Baltimore City Liquor Board Attorneys

Lawyers Helping Apply for Liquor Licenses in Baltimore, MD

The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) is responsible for regulating and controlling the number of establishments that are permitted to sell alcohol in Baltimore City. The BLLC administers the liquor license process based on state law, and it promulgates its own rules and regulations accordingly.

At Silverman Thompson, Joseph R. Woolman leads our Baltimore City Liquor Board practice. Our firm provides representation for clients in the bar, restaurant, and hospitality industries as they navigate the complex administrative process required to secure liquor licenses in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Mr. Woolman has over 15 years of experience working closely with the leadership and staff at the BLLC, as well as state and local elected officials regarding a variety of issues related to liquor licenses.

Liquor Licenses in Baltimore

There are various types of liquor licenses that can be obtained in Baltimore City, depending on the purpose for which the license will be used. The licenses consist of (1) Beer and Wine, or (2) Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Each category includes different classes depending on the type of establishment, the purpose of the license, how the liquor will be sold, and the days and times the liquor will be sold. Mr. Woolman and his colleagues at Silverman Thompson help clients prepare the documents that are required under the law to obtain a license.

Our team appears before and consults with the BLLC regularly to represent our clients' interests in a variety of liquor license matters, including, but not limited to, the transfer, issuance, and renewal of liquor licenses, as well as the occasional hardship and/or violation proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baltimore City Liquor Board Licenses

Are There Different Liquor Licenses in Baltimore City?

Yes, there are various types of liquor licenses that can be obtained in Baltimore City, depending on the purpose for which the license will be used. The licenses consist of (1) Beer and Wine, or (2) Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Each category includes different classes depending on the type of establishment, the purpose of the license, how the liquor will be sold, and the days and times the liquor will be sold.

How Do You Apply for a Baltimore City Liquor License?

To apply for a Baltimore City liquor license, an application must be filed with the BLLC for license transfer, expansion, renewal, or a new restaurant license if certain parameters are met. The application packet consists of various documents and forms that must be filed with the BLLC, and strict compliance with the application packet and required documents is mandatory. Specifically, there is an application checklist that lists all the necessary documents that must be submitted. Even with the checklist in hand, this is still a complicated process, and attention to detail is important. These various forms and documents include financial forms, floor plan diagrams, a background check confirmation report, corporate papers, an agreement of sale, etc. An application fee must accompany the application packet at the time the application is submitted.

What Happens After an Application for a Baltimore Liquor License Is Submitted?

After the application and all required supplemental documents/forms have been submitted to the BLLC, a hearing will be scheduled and held. Hearings are open to the public, and they generally take place at City Hall.

Can a Baltimore Liquor License Issuance, Transfer, or Renewal Be Protested?

Yes. During a liquor license hearing, citizens are permitted to protest any issuance of a new license, a transfer of location, or a transfer of ownership of an establishment in various ways. Under Maryland's Alcoholic Beverages & Cannabis Article 12-1508, if objections to a liquor license are made by more than 50 percent of real estate property owners and certain types of tenants, the application must be denied by the Board. Under Alcoholic Beverages & Cannabis Article 4-406, an objection involving specific complaints by at least 10 property owners or residents in the immediate area near a licensed business will prevent the BLLC from renewing the license until it holds a public hearing. The Board may also take steps on its own to address specific complaints and protest the renewal of a license.

What Happens After the Issuance, Transfer, or Renewal of a Baltimore Liquor License?

Even after the successful completion of the liquor license application and hearing process, there are additional steps that must be taken to finalize the issuance, transfer, and/or renewal of a liquor license. The BLLC provides a Hearing Receipt, which sets forth additional steps and required documents to be submitted before the formal issuance of the liquor license, including but not limited to payment of outstanding taxes, obtaining a trader's license, obtaining a certificate of occupancy, taking an alcohol awareness course, and obtaining a sales and use tax license. Navigating the Baltimore City liquor license application and hearing process can be a difficult and stressful process. If you are currently applying or thinking of applying for a new liquor license or the transfer/renewal of an existing liquor license, we encourage you to speak to our experienced attorneys who can assist with navigating this process from start to finish.

Contact Our Baltimore, Maryland Liquor License Lawyers

If you have questions about issues related to liquor licenses in Baltimore County, or if you need to address other related matters that may affect a hospitality, bar, or restaurant business, contact our Baltimore liquor license application attorneys at 410-385-2225 and set up a consultation.