[HISTORY: Adopted by the County Council of Talbot County 3-6-2012 by Bill No. 1215. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Talbot
County Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance."
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A commercial enterprise licensed or seeking a license to
engage primarily in the retail sale of packaged alcoholic beverages
with such beverages occupying at least 75% of the sales area.
A commercial enterprise and limited food service facility
licensed or seeking a license to engage in both the sale of packaged
alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises and craft beer and
wine for consumption on premises at the same location with light food
service and seating for no more than 40 people. An alcohol dispensary
bistro shall not include pharmacies, chain or franchise supermarkets,
and establishments that sell, or are affiliated with the sale of,
gasoline and other petroleum-based products to motorists.
[Added 12-12-2017 by Bill
No. 1377]
A limited food service facility, not to exceed 20 seats,
located in a marina that regularly prepares and serves full meals,
which may include a sandwich menu.
A retail grocery or food store doing business at multiple
locations under a common name regardless of the form or system of
ownership.
[Added 12-12-2017 by Bill
No. 1377]
A small-scale retail store, less than 8,000 square feet,
located to serve highway or neighborhood demand for light food service,
sandwiches, or snack foods for immediate consumption or carryout,
having a limited selection of grocery items, over-the-counter medicines,
cosmetics, and household supplies, licensed or seeking a license to
offer limited beer and light wine items occupying not more than 25%
of the sales area. Convenience stores do not include locations that
dispense petroleum products for motor vehicles.
Beer produced by independently owned breweries in small-batches.
[Added 12-12-2017 by Bill
No. 1377]
A commercial enterprise with a current, valid license to
operate as a Class One Distillery by the State of Maryland.
[Added 2-25-2020 by Bill
No. 1442]
A lodging place offering overnight sleeping accommodations,
with at least 25 bedrooms, having a food service facility that regularly
prepares and serves meals on the premises where alcoholic beverages
are to be sold.
A food service facility with capacity to seat at least 20
persons, counting any outdoor seating, regularly serving at least
two meals per day, which may include a sandwich menu, that maintains
a kitchen staffed for serving food that opens within one hour after
the facility opens and remains in continuous operation until at least
two hours before alcoholic beverages are no longer served.
A retail grocery or food store that contains a sales area
of not less than 16,900 square feet in which at least 80% of the sales
area is devoted to the retail sale of food and food-related products.
A qualified business organization operating as a nonprofit
or charitable organization under Maryland law, or that has been determined
to be an exempt organization pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code[1] that is
[Amended 2-23-2021 by Bill No. 1469
[1]
Editor's Note: See 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3).
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
The County Council declares that the purpose of this chapter
is to regulate the retail sale of alcoholic beverages within Talbot
County, pursuant to the authority granted in Md. Code Ann., Alcoholic
Beverages Art., § 30-103. The regulations, provisions, restrictions
and penalties contained in this chapter are for the protection, health,
welfare and safety of the citizens of Talbot County.
This chapter shall be administered and enforced by the Talbot County Board of Liquor License Commissioners (the "Board"). The Board may adopt such written rules and regulations as it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, subject to the approval of the County Council. Chapter 60, Ethics Provisions, Talbot County Code, shall apply to members of the Board.
A.
Beer and light wine license, Class A (off-sale), alcohol dispensaries,
supermarkets, and convenience stores.
(1)
General provisions. A Class A beer and light wine license shall be
issued only to alcohol dispensaries, supermarkets, and convenience
stores, and shall authorize the holder thereof to keep for sale and
sell beer and light wine, at retail, in any quantity to any consumers,
at the place described in the license, in a sealed package or container,
which package or container may not be opened nor its contents consumed
on the premises where sold. Notwithstanding the limitation on the
issuance of a Class A license to alcohol dispensaries, supermarkets,
and convenience stores set forth above, any holder of a Class A license
lawfully issued and validly existing on the effective date of this
chapter shall be entitled to renew the same at the existing location,
provided that all such applications for renewal otherwise comply with
all then-existing ordinances, laws, and regulations, as amended from
time to time.
(2)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
A license may be exercised shall be from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight.
[Amended 10-25-2022 by Bill No. 1527]
(3)
Light wine and beer tasting, alcohol dispensaries. Other provisions
of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, the holder of a valid
Class A license issued to an alcohol dispensary shall be authorized
to serve not more than one ounce from no more than three bottles or
containers of beer or light wine to any one person for sampling or
tasting purposes. Once opened, any bottles or containers of beer or
light wine to be sampled shall be accurately and specifically marked
for sampling or tasting purposes only or shall be discarded and shall
not be offered for sale. The contents of any bottle or container opened
for sampling or tasting purposes shall not be mixed with any other
bottle or container. Any beer or light wine sampling or tasting authorized
by this section shall be permitted on the licensed premises only.
