Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services

How to Apply

For a New or Transfer Annual Alcoholic Beverage License in

Montgomery County, Maryland

Division of Licensure, Regulation and Education (LRE)

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/abs

D i v i s i o n o f L i c e n s u r e , R e g u l a t i o n a n d E d u c a t i o n ( L R E )2 0 1 E d i s o n P a r k D r i v e G a i t h e r s b u r g , M D 2 0 8 7 8

24 0 - 7 7 7 - 1 9 9 9 F a x : 24 0 - 7 7 7 - 1 9 9 1

Montgomery County, MD

Obtaining an Application for a New or Transfer License in Montgomery County

• Online:VisittheAlcohol Beverage Services(ABS)websiteat:https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/abs-apps to view allrequireddocuments.THEENTIREAPPLICATIONPACKETISNOTAVAILABLEONLINE.Allapplicationformscan be completedin a writable PDF,butstillneedtobeprintedandsubmittedwithallrequireddocuments(seepage5).

• PickUp:AttheMontgomeryCountyAlcohol Beverage Services,DivisionofLicensure,RegulationandEducation(LRE),201EdisonParkDrive,Gaithersburg,MD20878,between9:00a.m.and5:00p.m.MondaythroughFriday(closedon Countyholidays).Phone:(240)777-1999

• Mail:Requestanapplicationpacketbemailedor emailed toyoubycallingtheLREOfficesat(240)777-1999.

Types of Annual Licenses

Anewlicenseapplicationisfor:

• Afacilitythathasneverhadanalcohollicense,or

• Apreviously-licensedfacilitywithanalcohollicensethathaslapsedorexpired,or

• Acurrently-licensedfacilitywherethecurrentlicenseeisnotwillingtotransferthealcohollicense.Thecurrentlicenseemustsurrenderthelicensebeforeanewapplicationwillbeaccepted.Noalcoholicbeveragesmaybesoldorservedonthepremisesuntilanewlicenseisapproved,obtainedandpostedinthefacility.

Atransferlicenseapplicationisfor:

• Acurrently-licensedfacilityingoodstanding(taxesup-to-date,nopendingviolationsorfinesowedto ABSaccountup-to-date).ContacttheStateofMaryland Comptroller’sOfficeat(410)767-1630todetermine ifthere areanydelinquentsales,withholdingoramusementtaxes owedbythecurrentlicensee.Youmusthave theCRnumber thatthetaxesarefiledundertoobtain this information.ALLSUCHTAXESMUSTBEPAIDPRIOR TOTHETRANSFEROFANYLICENSE.

• Thecurrentowner/licenseemustbewillingto transferthealcohollicense.

• Alcoholicbeveragesmaybesoldduringtheap-plicationprocess.

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Alcohol Beverage Services

Class Type AnnualFeeClassB Beer/Wine/Liquor.

• Issuedtohotels and restaurants.• Nooff-premisesconsumption,on-

saleonly.Hoursofsale:9a.m.-2a.m.Sun-Thurs,9a.m.-3a.m.Fri &Sat.

• Bathroomsrequiredforbothsexes.• Minimumseating:10tables/30seats• Minimum ratio of food sales to

alcoholsalesmustbe40%foodor higher.

$2,500

Class D • Beer,Wine&Liquor• Onsaleonly.• Food/alcoholratiosapplyuntil9

p.m.daily.HoursofSale:9a.m.-2a.m.Sun-Thurs,9a.m.-3a.m.Fri andSat,.

• Bathroomsrequiredforbothsexes.• Nominimunseatingrequirement.

$3,000

Class D • Beer&Wine.• Issuedtotaverns,specialtyshops,

andpackagedgoodsstores.• Bothonandoffpremisesconsump-

tion.Hoursofsaleforonpremises: 9a.m.-2a.m.seven days a week.Hoursofsaleforoff premises:6a.m.-1a.m.sevendays aweek.

• Bathroomsrequiredforbothsexes.• Nominimumseatingrequirement.

$400

ClassH • Beer&Wine.• Issuedtohotelsandrestaurants.• No off premises consumption, on

saleonly.Hoursofsale:9a.m.-2a.m.Mon-Sat,seven days a week.

