Maryland State Statutes - Maryland Attorney Directory

(a) (1) Except as provided in subsection (n) of this section, a Class C beer, wine and liquor license shall be issued by the license issuing authority of the county in which the place of business is located. It authorizes the holder to keep for sale and sell all alcoholic beverages at retail at any club, at the place described in the license, for consumption on the premises only.

(2) The annual fee for the license shall be paid to the local collecting agent before the license is issued, for distribution as provided.

(3) In this section, "board" means the board of commissioners for the jurisdiction to which the subsection applies.

(b) (1) This subsection applies only in Allegany County.

(2) The annual license fee is $500.

(3) Beverages may be sold for consumption on the premises or elsewhere.

(2) The annual license fee is $400.

(3) (i) There is a special Class C (veterans' organization) license.

(ii) The annual license fee is $400.

(iii) The license shall be issued to any local unit of a nationwide bona fide nonprofit organization or club:

1. Which is composed solely of members who served in the armed forces of the United States in any war in which the United States has engaged;

2. Which has a charter from a national veterans' organization which was granted prior to the time of making application for the license;

3. Which has a bona fide membership of not less than 100 persons and dues of not less than $5 per year per person; and

4. Which operates solely for its members and meets in a clubhouse principally used for no other purpose.

(iv) The license is subject to all other provisions of this article relating to Class C beer, wine and liquor licenses in Anne Arundel County.

(4) (i) There is a special Class C (fraternal/sororal) license.

(ii) The annual license fee is $400.

(iii) The license shall be issued to any local unit of a lodge, political organization or chapter of any bona fide nonprofit and nationwide fraternal or service organization:

1. Which is composed solely of members duly elected and initiated in accordance with the rites and customs of the fraternal or service organization;

2. Which is in existence and operation in the county prior to the time when the organization made application for the license;

3. Which has a bona fide membership of not less than 100 persons and dues of not less than $5 per year per person; and

4. Which owns and operates a home or clubhouse principally for the use of its members and their guests when accompanied by such members, and is not directly or indirectly owned or operated as a public business.

(iv) The licensee may keep for sale and sell at retail any alcoholic beverages to any member or guest when accompanied by a member. Consumption shall occur on the licensed premises only. The licensee is subject to all of the provisions of this article relating to Class C beer, wine and liquor licenses in Anne Arundel County.

(5) (i) There is a special Class C (yacht club) license.

(ii) The annual license fee is $1,500.

(iii) Upon the approval of the Board, the license shall be issued to any yacht club in the county:

1. Which has 50 or more bona fide members who pay dues of not less than $75 per year per member; and

2. Which maintains at the time of application for the license a clubhouse with a seating capacity sufficient to accommodate at one time at least 100 persons, slips or berths for 75 boats or more and at least 5 acres of ground.

(iv) The licensee may keep for sale and sell at retail any alcoholic beverages, to any member or guest when accompanied by a member at the place described in the license. Consumption shall occur on the licensed premises only. The licensee is subject to all of the provisions of this article relating to Class C beer, wine and liquor licenses in Anne Arundel County.

(v) The application for the license filed on behalf of any yacht club in the county shall be signed by at least one officer of the club, who shall be a resident, registered voter and taxpayer of Anne Arundel County.

(6) (i) There is a special Class C (golf and country club) license.

(ii) The annual license fee is $1,500.

(iii) Upon approval by the Board, a license shall be issued to a golf and country club:

1. Which has 200 or more bona fide members paying dues of not less than $75 per annum per member; and

2. Which maintains at the time of the application for the license two or more tennis courts, a swimming pool at least 30 feet by 80 feet in size, and a regular or championship golf course of nine holes or more.

(iv) The licensee may keep for sale and sell at retail any alcoholic beverages to any customer at the place described in the license for consumption on its premises.

(v) The application for any license filed on behalf of a golf and country club shall be signed by at least one officer of the club, who is a resident, registered voter and taxpayer of the county.