(4)
Class A licenses for any supermarket shall require that the alcoholic
beverages be kept and offered for sale exclusively in an enclosed
area separated from the main sales area by permanent walls or partitions
at least eight feet high.
(5)
Notwithstanding the requirement for a separate sales area for alcoholic beverages set forth in Subsection A(4) above, any supermarket holding a Class A license lawfully issued and validly existing on the effective date of this chapter shall be entitled to renew the same at the existing location without compliance therewith. Existing Class A licenses that are exempt from such requirement under this provision may be transferred to a new owner or location subject to the requirements of Subsection A(4) at any new location and compliance with all then-existing ordinances, laws, and regulations, as amended from time to time, but without regard to compliance with the market test in § 11-8D.
B.
Beer and light wine license, Class B (on-sale), hotels and restaurants.
(1)
General provisions. A Class B beer and light wine license shall authorize
the holder thereof to keep for sale and sell beer and light wine,
at retail, at any hotel or restaurant, at the place described in the
license, for consumption on the premises.
(2)
From and after the effective date of this chapter, the application for issuance or renewal of a Class B license shall also include all information required to obtain a caterer's endorsement in accordance with § 11-6A. Subject to all requirements otherwise applicable to a caterer's endorsement, all Class B licenses issued or renewed after this chapter becomes law shall include a caterer's endorsement as part of their issuance or renewal, unless the applicant affirmatively declines the same.
(3)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
B license may be exercised shall be from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on
the following day.
[Amended 10-25-2022 by Bill No. 1527]
C.
Beer and light wine license, Class B-R (off-sale), hotels and restaurants.
(1)
General provisions. A Class B-R beer and light wine license shall
be issued only to hotels and restaurants and shall authorize the holder
thereof to keep for sale and sell beer and light wine, at retail,
at the place described in the license, in a sealed package or container,
which package or container may not be opened nor its contents consumed
on the premises where sold.
(2)
Any holder of a Class F license lawfully issued and validly existing on the effective date of this chapter shall be entitled to obtain a Class B-R license through the renewal process at the existing location, provided that all such applications otherwise comply with all then-existing ordinances, laws, and regulations, as amended from time to time; provided, further, that all such holders shall be entitled to a B-R license without regard to the market test set forth in § 11-8D.
(3)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
B-R license may be exercised shall be from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
on the following day.
[Amended 10-25-2022 by Bill No. 1527]
D.
Beer and light wine license, Class C (on-sale), clubs.
(1)
General provisions. A Class C beer and light wine license shall authorize
the holder thereof to keep for sale and sell beer and light wine,
at retail, to bona fide members and their guests at any club, at the
place described in the license, for consumption on the premises only.
(2)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
C license may be exercised shall be from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight.
[Amended 10-25-2022 by Bill No. 1527]
E.
Beer and light wine license, Class D (on- and off-sale), marinas.
(1)
General provisions. A Class D beer and light wine license shall authorize
the holder thereof to keep for sale and sell beer and light wine,
at retail, at any marina, at the place described in the license, for
consumption on the premises and elsewhere. All sales and consumption
of alcoholic beverages on the premises shall occur in a cafe regularly
preparing and serving full meals, which may include a sandwich menu.
(2)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
D license may be exercised shall be from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight.
[Amended 10-25-2022 by Bill No. 1527]
[Added 7-14-2020 by Bill
No. 1447]
A.
Beer on-premises
license, Class DBR.
(1)
General
provisions. A Class DBR on-premises license shall be issued only to
the holder of a State of Maryland issued Class 5 brewery license,
and shall authorize the holder thereof to sell beer fermented and
brewed by the license holder at the brewery for on-premises consumption,
in addition to those privileges granted to the holder by the state.
(2)
On-site
consumption permit. A Class DBR on-premises license shall serve as
the on-site consumption permit and the license equivalent to a Class
D license specified under Md. Code Ann., Alcoholic Beverages Art.,
§ 2-207(f).
(3)
The
total amount of beer sold each year for on-premises consumption under
the Class DBR on-premises license must not exceed 5,000 beer barrels
annually. The holder must provide information related to the number
of beer barrels sold upon request by enforcement authorities.
(4)
Hours.
The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class DBR on-premises
license may be exercised shall be from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
(5)
No
alcoholic beverages are to be sold for off-premises consumption except
as allowed by the holder's state-issued Class 5 brewery license.
(6)
If
the holder's state-issued Class 5 brewery license expires or is suspended
or revoked by the State of Maryland, the Class DBR on-premises license
shall also automatically be suspended or revoked, as the case may
be.
