§ 11-1601

Maryland § 11-1601

• Jurisdiction: Maryland
• Article gab: Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis
• Title: 11

Text

(a) (1) The Board may restrict the number of licenses in a specified area in the county to the existing number of licenses in that area or to any other number of licenses that the Board considers appropriate.

(2) Before the number of licenses in a specified area is restricted, the Board shall conduct a hearing in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.

(b) (1) A hearing on a proposed restriction of the number of licenses in a specified area shall be advertised in the manner required for the issuance of a new license.

(2) If, after taking testimony for and against restricting the number of licenses in a specified area, the Board decides to order the restriction, the Board:

(i) shall determine the boundaries of the area; and

(ii) may prohibit the issuance of additional licenses or establish the number of additional licenses to be issued in the area, if the Board determines that the area has:

1. sufficient licensed premises to accommodate the public;

2. become so saturated with licensed premises that special policing is required and traffic hazards are created; or

3. changed character so that the existing number of licensed premises is inconsistent with the current use of the area, and an increase in the number of licensed premises will unduly disturb the peace of residents.

(3) (i) The Board may restrict the number of licenses in a specified area for a period between 1 and 4 years.

(ii) After the period that the Board sets, the restrictions shall end unless the Board holds another hearing and further restricts the number of licenses.

(c) The Board shall conduct a hearing on restricting the number of licenses in a specified area if the Board receives a petition that:

(1) requests the restriction;

(2) designates the specific area to be restricted; and

(3) is signed by at least 25 individuals who are property owners and registered voters of the precinct in which the proposed restricted area is located.