Board of Liquor License Commissioners for
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the basic requirements to obtain
a liquor license?
A: The resident applicant must be a Washington County resident for a
minimum of two years prior to filing an application, must be a
registered voter, taxpayer, and a U.S. citizen. Photo
identification is required on all persons applying for a
liquor license. (21 years of age)
Q: How and where do I apply for a liquor
license?
A: Applications and accompanying documents are available in the Board's office located at 148 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland. Staff are available to provide assistance and answer questions Monday through Friday from 9am to noon and from 1pm to 4pm.
Q: What is the cost of applying for a liquor
license?
A: A $300.00 filing fee is required with all applications except 1-day
licenses.
Q: What occurs at a public hearing?
A: A public hearing is your opportunity to present your case to the
Liquor Board. Other interested parties attending the hearing are
also given the opportunity to speak regarding your application.
Liquor licenses are issued based upon the applicants being fit and
proper persons as well as proving the need to accommodate the public.
The Liquor Board will make an oral decision (to approve or deny the application
or within 30 days) at the conclusion of the public hearing. It will be
followed up with an
"official" written decision within thirty (30) days of the oral decision.
Q: May I appeal a decision of the Liquor
Board?
A: An appeal of a Liquor Board decision must be filed within thirty (30)
days of the date of the written decision to the Circuit Court of
Washington County.
Q: Is there a restriction on the number of alcoholic beverage licenses issued in Washington County?
A:
In Washington County, Maryland the number of license establishments is controlled by the population in each election district. The rule allows one licensed establishment per 1000 residents in each district.
There were many establishments already in operation when this rule went into effect. Those establishments that had an alcoholic beverage license at the time this rule was promulgated were “grandfathered” in, which has caused most districts to be at or over the allowable number of establishments in Washington County. Attached is a list of the Election Districts, their population, and the current number of establishments in each district.
Article 2B, §9-222(b)(ii)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(b) Population ratio quotas. – (1)(i) In this subsection the following words have the meanings indicated.
(ii) “Population ratio quota: means 1 license for each 1,000 individuals, excluding individuals retained or confined in a correctional facility as defined under §1-101(d) of the Correctional Services Article, who reside in the election district where the license will be issued as determined by the last federal population census.