Below are some of the most frequently asked questions from our licensees to our Inspectors.
A One-Day license allows non-profit organizations, clubs, associations, societies and groups of people to hold one-time events where alcoholic beverages are served and/or consumed. The license is of Class C, “Special One-Day”. The Type may be “Beer & Wine” or “Beer, Wine & Liquor”. The requirements and fees are generally much smaller for a One-Day license than for other (permanent) types. Also, no public hearing is required.
1) For any event where alcoholic beverages are served/consumed, held by a bona fide non-profit organization, where participants are charged money in any way. (For-profit organizations cannot obtain a One-Day license.)
Outdoor Alcohol Service Call (410) 222-1148 for instructions
Requirements to apply:
- Cover Letter
- New Application
- Special Affidavit
- Outdoor Application
- Survey
- Floor Plan
- Letter from Landlord giving permission
- A Hearing will be required
The Board consists of a Chairman and two Commissioners, all three of whom are appointed by the Governor every two years. Not more than two of the three Board members may be from the same political party. By custom, the senior state Senator recommends the Board Chairman to the Governor. New appointments are effective on May 1 of odd years (for example, May 1, 2009.) The following are hired by the Board: an attorney, 3 staff personnel who work full time at the Liquor Board offices,1 chief inspector, 1 deputy chief inspector, and 16 inspectors. Inspectors, working part-time, investigate complaints and violations, inspect establishments, and “have all the powers of a peace officer or a constable or sheriff of the State of Maryland.”
Annotated Code of Maryland, Alcoholic Beverages I, Titles 1-12, directs that each county, plus the cities of Baltimore and Annapolis, will establish and maintain a “Board of License Commissioners” to regulate and control the retail sale of alcohol within their respective jurisdictions. Annotated Code of Maryland, Alcoholic Beverages I, Titles 1-12, specifies how Boards are appointed and constituted, their jurisdictions and powers, ethics rules, and generally how they will operate.
Yes. A “Board Approved Manager” may be an establishment manager or an employee. It’s anyone who you trust to be in charge of the alcohol at any given time. There must be someone who is alcohol awareness trained and who is named on the Liquor Board Management Agreement on the premises at all times so that the County and State know that the alcohol on the premises is always being properly monitored. Just because someone is a “manager” of the establishment does not mean they are a “Board Approved Manager” per Board requirements.
Alcohol Awareness Certification is available through various providers across Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland.
To meet local and state requirements, your certification must be from an accredited provider approved by the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC). Certificates from unapproved or out-of-state programs may not be accepted.
For a comprehensive list of state-approved certifications and authorized instructors, please visit the official ATCC license and permit database.
You do. Alcohol is not permitted to be taken outdoors for any reason unless the licensee has an Outdoor Alcohol Service approval letter from the Board. The application may be found on the Liquor Board website and, if the licensed establishment qualifies, costs $100 annually.
Yes. You need what’s called a “Special Event” approval. The application may be found on the Liquor Board website. You will be asked basic information regarding the composition of the event, security, hours, etc. The application must be submitted at least ten (10) days prior to your event.
All signage and any other branding or promotions must match the trade name on the Liquor License and all other required County and State documents, as applicable. This includes consistent use of the trade name in any and all media or social media promotions (e.g. advertisements, social media, etc.). Yes, changing the trade name does require permission from the Board which may be obtained by sending the Board a written request. Further information regarding required documentation may be obtained by calling the Board directly. The administrative fee to change a trade name is $200.
*Please contact the Board for further instructions and required documents.
In addition, changing the trade name will require an additional application from Department of Inspections and Permits to complete the Non-Residential Tenant Improvement Permit which can be found here.
While changes may be submitted year round, the Board cannot process any license request changes during the license renewal period in the months of March and April. Any request received during March and April will begin to be processed in May. Requests are processed in the order received and turnaround time depends on the nature of the request.
Due to the requirements of their duties, Inspectors must often perform their work on weeknights or weekends. And, while not always possible, our Inspectors do especially try to avoid the busiest times when performing annual inspections. That said, inspection work does occasionally involve observing and possibly interacting with a business during its busiest hours, regardless of time of day or day of the week. It’s simply the nature of the work.
It must mean that you have not provided the Board with all of the required paperwork to obtain your license. You have one year from the date of the hearing to do so. After that one-year period, the license will expire and you will have to re-apply (an extension for good cause may be requested in writing). Licenses may only be picked up in person and the Board may require the licensee pick up the licensee personally.
Yes. Any alterations to the premises must be approved by the board in advance. Further, any such alterations must have all required County permits in place prior to the commencement of work. Failure to obtain permission from the Board or failure to have all proper required permits prior to starting work will result in a violation(s).
D Class “Tavern” licenses require licensees to operate a drink service bar any time the establishment is open to the public as set forth in the Board of License Commissioners’ Rules and Regulations.
Only Class A, Class B, and Class D (off-sale) licensees may take orders to deliver alcohol subject to the following: (i) You have applied for and received written approval from the Board (the application may be found under “Forms and Publications” on the Liquor Board website; (ii) only alcohol awareness trained persons who are 21 years or older and bona fide employee as of now, no licensee may utilize any third party service (e.g. Uber Eats, Grub Hub, Door Dash) in any capacity for the fulfillment of an alcohol order/delivery.