(vi) The golf and country club license is subject to all the provisions of this article, except that any restrictions against the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays do not apply to any licensee holding the special Class C (golf and country club) license.

(7) (i) There is a special Class C (country club) license.

(ii) The annual license fee is $625.

(iii) The license may be issued to a country club meeting the requirements set forth in paragraph (6)(iii) of this subsection other than the requirements for a regular or championship golf course of nine holes or more. Instead, the country club shall have, in addition to the other requirements, not less than 15 acres of ground for the licensed premises and used in connection therewith.

(iv) Special Class C (country club) licensees are subject to the restrictions in § 11-502 of this article as to sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday.

(v) Licensees may not sell alcoholic beverages for consumption off their premises nor on its grounds.

(8) A country club which was not under construction by July 1, 1977 shall have two or more tennis courts and a swimming pool that is at least 30 feet by 80 feet in size.

(d) In Baltimore City the annual license fee is $550.

(e) In Baltimore County the annual license fee is $500.

(f) (1) This subsection applies only in Calvert County.

(2) Licenses may be issued for the following premises:

(i) 1. Bona fide yacht clubs, as approved by the Board of License Commissioners.

2. The annual license fee is $500.

(ii) 1. Country clubs.

2. The annual license fee is $1,000.

(iii) 1. Bona fide post homes of posts of the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars.

2. The annual license fee is $500.

3. The licenses in any post homes of posts of the American Legion and/or Veterans of Foreign Wars shall allow only for the sale of liquor by the drink and on the premises.

(g) (1) The provisions of this subsection apply only in Caroline County.

(2) The annual license fee is $1,000.

(3) A license may be issued for the following premises:

(i) A bona fide nonprofit country club;

(ii) A nonprofit yacht club; or

(iii) A veterans organization composed solely of members.

(4) The club or organization shall:

(i) Operate solely for the use of its own members and their guests, who shall accompany the members;

(ii) Meet in a clubhouse that is used for no other purpose and has 100 or more bona fide members paying whatever dues were required in the year immediately preceding the year for which the license is issued; and

(iii) For organizations composed exclusively of members who serve in the armed forces of the United States, which are affiliated with a national organization, have 50 or more bona fide members paying whatever dues were required by its national organization in the year immediately preceding the year for which the license is issued.

(h) (1) This subsection applies only in Carroll County.

(2) (i) 1. The annual license fee is $1,200 for any club which is a local chapter of a nationally organized nonprofit fraternal or veterans' organization.

2. The annual license fee is $1,500 for any other club.

(ii) The license may be issued to a club which is equipped with a dining room and which has a regular seating capacity at tables (not including seats at bars or counters) for 50 or more persons and which is operating in facilities that have an assessed real property valuation of not less than $20,000.

(iii) This license for a club permits consumption on the premises only.

(i) (1) This subsection applies only in Cecil County.

(2) The annual license fee is $600.

(3) Any incorporated club shall:

(i) Have been incorporated for a period of not less than 2 years prior to time of making application;

(ii) Have a bona fide membership of not less than 25 persons;

(iii) Have dues of not less than $50 per year per member;

(iv) Maintain at the time sleeping accommodations on the club premises for 25 club members or guests; and

(v) Have facilities for preparing and serving food on the premises to the members and guests, but the club may not operate as a place of public business.

(4) Upon the approval of the application by the Board and upon payment of the required license fee, an applicant may obtain a license from the Board.

(j) (1) This subsection applies only in Charles County.

(2) The annual license fee is $300.

(3) A license may be issued to:

(i) A bona fide nonprofit organization; or

(ii) A club composed solely of members who served in the armed forces of the United States, in any war in which the United States has engaged.

(4) The organization or club shall:

(i) Operate solely for the use of its own members and their guests when accompanied by the members; and

(ii) Meet in a clubhouse that is used for no other purpose.

(5) This license permits on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages in the clubhouse or on property that is directly contiguous to the clubhouse, is owned by the club or bona fide nonprofit organization, and is used exclusively by the members and their guests for social functions or business of the club or organization.

