount house that holds a Class A, Class B, or Class D beer license, beer and wine license, or beer, wine, and liquor license may renew the license.