• Bathroomsrequiredforbothsexes.• Minimumseating:10tables/30seats

$400

SpecialRequirements

• Nolicensetosellalcoholicbeveragescan beauthorizedwithinthetownofWashingtonGrove. ApplicationsmaybefiledforfacilitieswithintheTownofKensington but certain restrictions mayapply. Restrictions also apply in the 11th election district in Damascus.

Class Type AnnualFeeClass A • Wineonly,orBeer&Wine.

• Usuallyissuedtostores.• No on premises consumption, off

saleonly.Hoursofsale6a.m.- 1a.m.sevendaysaweek.Nobathroomorseatingrequired.

$100 (wine only)

$250(beer & wine)

ClassB • Beer&Wine.• Issuedtohotels and restaurants.• Onandoff-saleprivileges.• Hoursofsale:Off-sale6a.m.–1

a.m.sevendaysaweek.On-sale 9a.m.–2a.mseven days a weeka.m.–1a.m.Sun.

• Bathroomsrequiredforbothsexes.

• Minimumseating:30seats.

$400

Top6ClassesofAlcoholicBeverageLicenses

MostCommonClassesofAlcoholicBeverageLicensesContinued...

For a complete list of all classes of licenseswww.montgomerycountymd.gov/ABSLRE/Licensure/licenses.html

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ApplicantQualifications

BasicQualifications:

Applicantsforthelicensemust:

1. BelegalresidentsoftheUnitedStatesandprovideacopyofcurrentidentificationwithaddress,suchasa driver‘slicense.Foreign-bornapplicantsmustprovideproofoflegalstatus,suchasacopyofapermanent residentcard,naturalizationcertificate,orUSpassport.

2. Nothavebeenconvictedofanyfelonycrime

FurtherQualifications:

• Individual:Anapplicantnotoperatingthebusinessunderacorporation,limitedliabilitycompany,orpartner- shipmayapplyasan individual.

• Partnership:Thelicensemustbeappliedforbyatleasttwogeneralpartners;Ifthereisonlyonegeneralpartner,the licenseshallbeappliedforbythatpartner.

• Corporation:Allapplicantsmustbeofficersofthecorporation;iftherearemorethanthreeofficers,please select justthree.

• Limited Liability Company (LLC):AllapplicantsmustbeauthorizedpersonsoftheLLC;iftherearemorethan threeauthorizedLLCmembers,pleaseselectjustthree.

Whenindicatingownershipofacorporation,anLLC,orapartnershipontheapplication,thenamesoftheactualpeoplewhoareownersmustbeprovided,notjustthecorporateentities.Thismayrequirealistingand/orflowcharttobeattachedtotheapplication.Iftherearemorethan10suchownersORacorporateentityispublicly-traded,pleasecontacttheBLCofficeastohowtocompletethisportionoftheapplication.

Montgomery County, MD

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Electronic Fingerprinting Available!

WHAT: Electronic fingerprinting via live scan is offered toMontgomery County, MD alcohol licensed establish-

ments by the Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage

WHERE:

WHEN:

COST:

Services. The state no longer accepts paper print cards.

Licensure, Regulation and Education (LRE) Office 201 Edison Park DriveGaithersburg, MD 20878

Every Tuesday & Wednesday, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM, or by appointment by calling the 240-777-1999.

$120, includes fingerprinting and processing fee. Cash, check & credit cards accepted.

Alcohol Beverage Services

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Montgomery County, MD

RequiredDocuments• Completedapplicationisrequired.Allinformationgivenbyallpartiesmustbetruthfulandallquestionsonthe

applicationmustbeanswered.

• Allforeign-bornapplicantsmustprovideacopyofproofoflegalstatus,suchasapermanentresidentcard, naturalizationcertificate,orUSpassport.

• Copyofcurrentdriver’slicenseforeachapplicantandmanager.

• CorporationandLLCapplicantsmustsubmitacopyoftheArticlesofOrganization.ThiscanbeobtainedfromtheStateDept.of Assessments&TaxationinBaltimore:1-888-246-5941.Arecent Certificate ofGoodStanding is also required.TheCertificateofGoodStandingmaybeobtainedonlineatwww.dat.state.md.us. Thereisafeetodownloadthisdocument.