(k) (1) This subsection applies only in Dorchester County.

(2) The annual license fee is $1,000.

(3) A license may be obtained by any bona fide yacht club and golf and country club that:

(i) Has been incorporated for a period of not less than 5 years prior to the time of making application for the license;

(ii) Has a bona fide membership of not less than 250 persons and dues of not less than $10 per year per adult member;

(iii) Has facilities for preparing and serving food on the premises to members and their guests when accompanied by such members; and

(iv) Owns or operates a clubhouse located on premises principally used for no other purpose and not directly or indirectly owned or operated as a public business.

(4) A license may be obtained by any local unit of a nationwide bona fide nonprofit organization or club composed solely of members who served in the armed forces of the United States in any war in which the United States has engaged and:

(i) Has held a charter from a national veterans' organization for a period of not less than 5 years prior to the time of making application for the license;

(ii) Has a bona fide membership of not less than 125 persons and dues of not less than $5 per year per person;

(iii) Operates solely for the use of its own members and their guests when accompanied by such members; and

(iv) Meets in a clubhouse principally used for no other purpose.

(5) A license may be obtained by any lodge or chapter of any bona fide nonprofit and nationwide fraternal organization composed of members duly elected and initiated in accordance with the rites and customs of the fraternal organization which:

(i) Has been in existence and operating in Dorchester County for a period of not less than 5 years prior to the time of making application for the license;

(ii) Has a bona fide membership of not less than 250 persons and dues of not less than $5 per annum per member;

(iii) Owns or operates a home or clubhouse principally for the use of its members and their guests when accompanied by such members; and

(iv) Is not directly or indirectly owned or operated as a public business.

(6) A license may be obtained by Sailwinds Park, Inc., a nonprofit organization. The license may be obtained and renewed so long as no individual or group of individuals derive any personal profits from the operation of the Park.

(7) Upon payment of the license fee, any organization specified by this subsection may obtain a license from the County Commissioners.

(8) If the organization specified by this subsection is located within the corporate limits of any city or town, the County Commissioners shall pay the license fee to the mayor and city council of that city or town. Otherwise, they shall pay the fee to the treasurer of Dorchester County.

(l) (1) The provisions of this subsection apply only in Frederick County.

(2) The annual license fee is $600.

(3) This license may be issued only to a club which has been in business or regularly operating for at least 3 years prior to applying for the license. This time limit does not apply to any nationally chartered and recognized bona fide fraternal, charitable or veterans' organization.

(4) A licensee may sell only off-premises consumption special anniversary or special event collectible bottles of wine or liquor 30 calendar days prior to the special anniversary or special event.

(5) (i) There is a special Class C (Weinberg Center) license for the Weinberg Center for the Arts. It shall be issued upon approval by the Board of Frederick County to the Weinberg Center for the Arts, which is a nonprofit organization, whereby no individual or group of individuals derive any personal profits from the operation of performing arts.

(ii) The annual license fee is $325.

(iii) The license is a beer, wine and liquor license (Class C on-sale). The licensee may keep for sale and sell all alcoholic beverages at retail on the premises to any customer to be consumed in the central area known as the rotunda, or the lobby, commencing 1 hour prior to, during, and 1 hour after any performance, or for a special fund-raiser to be exclusively for the benefit of the performing arts center.

(iv) The performing arts center licensee shall abide by all regulations set forth and mandated for this type license.

(v) The application for the license filed on behalf of the Weinberg Center for the Arts shall be signed by the president and two other officers of the performing arts organization, two of whom shall be residents of Frederick County.

(6) (i) There is a special Class C (golf and country club) license.

(ii) The annual license fee is $1,500.

(iii) The license may be issued to any golf and country club which maintains at the time of the application for the license and continues to maintain a regular or championship golf course of nine holes or more.

(iv) The license authorizes the licensee to keep for sale and to sell at retail any alcoholic beverages to members and guests at the licensed premises for on-sale consumption only. A country club may not sell alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises or off the grounds of the club.