A.
Beer, wine and liquor license, Class E (off-sale), alcohol dispensaries.
(1)
General provisions. A Class E beer, wine and liquor license shall
be issued only to an alcohol dispensary, and shall authorize the holder
thereof to keep for sale and sell all alcoholic beverages, at retail,
in any quantity to any consumers, at the place described in the license,
in a sealed package or container, which package or container shall
not be opened nor its contents consumed on the premises where sold.
(2)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
E license may be exercised shall be from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight.
[Amended 10-25-2022 by Bill No. 1527]
(3)
Wine and beer tasting, alcohol dispensaries. Other provisions of
this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, the holder of a valid
Class E license that is also an alcohol dispensary shall be authorized
to serve not more than one ounce from no more than three bottles or
containers of wine or beer to any one person for sampling or tasting
purposes. Once opened, any bottles or containers of wine or beer to
be sampled shall be accurately and specifically marked for sampling
or tasting purposes only or shall be discarded and shall not be offered
for sale. The contents of any bottle or container opened for sampling
or tasting purposes shall not be mixed with any other bottle or container.
Any wine or beer sampling or tasting authorized by this section shall
be permitted on the licensed premises only.
(4)
Notwithstanding the limitation on issuance of Class E licenses to alcohol dispensaries in Subsection A(1) above, any holder of a Class E license, except for any pharmacy, that was lawfully issued and validly existing on the effective date of this chapter shall be entitled to renew the same at the existing location, provided that all such applications for renewal otherwise comply with all then-existing ordinances, laws, and regulations, as amended from time to time. Any such Class E license held by or for the benefit of any pharmacy shall be entitled to renew the same at the existing location, provided that all alcoholic beverages shall be offered for sale exclusively within an enclosed area not exceeding 25% of the sales area, separated from the main sales area by permanent walls or partitions at least eight feet high, and all such sales shall be processed through a separate cashier within and dedicated to that area, and that all such applications for renewal otherwise comply with all then-existing ordinances, laws, and regulations, as amended from time to time.
(5)
Notwithstanding the limitations and restrictions upon the issuance of new off-sale licenses set forth in § 11-8D, any holder of a Class E license that was lawfully issued and validly existing on the effective date of this chapter shall be entitled to renewal of such license as set forth in Subsection A(4), above, without regard to compliance with the market test in § 11-8D.
B.
Beer, wine and liquor license, Class F (on- and off-sale), hotels
and restaurants.
(1)
General provisions. A Class F beer, wine and liquor license shall authorize the holder thereof to keep for sale and sell all alcoholic beverages, at retail, at any hotel or restaurant qualified under Subsection B(2) hereof. All sales shall be for consumption on the premises only, at the place described in the license. Wine and beer may be sold for consumption on the premises and elsewhere.
(a)
No new Class F licenses shall issue after the effective date
of this chapter. Upon expiration of an existing Class F license, all
licensees holding a Class F license lawfully issued and validly existing
on the effective date of this chapter shall be entitled to apply for
and obtain both a Class B-R license and a Class F-A license for the
premises described in the Class F license, provided that all such
applications for renewal otherwise comply with all then-existing ordinances,
laws, and regulations, as amended from time to time.
(b)
Upon the expiration of an existing Class F license, any renewal application for the place described in the existing license shall also include all information required to obtain a caterer's endorsement in accordance with § 11-6A. Subject to all requirements otherwise applicable to a caterer's endorsement, all licensees holding an existing Class F license that was lawfully issued and validly existing on the effective date of this chapter shall be entitled to a caterer's endorsement as part of their renewal, unless the applicant affirmatively declines the same.
(2)
Requirements for license. A Class F license shall not be issued until
all requirements for licensing have been met and the place described
in the license is demonstrated to be:
(a)
A hotel having 25 or more bedrooms and regularly preparing and
serving food on the premises where alcoholic beverages are to be sold;
(b)
A restaurant which seats at least 20 persons, maintains a kitchen
staffed for serving food and provides a menu for at least two meals
per day on a regular basis, which may include a sandwich menu; or
(c)
A restaurant which seats at least 20 persons and maintains a
kitchen staffed for serving food, which is open within one hour after
the restaurant opens and is in continuous operation serving a full
menu until at least two hours before the restaurant closes.
(3)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
F license may be exercised shall be from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on
the following day.