• Corporationapplicantsmustsubmitacopyofcorporateminutesshowingtheelectionoftheofficers.

• LLCapplicantsmustsubmittheOperatingAgreementandorganizationalresolutionminutesshowingthateach applicantisanauthorizedpersonentitledtoactonbehalfoftheLLC.

• Franchiseapplicantsmustprovideacopyofthefranchiseagreement;thisagreementmustshowthatno profits fromthesaleofalcoholicbeveragesareincludedinthefranchisefees.

• Ataxaffidavit(onlyoneapplicantsignatureisrequired).

• AratioaffidavitsignedbyoneapplicantisonlyrequiredofClassB,beer,wineandliquorlicense applicantsand ofClassB-K(Kensington),beer&wine,orbeer,wineandliquorlicenseapplicants.

• Fingerprintsforallapplicantsandmanager(seepage4).

• Applicationfee(refertochartonpage6forcorrectamount).

• Transferapplicantsmustalsosubmit1. Acopy of the contract&settlementtransferaffidavit.

*Note:AtransferapplicationmustbesubmittedtotheLREOfficewithin30daysofthesettlementdate orthelicensewillexpire.

2. Thetransferformwithsignaturesofallexistinglicensees.3. Ifyouapplyforalicensetransfer,pendingtheissuanceofyourlicense,youcannotreceive

deliveriesfromABSunless:1.Thebusinessthatstillholdsthelicense(thetransferor)hasterminated theirACHaccountwithABS;and2.You(thetransferee)havesetupanACHaccountwithABS.

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Number of Applicants and Managers ONEPERSON TWOPEOPLE THREEPEOPLE FOURPEOPLE

TypeofFee

Application $600.00 $600.00 $600.00 $600.00

FingerprintProcessing

$120.00 $240.00 $360.00 $480.00

TOTAL $720.00 $840.00 $960.00 $1,080.00

ApplicationFees

• Applicationfeeforallclassesofalcohollicense(non-refundable),paidat the time of application:$600

• Fingerprintprocessingforeachapplicantsandmanager,$120perperson

TheLREOfficeacceptspaymentsbycash,majorcreditcard,orcheckpayabletoMontgomeryCounty,MD

NextSteps

• SubmitthecompletedapplicationwithallrequireddocumentstotheLREOfficeforreview.Iffilingforatransfer, theapplicationmustbesubmittedtotheLREOfficewithin30daysfromthedatenewownershiptookover. Otherwise,thelicensewillexpire.

• Uponcompletionofthereviewingprocess,ahearingdateandtimewillbeassigned.Aposter announcing thehearingdatewillbeprovidedbyofficestaffforpostingatthefacilitythirty(30)dayspriorto the hearing. Writtennoticeofthehearingwillbesenttotheapplicant’shomeaddress.

• Ifaninterpreterisneededatthehearing,theLREstaffshouldbegivenatleasttwoweeksnoticetoarrangeforone.

• Posttheposteratthefacility.Itmustbeunobstructedandclearlyvisibletothepublicforatleast30dayspriortothehearingdate.

• AnalcoholenforcementinspectormayvisitthefacilityandprepareareporttotheBoardpriortothehearing.

• FingerprintswillbeprocessedbytheStateofMarylandandtheFBI.LREstaffwillchecktomakesurethatthe facilityiszonedforalcoholicbeveragesales.Noticeofthehearingwillbepublishedon the Alcohol Beverage Services website.

Alcohol Beverage Services

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Montgomery County, MDHearingPreparation• ReadtheBoard’sRulesandRegulations,availableattheLREOfficeoronlineat

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/abs.

• BecomeAlcohol-Awarenesscertified.ArrangementsshouldbemadetoobtainAlcoholAwareness CertificationbytakingaclassgivenbyaState-approvedprivatetrainer.Typicallyafour-hourclass,thisleads toacertificatethatisgoodforfouryears.AlistofapprovedcoursesisavailableontheABSwebsiteat www.montgomerycountymd.gov/abs.ClickonLicensure,Regulation&Educationintheupperright.ThenclickonTechnicalSupportontheright-handside.ScrolldowntoAlcoholAwarenessTrainingRequire-

mentsandTrainingPrograms.