(v) The application for the license filed on behalf of any golf and country club shall be signed by the president and two other officers of the golf and country club, two of whom shall be residents of Frederick County.

(vi) The golf and country club shall abide by § 11-511 of this article pertaining to Sunday opening at one o'clock p.m.

(7) (i) There is a special Class C (private business club) license.

(ii) The annual license fee is $2,000.

(iii) The Board may issue an on-sale beer, wine and liquor license for use in a private business club:

1. That is organized for business and professional persons;

2. That is nonprofit;

3. That has been incorporated for at least 1 year prior to the application for licensure;

4. That has at least 75 members;

5. That prepares and serves meals during regular operating hours to members and their guests; and

6. That has made capital expenditures for tenant improvements, equipment, and furnishings used in the business club in an amount not less than $100,000.

(iv) An application for the special 7-day Class C (private business club) on-sale beer, wine and liquor license shall be made by 3 officers of the private business club, of whom at least 2 shall be residents of Frederick County.

(v) The licensee may keep for sale and sell at retail alcoholic beverages to members and guests of the private business club for on-premises consumption only.

(vi) The hours of sale under a special 7-day Class C (private business club) on-sale beer, wine and liquor license are the same as for a Class C beer, wine and liquor license in Frederick County.

(8) (i) There is a special 7-day Class C (private country club) on-sale beer, wine and liquor license.

(ii) The annual license fee is $2,000.

(iii) The license may be issued to a private country club that:

1. Is organized for social purposes;

2. Has been incorporated for at least 1 year prior to the application for licensure;

3. Has at least 75 members;

4. Prepares and serves meals during regular operating hours to members and their guests;

5. Is located in the 14th election district or wherever else is permitted in the county; and

6. Has made capital expenditures for structures, improvements, equipment, and furnishings used in the private country club in an amount not less than $500,000.

(iv) An application for the special 7-day Class C (private country club) on-sale beer, wine and liquor license shall be made by 3 officers of the private country club, of whom at least 2 are residents of Frederick County.

(v) The licensee may keep for sale and sell at retail alcoholic beverages to members and guests of the private country club for on-premises consumption only in the structures and surrounding grounds.

(vi) The hours of sale under a special 7-day Class C (private country club) on-sale beer, wine and liquor license are the same as for a Class C beer, wine and liquor license in the county.

(9) (i) There is a special Class C (Maryland Ensemble Theatre) on-sale beer and wine license.

(ii) On approval by the Board of License Commissioners of Frederick County of the license application, the Board shall issue a license for the Maryland Ensemble Theatre.

(iii) The annual license fee is $100.

(iv) The licensee may store for sale and sell beer and wine to the public.

(v) The beer and wine shall be consumed on the premises not earlier than 1 hour before and not later than 1 hour after:

1. A regular performance; or

2. A special fund-raiser performance exclusively for the benefit of the Maryland Ensemble Theatre.

(vi) The president and two other officers of Maryland Ensemble Theatre shall sign the application for the license filed on behalf of the Maryland Ensemble Theatre.

(vii) Two of the signatories from Maryland Ensemble Theatre shall be residents of Frederick County.

(m) (1) (i) This subsection applies only in Garrett County.

(ii) In this subsection, "guest" means an individual who is specifically invited by a member of a club or organization where the member of the club or organization is in attendance.

(2) (i) There is a club and organization license.

(ii) 1. The annual license fee is $1,500.

2. The issuing fee for a new license is $1,500, in addition to the annual fee.

(iii) The license permits the sale on the premises only of beer, wine, and liquor to the members and the guests of the clubs and organizations.

(iv) The license shall be issued only to the following clubs and organizations:

1. A bona fide nationally chartered nonprofit organization or club which has been incorporated for a period of not fewer than 5 years immediately prior to the filing of the application, composed solely of members who served in the armed forces of the United States in any war in which the United States has engaged, which organization or club operates solely for the use of its own members and its guests when accompanied by such members, and meets in a clubhouse principally used for a club, and is neither directly nor indirectly operated as a public business.