[Amended 10-25-2022 by Bill No. 1527]
(4)
This section, § 11-5B, including without limitation the Class F license classification, and each paragraph and subparagraph, shall be repealed and of no further force or effect upon the later of:
(a)
The expiration of all existing Class F licenses; and
(b)
The issuance of Class B-R and Class F-A licenses to existing
Class F licensees entitled to receive the same for the place described
in the existing Class F license; and
(c)
Compliance with the requirements of Subsection B(1)(b), above, regarding issuance of caterer's endorsements; or
(d)
Expiration of the right to renew, without renewal, for existing
Class F licenses such that the transition from Class F to Class B-R
and Class F-A has been completed or waived for all existing Class
F licensees.
C.
Beer, wine and liquor license, Class F-A (on-sale), hotels and restaurants.
(1)
General provisions. A Class F-A beer, wine and liquor license shall
be issued only to a hotel or restaurant and shall authorize the holder
thereof to keep for sale and sell all alcoholic beverages, at retail,
for consumption on the premises only, at the place described in the
license.
(a)
The application for issuance or renewal of a Class F-A license shall include all information required to obtain a caterer's endorsement in accordance with § 11-6A. Subject to all requirements otherwise applicable to a caterer's endorsement, all Class F-A licenses issued or renewed after the effective date of this chapter shall include a caterer's endorsement as part of their issuance or renewal, unless the applicant affirmatively declines the same.
(2)
Requirements for license. A Class F-A license shall not be issued
until all requirements for licensing have been met.
(3)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
F-A license may be exercised shall be from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
on the following day.
[Amended 10-25-2022 by Bill No. 1527]
D.
Beer, wine and liquor license, Class G (on-sale), clubs.
(1)
General provisions. A Class G beer, wine and liquor license shall authorize the holder thereof to keep for sale and sell all alcoholic beverages, at retail, at any club qualified under Subsection D(2) hereof, at the place described in the license, for consumption on the premises only.
(2)
Requirements for license. A Class G license shall be issued only
to a club which is not operated for profit and which has had 50 or
more bona fide members paying dues of not less than $10 per annum
per member for five consecutive years immediately preceding the year
for which the license is to be issued. A Class G 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 had 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 to be issued.
(3)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
G license may be exercised shall be from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on
the following day.
[Amended 4-14-2015 by Bill No. 1301; 10-25-2022 by Bill No. 1527]
E.
Beer, wine and liquor license, Class GC (on-sale), golf courses.
(1)
General provisions. A Class GC beer, wine and liquor license shall authorize the holder thereof to keep for sale and sell all alcoholic beverages, at retail, at any golf course qualified under Subsection E(2) hereof, at the place described in the license, for consumption on the premises only.
(2)
Requirements for license. A Class GC license shall be issued only
to a golf course which is open to the public and has a golf course
with a minimum of 18 holes. A licensee may sell beer, wine and liquor
for consumption only on the land and in the buildings, including the
clubhouse, used for golfing purposes. A patron need not be seated
to be served.
(3)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
GC license may be exercised shall be from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
each day.
F.
Beer, wine and liquor license, Class B-F (on-sale), banquet facility.
(1)
General provisions. A Class B-F beer, wine and liquor license shall authorize the holder thereof to keep for sale and sell all alcoholic beverages, at retail, at any banquet facility qualified under Subsection F(2) hereof, at the place described in the license, for consumption on the premises only.
(2)
Requirements for license. The Class B-F license shall not be issued
until all requirements for licensing have been met and the place described
in the license is demonstrated to be a banquet facility that:
(3)
The Class B-F beer, light wine and liquor license authorizes the
holder to keep for sale, and sell at retail, beer, light wine, and
liquor for on-premises consumption only, provided that:
(a)
The beer, light wine, and liquor are only sold during the function;
(b)
The licensee may not sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises
consumption;
(c)
The licensee may not permit alcoholic beverages to be carried
off the premises; and
(d)
Food is furnished at the function where the alcoholic beverages
are provided.
(4)
The application for issuance or renewal of a Class B-F license shall include all information required to obtain a caterer's endorsement in accordance with § 11-6A. Subject to all requirements otherwise applicable to a caterer's endorsement, all Class B-F licenses issued or renewed after the effective date of this chapter shall include a caterer's endorsement as part of their issuance or renewal, unless the applicant affirmatively declines the same.
(5)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
B-F license may be exercised shall be from 12:00 noon to 2:00 a.m.
the following day.
[Amended 10-25-2022 by Bill No. 1527]
G.
Beer, wine and liquor license, Class B-T (on-sale), certain nonprofit
theaters.
(1)
General provisions. A Class B-T beer, wine, and liquor license shall
be issued only to nonprofit theaters and shall authorize the holder
thereof to keep for sale and sell beer, wine, and liquor at retail,
at the place described in the license, for consumption on the premises
only.
(2)
Requirements for license. A Class B-T license shall not be issued
until all requirements for licensing have been met.