• AttendanAlcoholLawEducationRegulatoryTraining(ALERT)class.ThisfreeclassisgivenbyAlcohol Beverage Servicesat201EdisonParkDrive,Gaithersburg,MD20878,usuallyonthe

2nd&4thMondayofeachmonth,from10a.m.to1p.m.CalltheLREofficetosignupforaclass:240-777-1999.TheALERTClasswillpreparelicenseesforthequalifingquestionsatthehearing.

• Knowwherethehearingisandhowtogetthere.Hearingroomschange,thelocationisontheposteror calltheLREofficetoconfirm.

• Communicatewithco-applicantsasallapplicantsmustbepresentatthehearing.

Whattobringtothehearing• Aprintedmenu(8-1/2x14inchsizeorsmallerpreferred).

• Acurrentfloorplanofthefacility(8½x14inchorsmaller).Thefloorplanneedstoshowtablesandseats,thekitchen,restrooms,alcoholplacement,anystoragespacesandpointsofentry/exits.Ifyouwanttoservealcoholoutsideinanareaimmediatelyadjacenttothefacility,besurethefloorplanshowstheoutdoorcaféarea.ContacttheLREOfficefortherequirementsforapproval.Onceapproved,licenseswillbemarkedwiththewordsOUTDOORCAFE.

• Copiesofalcoholawarenesscertificatesforapplicantsand/oremployees,iftheyhavenotalreadybeensubmitted.

• Managerorpersoninchargeofdaytodayoperations.

TheBoardofLicenseCommissionersCommonlyknownasthe"LiquorBoard,”theBoardisalegally-designatedgroupwiththeauthoritytoissue,revoke,renewortransferalcohollicenses.TheBoardiscomprisedoffiveresidentsofMontgomeryCountywhoareappointedbytheCountyExecutiveandconfirmedbytheCountyCouncilandserveuptotwotermsoffouryears.TheBoardholdshearingstwofulldayseachmonthtoapproveordenynewandtransferapplications,andtodeliberateonprotestsonrenewalapplications.TheBoardalsoholdsshow-causehearingsonalcohollicenseviolations;andhastheauthoritytosuspend,revoke,orissuefinesupto$20,000.

HearingProceduresThefiveBoardmemberswillaskquestionsregardingtheapplicants’experienceandplansforthefacility.Oneindividualwilltaketheidentificationtest--thisshouldbethepersoninchargeoftheday-to-dayoperationsofthefacility.Thisper-sondoesnothavetobeanapplicant;anemployedmanagermaybemostappropriate.

TheBoardwillpubliclyvoteonthegrantingofthelicense.Inspecialcircumstances,theBoardmaycontinuethehear-ingtoanotherdateandtime;thiswillbecommunicatedatthehearing.Typically,newandtransferlicensehearingslastapproximately30minutes.Whenalicenseisapproved,theapplicantsaregivena“NextSteps”informationsheetattheconclusionofthehearing.

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Alcohol Beverage Services

FollowingtheHearing

Applicantswillreceivewrittennoticeoftheapprovalofthelicense,usuallywithinonetotwoweeksfromthehearing,attheirhomeaddress.

AfterReceivingNoticeThatYourLicenseIsApproved

ApplicantsshouldcalltheLREOfficeat240-777-1999toscheduleafinalcomplianceinspectiononcethefollowingdocumentsareobtained:

• Use&OccupancyCertificateo MontgomeryCountyDeptofPermittingServices:call240-777-6300.o CityofRockville:call240-314-5000.o CityofGaithersburg:call301-258-6300.

• FoodServiceFacilityLicenseo MontgomeryCountyHealthDepartment:call240-777-3986.

• StateSales&UseTaxLicenseo MarylandComptrollersOffice,call800-492-1751.

• Alcohol-AwarenessCertificate

PickingUpYourLicense

• ThelicensemustbepickedupattheLREOffice.Presentthelicensefeepayment(weacceptcash,creditand check),andanyotherdocumentationthatwasrequiredbytheBoardatthehearing,orrequestedbytheLRE inspectoratthetimeofthefinalcomplianceinspection.