2. Any lodge or chapter of a bona fide nonprofit and nationally chartered fraternal organization composed of members duly elected and initiated in accordance with the rites and customs of the fraternal organizations which is operating a home or clubhouse for the use of its members, and is neither directly nor indirectly operated as a public business. The club or organization shall have 100 or more bona fide members paying such dues as required by its national organization in the year immediately preceding the year in which the license is issued. The home or clubhouse shall have facilities for preparing and serving food on the premises to the members and their guests.

3. A bona fide yacht or boat club, owning real estate in the county and having a dues-paying membership of not less than 150 persons, not less than 50 of whom own yachts, boats, or other vessels.

4. A country club which has 75 or more bona fide members paying dues of not less than $40 per annum per member, which maintains at the time of the application for license a regular or championship golf course of 9 holes or more, or, in lieu of that golf course, a swimming pool at least 20 by 40 feet in size, and at least six tennis courts.

5. Before issuing any license pursuant to this paragraph, the Liquor Control Board shall determine whether the business to be operated by the prospective licensee is likely to enhance the recreational, business, and economic development of the county. If the Liquor Control Board in its discretion determines that the issuance of such a license will not enhance such development within the county, it shall reject the application for the license.

(n) (1) This subsection applies only in Harford County.

(2) The Liquor Control Board may issue 6-day (Monday through Saturday) and 7-day Class C-1, Class C-2, and Class C-3 (on-sale) organization or club beer, wine and liquor licenses in accordance with this section.

(3) A license issued under this subsection authorizes the holder of the license to sell or provide alcoholic beverages only for on-premises consumption by the members and guests of the club or organization.

(4) (i) In this paragraph, "war veterans organization" means a bona fide nationally chartered nonprofit organization or club that:

1. Has been incorporated for a period of not fewer than 5 years immediately before the filing of the application for a license under this paragraph;

2. Is composed solely of members who served in the armed forces of the United States in any war in which the United States was engaged;

3. Operates solely for the use of its own members and its guests when accompanied by such members;

4. Meets in a clubhouse principally used for a club; and

5. Is neither directly nor indirectly operated as a public business.

(ii) A Class C-1 license may be issued only to a war veterans organization.

(iii) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-1 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 50 to 99 bona fide members, the annual fee for a 6-day, Monday through Saturday, (on-sale) Class C-1 license is $350.

(iv) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-1 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 50 to 99 bona fide members, the annual fee for a 7-day (on-sale) Class C-1 license is $450.

(v) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-1 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 100 to 250 bona fide members, the annual fee for a 6-day, Monday through Saturday, (on-sale) Class C-1 license is $600.

(vi) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-1 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 100 to 250 bona fide members, the annual fee for a 7-day (on-sale) Class C-1 license is $700.

(vii) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-1 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 251 to 450 bona fide members, the annual fee for a 6-day, Monday through Saturday, (on-sale) Class C-1 license is $850.

(viii) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-1 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 251 to 450 bona fide members, the annual fee for a 7-day (on-sale) Class C-1 license is $950.

(ix) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-1 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 451 or more bona fide members, the annual fee for a 6-day, Monday through Saturday, (on-sale) Class C-1 license is $1,000.

(x) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-1 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 451 or more bona fide members, the annual fee for a 7-day (on-sale) Class C-1 license is $1,100.

(5) (i) In this paragraph, "fraternal organization" means a lodge or chapter of a bona fide nationally chartered fraternal organization that is:

1. Composed of members duly elected and initiated in accordance with the rites and customs of the organization;

2. Operates a clubhouse or building:

A. For the use of its members; and

B. That has facilities for preparing and serving food on the premises for the members and their guests;

3. Is neither directly nor indirectly operated as a public business; and

4. Has at least 100 bona fide members, each of whom paid dues as required by the national organization in the year immediately preceding the year for which the license was applied or issued.

(ii) A Class C-2 license may be issued only to a fraternal organization.