(3)
Eligibility to purchase temporary license. Other provisions of this
chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, a holder of a Class B-T license
shall not by virtue thereof be prohibited from purchasing a special
beer, wine and liquor license, nor shall any bona fide club, society,
association or church be precluded from obtaining a special license
for use on the theater premises, provided that the holder of the Class
B-T license for the premises consents to the use of the special license.
(4)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
B-T license may be exercised shall be from 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight
each day; provided, however, that the sale and consumption of beer
and light wine shall be restricted to a period of time beginning two
hours before any scheduled entertainment and concluding one hour after
said entertainment.
(5)
Outdoor location. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary,
the holder of a Class B-T license may sell alcohol under such license
at a second location, as approved by the Talbot County Board of Liquor
License Commissioners ("the Board") after a hearing, subject to the
following:
[Added 2-23-2021 by Bill
No. 1469]
(a)
The
second location is an outdoor facility equipped to present regular
programming of the theater;
(b)
The
zoning authority exercising control over the area where the outdoor
theater is located grants approval;
(c)
The
owner of the property where the outdoor theater is located grants
approval;
(d)
Operation
of the outdoor theater shall comply with all applicable noise laws,
rules, and regulations;
(e)
All
restrictions applicable to a Class B-T license holder under this chapter
apply at the outdoor theater, including, without limitation, hours
of operation and the requirement that servers have completed alcohol
awareness training;
(f)
The
holder of the Class B-T license applies to the Board for approval
of the outdoor theater location on a form approved of by the Board;
(g)
Notice and the hearing before the Board shall be the same as and proceed in accordance with § 11-10A of this chapter;
(h)
The County Council may establish an application fee for the outdoor theater application as provided for in § 11-10B of this chapter; and
(i)
Upon a finding by the Board that a violation of this chapter has occurred at either the primary premises shown on the license or the outdoor theater location, the Board may suspend or revoke the Class B-T license, or impose a fine, in accordance with § 11-14 of this chapter, in case of which, the suspension or revocation shall be applicable to both the primary premises shown on the license and the outdoor theater location.
H.
Beer, wine and liquor license, Class I (on- and off-sale), alcohol
dispensary bistros.
[Added 12-12-2017 by Bill
No. 1377]
(1)
General provisions. A Class I beer, wine and liquor license shall
be issued only to an alcohol dispensary bistro and shall authorize
the holder thereof to keep and sell alcoholic beverages at the place
described in the license, for consumption on- and off-premises as
provided herein:
(a)
On-sale. The holder of a Class I license shall be authorized
to keep for sale and sell craft beer and wine at retail for consumption
on premises. Alcoholic beverages other than craft beer and wine shall
not be sold or served for consumption on-premises.
(b)
Off-sale. The holder of a Class I license shall be authorized to keep for sale and sell, at retail, beer, wine, and liquor in a sealed package or container for consumption off premises, which package or container shall not be opened nor its contents consumed on the premises where sold, except for craft beer and wine, which may be sold or served by the license holder for consumption on premises in accordance with § 11-5H(1)(a), above.
(2)
Food service. The holder of a Class I license shall offer food to
patrons consisting of hors d'oeuvres, appetizers, small savory dishes,
such as cheeses, breads, and cured meats, cold sandwiches, and desserts,
which shall be available at all times craft beer and wine is sold
or served for consumption on-premises.
(3)
Bistro area. In this section, "bistro area" means the area of the
licensed premises dedicated to the sale or service of craft beer and
wine for consumption on premises. "Bistro area" includes, without
limitation, seating areas, service areas, and kitchen and food preparation
areas. The bistro area shall be specifically designated and clearly
marked on a plan to be reviewed and approved by the Board. On-premises
consumption of craft beer and wine and food service may only occur
in the bistro area. Nothing in this section shall preclude the license
holder from placing racks or displays containing sealed packages or
containers of alcoholic beverages in the bistro area; provided, however,
that liquor and beer other than craft beer shall not be consumed in
the bistro area.
[Amended 9-12-2023 by Bill No. 1547]
(4)
Wine and beer tasting. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section
or this chapter to the contrary, the holder of a Class I license shall
be authorized to serve not more than one ounce from no more than three
bottles or containers of wine or beer to any one person for sampling
or tasting purposes. Once opened, any bottles or containers of wine
or beer to be sampled shall be accurately and specifically marked
for sampling or tasting purposes only or shall be discarded and shall
not be offered for sale. The contents of any bottle or container opened
for sampling or tasting purposes shall not be mixed with any other
bottle or container. Any wine or beer sampling or tasting authorized
by this section shall be permitted on the licensed premises only.