• ClassB,beer,wineandliquorlicenseapplicantscanrequesttohaveacateringprivilegeontheirlicense.Thiswill permitthemtocateroff-siteeventswithfoodandalcohol.Ifthisisrequested,thelicensewillbemarked withthe word CATERING.Additionalreportingrequirementsapply.Thereisnoextracharge forthis privilegeifitisrequestedatthetimeofapplicationforaneworrenewallicense.

BankDebit(ACH)Account

• LicenseesmusthaveaBankDebit(ACH)accountsetupwithABSinordertoreceivedeliveries.TosetupyourACHaccount,completetheCustomerBankDebit(ACH)AuthorizationForm.TheformispostedontheABSwebsiteandcanalsobeobtainedattheABSLicensure,RegulationandEducationOffice.

• LicenseTransfers:Ifyouapplyforalicensetransfer,pendingtheissuanceofyourlicense,youcannotreceivedeliveriesfromABSunless:1.Thebusinessthatstillholdsthelicense(thetransferor)hasterminatedtheirACHaccountwithABS;and2.You(thetransferee)havesetupanACHaccountwithABS.

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LicenseModifications

• Licenseechange:Asignedletterofresignationmustbesubmittedbythepersonwhoistoberemoved fromthelicense.Ifthelicensehasbeenissuedonbehalfofacorporation,partnership,orLLC,corporatemin-

utesindicatingtheacceptanceoftheperson’sresignationandthenameofthepersontoreplacethemmustalsobesubmitted.

• Corporatechange:Anyownershiporstockchangeof51%ormoreofthefacilityrequiresafulltransferap- plicationandanewhearingbeforetheBoard.Ownershipchangesoflessthan51%canbehandledbysubmit- tingcorporateminutesindicatingsuchchange(s)orthiscanbehandledontherenewalapplication.

LicenseClassChange

UpgradingorReclassifyingaLicense Down-gradingaLicense

Upgradingorreclassifyingalicensemeansaddinganadditionaltypeofalcoholsaletoalicense.(Examplesincludeaddingliquortoabeer&winelicenseoraddingoff-saletoanon-saleonlylicense.)ThisrequiresanewapplicationsubmissionandanewhearingbeforetheBoard.

Down-grading(convertingabeer,wine&liquorlicensetoabeer&winelicense)requiresnotificationtotheBoardviaasignedletterstatingintentionsandmustincludesignaturesofalllicensees.ThecurrentlicenseshouldbeturnedintotheLREOfficeatatimewhenthefacilityisclosedandthenewlicensecanbeissued;a$20feeisappliedforthischangeonthelicense.Ifthischangeismadeatrenewal,thereisnoadditionalchargeforthechange.Note:norefundsofannuallicensefeeswillbeissued.

UsefulWebsites

TheRulesandRegulationsoftheMontgomeryCountyBoardofLicenseCommissionersareavailableontheAlcohol Beverage Serviceswebsite:

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/abs.ClickontheLicensure,Regulation&Education(LRE)tab.TheCountyRules&RegulationsareontheLREmainpage.

Alistofstate-approvedalcoholawarenessprogramsforyouandyourstaffandinformationontheDepartmentofLiquorControl’sALERTclassesarealsoavailableontheAlcohol Beverage Serviceswebsite:

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/abs.ClickonLicensure,Regulation&Educationintheupperright,andthenclickonTechnicalSupportintheright-handcolumn.

YoucanpayyourMarylandstatetaxesonline:

www.MarylandTax.com

TheComptrolleroftheStateofMarylandhasinformationonalcoholicbeveragetradepractices:

http://compnet.comp.state.md.us/MATT_Regulatory_Division/

Montgomery County, MD

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Division of Licensure, Regulation and Education (LRE)

Montgomery County Department of Liquor ControlDivision of Licensure, Regulation and Education (LRE)

201 Edison Park Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878 240-777-1999 Fax: 240-777-1991

E-mail: dlc@montgomerycountymd.gov

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dlc

Division of Licensure, Regulation and Education (LRE)

Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage ServicesDivision of Licensure, Regulation and Education (LRE)

201 Edison Park Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878 240-777-1999 Fax: 240-777-1991

E-mail: abslicensing@montgomerycountymd.gov

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/abs