(iii) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-2 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 100 to 250 bona fide members, the annual fee for a 6-day, Monday through Saturday, (on-sale) Class C-2 license is $800.

(iv) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-2 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 100 to 250 bona fide members, the annual fee for a 7-day (on-sale) Class C-2 license is $900.

(v) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-2 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 251 to 450 bona fide members, the annual fee for a 6-day, Monday through Saturday, (on-sale) Class C-2 license is $1,050.

(vi) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-2 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 251 to 450 bona fide members, the annual fee for a 7-day (on-sale) Class C-2 license is $1,150.

(vii) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-2 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 451 or more bona fide members, the annual fee for a 6-day, Monday through Saturday, (on-sale) Class C-2 license is $1,200.

(viii) For a club or organization that qualifies for a Class C-2 license under this paragraph and has a membership of 451 or more bona fide members, the annual fee for a 7-day (on-sale) Class C-2 license is $1,300.

(6) (i) In this paragraph the following words have the meanings indicated.

1. "Miscellaneous organization or club" means a country club, racquet club, indoor soccer box lacrosse club, a yacht or boat club, or topiary garden.

2. "Box lacrosse and indoor soccer club" means a club or organization that:

A. May be operated for profit or not for profit;

B. Has at the time of application for the license and continues to maintain facilities for playing box lacrosse and indoor soccer;

C. Has 75 or more bona fide members each of whom pays dues of not less than $50 per year;

D. Has a facility for preparing food;

E. Is not located within 300 feet of an existing establishment that is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-sale or off-sale consumption; and

F. Allows the sale of beer, wine, and liquor only from the hours of 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

3. "Country club" means a club or organization that:

A. May be operated for profit or not for profit;

B. Has 75 or more bona fide members each of whom pays not less than $50 per year; and

C. Maintains at the time of the application for the license and continues to maintain a regular or championship golf course of 9 holes or more, or, instead of the golf course, a swimming pool at least 20 by 40 feet in size, and at least 6 tennis courts.

4. "Racquet club" means a club or organization:

A. That may be operated for profit or not for profit;

B. That has 75 or more bona fide members each of whom pays dues of not less than $50 per year;

C. That has at the time of application for the license and continues to maintain a minimum of 6 playing courts and has facilities for preparing food; and

D. The premises of which is to be licensed is not located within 300 feet of any existing establishment licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-sale or off-sale consumption.

5. "Topiary garden" means an organization that:

A. Operates a public museum and garden for its membership and the general public as guests of the membership;

B. Is open to the general public for at least 6 days a week for at least 6 hours a day during 5 months each year; and

C. Has food preparation facilities on the topiary garden premises for the convenience of visiting guests.

6. "Yacht or boat club" means a club or organization that:

A. May be operated for profit or not for profit; and

B. Owns real property in Harford County; and

C. Has not less than 150 bona fide dues-paying members and not less than 50 of whom own a yacht, boat, or other vessel.

(ii) A Class C-3 license may be issued only to a miscellaneous organization or club.

(iii) 1. The fee for a 6-day, Monday through Saturday, (on-sale) Class C-3 license under this paragraph is $1,300.

2. The fee for a 7-day Class C-3 license under this paragraph is $1,400.

(o) (1) This subsection applies only in Howard County.

(2) (i) There is a country club license.

(ii) The annual license fee is $1,500.

(iii) The license may be issued to a country club or to its owner or owners, regardless of whether the club is operated for profit or not. The club shall have a bona fide annual limited membership and which shall have at the time of issuance of the license a regular or championship golf course adjacent to the premises for which a license is sought of 18 holes and other club facilities.

(3) (i) There is a veterans' club license.

(ii) The annual license fee is $250.

(iii) The license may be issued to a club composed exclusively of members who served in the armed forces of the United States, which is affiliated with a national organization, and having 75 or more bona fide members paying such dues as required by its national organization in the year immediately preceding the year for which the license is issued. At least 75 percent of the members of the club shall have resided in Howard County for at least 2 years immediately preceding the date of application for the license and the club shall have

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