(5)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
I license may be exercised are as follows:
(a)
On-sale. The bistro area, as defined in § 11-5H(3), above, may be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; provided, however, that the bistro area may only be open when the off-sale portion of the business is also open.
[Amended 9-12-2023 by Bill No. 1547]
(b)
Off-sale. The off-sale portion of the business may be open from
6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight.
[Amended 10-25-2022 by Bill No. 1527]
(6)
Interim fee. In accordance with § 11-10B of this chapter, the County Council of Talbot County shall establish the fee for a Class I license in the Annual Budget and Appropriations Ordinance. Until such time as the County Council has done so, the fee for a Class I license shall be $2,500. Once the County Council has established a Class I license fee in the budget, this § 11-5H(6) shall automatically be of no further force or effect.
[Added 2-25-2020 by Bill
No. 1442]
A.
Distillery
on-premises license, Class K.
(1)
General
provisions. A Class K distillery on-premises license shall be issued
only to a distillery, as defined in this chapter, and shall authorize
the holder thereof to sell, at retail, mixed drinks made from liquor
that the holder has produced that is mixed with other nonalcoholic
ingredients for consumption on the premises of the distillery only.
(2)
Requirements
for license. A Class K distillery on-premises license shall not be
issued until all requirements for licensing have been met.
(3)
Hours.
The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class K distillery
on-premises license may be exercised shall be from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00
p.m.
(4)
The
total amount of distilled spirits sold in mixed drinks under the Class
K distillery on-premises license must not exceed an aggregate of 7,750
gallons annually. The holder must provide information related to the
number of gallons sold upon request by enforcement authorities.
(5)
No
alcoholic beverages are to be sold for off-premises consumption except
as allowed by the holder's state-issued distillery license.
(6)
If
the holder's state-issued distillery license expires or is suspended
or revoked by the State of Maryland, the distillery on-premises license
is suspended or revoked automatically.
A.
Caterer's endorsement.
(1)
Caterer defined. In this section, "caterer" means a Class B, Class
B-F, B-R, or Class F-A license holder who contracts to provide food
and alcoholic beverages to sponsors of public or private events held
at specific locations within Talbot County off the licensed premises.
(2)
General provisions. A caterer's endorsement shall be issued only
to holders of a Class B, Class B-F, Class B-R, or a Class F-A license.
The endorsement shall authorize the holder thereof to sell the alcoholic
beverages permitted for the class of license at locations within Talbot
County for which no other license has been issued. Other provisions
of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, the holder of a Class
B, Class B-F, Class B-R or Class F-A license shall not be prohibited
from simultaneously holding a caterer's endorsement, if otherwise
approved. The Board shall be authorized to issue a caterer's endorsement
to holders of a Class B, Class B-F, Class B-R, or Class F-A license
who meet the requirements for issuance of the caterer's endorsement
and who are otherwise entitled to renewal of their license.
(3)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a caterer's
endorsement may be exercised shall be the same as the hours permitted
for the class of license.
(4)
Requirement to provide food. The holder of a caterer's endorsement
shall provide food as well as alcoholic beverages at catered events.
(5)
Location.
(a)
The holder of a caterer's endorsement shall not provide alcoholic
beverages at the same location for more than five consecutive days
or more than a total of 15 days in any calendar year without first
obtaining the written permission of the Board.
(b)
The holder of a caterer's endorsement shall not provide alcoholic
beverages at any location which is owned or leased by the license
holder or in which the license holder has any financial interest.
This subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting catering alcoholic
beverages at any legitimate club or fraternal organization to which
the license holder belongs or at the holder's residence.
B.
Special festival endorsement.
(1)
Special festival defined. In this section, "special festival" means
a special event held on an irregularly scheduled basis for the purpose
of promoting wines or beers produced by one or more wineries, vintners
or microbreweries.
(2)
General provisions. A special festival endorsement shall be issued
only to holders of Class A, B, E, F or F-A licenses. The endorsement
shall authorize the holder thereof to sell or serve beer or wine by
the glass to patrons on the site of the special festival during the
specified hours of the event and to sell at retail, in any quantity,
to patrons of the event wines or beer offered for tasting at the event,
in sealed packages or containers, which packages or containers shall
not be opened nor the contents thereof consumed on the site of the
festival. Other provisions of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding,
the holder of a Class A, B, E, F or F-A license shall not be prohibited
from simultaneously holding a special festival endorsement, if otherwise
approved. The Board shall be authorized to utilize an abbreviated
procedure for the issuance of a special festival endorsement to holders
of a Class A, B, E, F or F-A license who are in good standing at the
time of the application.
