Section 32-901 - Class A beer, wine, and liquor license(a) There is a Class A beer, wine, and liquor license.(b)(1) A license may be issued only to an establishment that has been: (i) issued a Class B license; and(ii) continually operating as a restaurant in the county since at least 3 months before the application for the license.(2) The Board may not issue a license to an establishment that is a corporation or limited liability company unless the license applicant owns 75% of the total issued capital stock of the corporation or the limited liability company.(3) The Board may issue not more than three licenses in the county.(c)(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the license authorizes the license holder to sell beer, wine, and liquor, at retail at the place described in the application, for off-premises consumption.(2) The place described in the application: (i) may not exceed 20% of the area normally used in the operation of the restaurant business; and(ii) shall be contiguous to and adjoin the restaurant establishment.(d) The license may not be issued for a drugstore unless the applicant:(1) has been doing business at the location applied for in the license for at least 1 year before the date of the application for the license;(2) is the assignee of a business established for at least 1 year before the date of the application for the license at the location applied for; or(3) has been engaged in the retail drug business for at least 3 years.(e)(1) The license holder shall purchase liquor for retail sale from a county dispensary or from a wholesaler.(2) a dispensary may not charge the license holder more than 15% above the wholesale operating cost to the dispensary.(f) The annual license fee is $4,400 and is in addition to the fee paid for the Class B license.Md. Code art. Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis, § 32-901Md. Code, Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis § 32-901
Amended by 2024 Md. Laws, Ch. 964,Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2024.Added by 2016 Md. Laws, Ch. 41, Sec. 2, eff. 7/1/2016.