# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 9. Allegany County

### Subtitle 15. Issuance or Denial of Licenses

#### Section 9-1501

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

  (5) Sec.?4-212?("License not property");

  (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 do not apply in the county:

  (1) Sec.?4-208?("Notice of license application required") and is superseded by Sec. 9-1504 of this subtitle; and

  (2) Sec.?4-210?("Approval or denial of license application") and is superseded by Sec.?9-1506 of this subtitle.

(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. 9-1502 of this subtitle;

  (2) Sec.?4-203?("Prohibition against issuing multiple licenses to individual or for use of entity"), subject to Sec. 9-1503 of this subtitle and Subtitle 13, Part III of this title;

  (3) Sec.?4-204?("Prohibition against issuing multiple licenses for same premises"), subject to Sec. 9-1503 of this subtitle; and

  (4) Sec.?4-209?("Hearing"), in addition to Sec. 9-1505 of this subtitle.

#### Section 9-1502

The Board may not issue a Class A or Class D beer license, beer and light wine license, or beer, wine, and liquor license to a person that holds an out-of-state alcoholic beverages license.

#### Section 9-1503

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

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

#### Section 9-1504

(a)

  (1) The Board shall publish a notice of the license application once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the municipality nearest to the location described in the application, as determined by the applicant.

  (2) The notice shall state:

    (i) the residence of the applicant; and

    (ii) the location described in the application and the owner of the location.

  (3) The first publication under this subsection shall be at least 15 days before the application hearing.

(b)

  (1) 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 the application for at least 10 days before the application hearing.

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

#### Section 9-1505

In a hearing on an application or protest, the general reputation of the following is admissible:

(1) the applicant or license holder;

(2) the location described in the application; and

(3) the persons who congregate at the location described in the application.

#### Section 9-1506

(a) The Board may deny a license application if it decides that:

  (1) the applicant is unfit to be issued the license; or

  (2) the location described in the application is not a proper one with reference to ensuring the public peace, general welfare, or character of the neighborhood.

(b) Due regard shall be given to the number of licenses issued for a neighborhood.

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