[Amended 7-14-2020 by Bill No. 1447]
(3)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a special
festival endorsement may be exercised shall be the same as the hours
permitted for the class of license.
(4)
Limits on number of endorsements. A special festival endorsement
shall not be issued for more than two consecutive days, and no more
than four endorsements shall be issued to a license holder in any
calendar year.
A.
Special beer and light wine license, Class H (on-sale), seven days.
(1)
General provisions. A Class H special beer and light wine license
shall entitle the holder thereof to keep for sale and sell beer and
light wine, at retail, at the place described in the license, in conjunction
with any bona fide entertainment conducted by a club, society, association
or church, for consumption on the premises only, for a period not
exceeding seven consecutive days from the effective date of the license.
The Board shall be authorized to utilize an abbreviated procedure
for the issuance of a Class H license.
(2)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
H license may be exercised shall be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
each day; provided, however, that the sale and consumption of beer
and light wine shall be restricted to a period of time beginning two
hours before the scheduled entertainment and concluding one hour after
said entertainment.
[Amended 4-14-2015 by Bill No. 1300]
B.
Special beer, wine and liquor license, Class J (on-sale), seven days.
(1)
General provisions. A Class J special beer, wine and liquor license
shall entitle the holder thereof to keep for sale and sell all alcoholic
beverages, at retail, at the place described in the license, in conjunction
with any bona fide entertainment conducted by a club, society, association
or church, for consumption on the premises only, for a period not
exceeding seven consecutive days from the effective date of the license.
The Board shall be authorized to utilize an abbreviated procedure
for the issuance of a Class J license.
(2)
Hours. The hours during which the privileges conferred by a Class
J license may be exercised shall be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
each day; provided, however, that the sale and consumption of beer,
wine and liquor shall be restricted to a period of time beginning
two hours before the scheduled entertainment and concluding one hour
after said entertainment.
[Amended 4-14-2015 by Bill No. 1300]
C.
Disposal-of-stock license (10 days). A disposal-of-stock license
of any class shall entitle the holder thereof to exercise the privileges
of the class of license for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive
days, for the purpose of disposing of the license holder's stock of
alcoholic beverages, in cases where a license has been revoked, canceled,
suspended or renewal denied. A disposal-of-stock license shall authorize
the sale of the license holder's stock at retail or to one or more
holders of wholesale licenses, and such holders of wholesale licenses
are hereby authorized to purchase such stock. The holder of a disposal-of-stock
license is not authorized to purchase alcoholic beverages for the
purpose of resale under this license.
D.
Temporary removal license. A temporary removal license of any class
shall entitle the holder thereof to temporarily move the licensed
premises from one location to another, when the relocation is necessitated
by fire or other catastrophe. The privileges of a temporary removal
license may be exercised while the originally licensed premises are
being restored, for a period to be established by the Board, but not
to exceed six months. No fee shall be charged for a temporary removal
license, provided that any renewal fees which are due during the continuance
of the license are paid on time. The Board shall be required to approve,
as in the case of the original application, the new location to which
the license holder temporarily relocates.
A.
License requirements for corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, club or association.
(1)
A license application made for a corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, club or other association (whether incorporated or unincorporated)
shall also be applied for by and shall be issued to two or more individuals
who are authorized to act for the entity and who are officers, directors,
stockholders or employees of the corporation; members or employees
of the limited liability company; partners of the partnership; or
officers, directors or members of the club or association. If an entity
has a sole owner, only that individual shall be required to apply
for and be issued a license. The individual license holders shall
be residents of Talbot County or a contiguous county. The application
shall also set forth the names and addresses of all of the directors
and officers of a corporation, club or association, all of the members
of a limited liability company, or all of the partners of a partnership
and shall be signed by the appropriate officers of the entity, as
well as by the two or more individuals to whom the license shall be
issued for the use of the entity. Every application for a license
shall disclose the name, all trade names and all addresses of the
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, club or association,
as well as the name and business and home address of the individual
applicants.
(2)
The individual license holders and the corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, club or association shall assume all responsibilities,
individually, jointly and severally, and shall be subject to all of
the penalties, conditions and restrictions imposed upon license holders
under the provisions of this chapter.
B.
No more than two licenses for same person. No more than two licenses
provided by this chapter, except by way of renewal, shall be issued
to any individual or to any person for the use of any corporation,
limited liability company, partnership, club or association.
C.
Zoning restrictions. No license provided by this chapter shall be
issued or utilized in a manner which will result in a violation of
any zoning ordinance or other statutory land use restriction of the
County or the incorporated municipality in which the place of business
proposed to be licensed is located. No new license shall be issued
for any use not specifically provided in this chapter. To the extent
of any inconsistency between the definitions of use in this chapter
and any land use ordinance, the definitions that are more restrictive
or stringent shall prevail.
D.
Restriction upon off-sale licenses, market test, grandfathering.
(1)
New off-sale licenses shall be issued only to alcohol dispensaries,
alcohol dispensary bistros, supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, hotels,
and convenience stores.
[Amended 12-12-2017 by Bill No. 1377]
(a)
Notwithstanding the limitation in Subsection D(1) on issuance of new off-sale licenses, any holder of an off-sale license, except for any pharmacy, that was lawfully issued and validly existing on the effective date of this chapter shall be entitled to renew the same at the existing location, provided that all such applications for renewal otherwise comply with all then-existing ordinances, laws, and regulations, as amended from time to time. Pharmacies shall be governed by the provisions in § 11-5A(4) and (5).
(b)
Notwithstanding the limitation in Subsection D(1) on issuance of new off-sale licenses, a gas station for which a Class A off-sale beer and light wine license had been issued, but which is no longer in full force and effect on the effective date of this chapter due to voluntary nonrenewal, may reapply for a new Class A license for the same location at any time within one year after the effective date of this chapter.
(2)
Except for Class A licenses for supermarkets and Class I licenses
for alcohol dispensary bistros issued to the holder of a Class E license
to replace the Class E license, off-sale licenses are subject to the
following requirements. The Board shall limit and restrict the number
of new off-licenses as set forth in this section.
[Amended 12-12-2017 by Bill No. 1377]
(a)
The Board may issue a new off-sale license if the total population
within the service area equals or exceeds 750 persons for all existing
off-sale licenses and the newly proposed license.
(b)
The service area shall be determined as follows:
[1]
For a proposed urban location, the service area shall include
all census blocks within a radius of two miles from the site of the
proposed new license.
[2]
For a proposed rural location, the service area shall include
all census blocks within a radius of five miles from the site of the
proposed new license.
(3)
All census blocks in Talbot County from the most recent decennial
census within, intersected by, or touching the service area shall
be used to determine the total population within the service area.
(4)
For purposes of this section, an "urban location" is a proposed site
within a municipality and a "rural location" is a proposed site outside
a municipality.
(5)
The formula for determining whether a new off-sale license may be
issued is:
|
R = P – (750 x N)
| |||
|
Where:
| |||
|
R
|
=
|
Remainder (must be equal to or greater than 750 for new off-sale
license).
| |
|
P
|
=
|
Total population within service area.
| |
|
N
|
=
|
Total number of existing off-sale licenses, (Classes A, B-R,
D, E, and F) within the service area, excluding the proposed new off-sale
license and excluding existing Class A licenses for supermarkets.
| |
(6)
New off-sale licenses shall be at least 500 feet from public or private
schools, public parks, except for Thompson Park at the intersection
of Washington Street and Dover Street in the Town of Easton when issued
to a Class I alcohol dispensary bistro, and correctional facilities.
Licensees holding off-sale licenses lawfully issued and validly existing
on the effective date of this chapter shall be permitted to renew
and maintain such licenses at existing locations, provided that all
such applications for renewal otherwise comply with all then-existing
ordinances, laws, and regulations, as amended from time to time.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Bill No. 1389]
(7)
In addition to the requirements of this section, an applicant for
a new off-sale license must meet all other applicable criteria.
Every application for a new license shall be made to the Board
and shall be accompanied by the specified application and license
fees. The application shall contain the following:
A.
The class of license desired.
B.
The name and residence of each individual applicant and how long
each has resided at the stated address and the name and address of
any entity on behalf of which the individual applicants seek a license.
C.
A statement that each individual applicant is a resident of Talbot
County or a contiguous county.
D.
A statement that each individual applicant is a citizen of the United
States, including the place of birth of each applicant and, if a naturalized
citizen, when and where naturalized.
E.
A statement that each individual applicant is not less than 21 years
of age.
F.
The particular place for which the license is desired, designating
the street name and number, and also a description of the portion
of the building in which the business will be conducted.
G.
The name of the owner of the premises upon which the business sought
to be licensed is to be carried on.
H.
A statement that none of the individual applicants has ever been
convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
and a further statement as to whether any of them has ever been adjudged
guilty of violating the laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages,
controlled dangerous substances, or gambling in the State of Maryland,
any other state, or of the United States or any foreign country. The
Board shall have the authority to obtain criminal records on any applicant
for an alcoholic beverage license prior to the issuance of the license,
and the applicant, as part of the application, shall provide whatever
consents, authorizations, or releases of information are necessary
for this purpose.
I.
A statement that each individual applicant has a pecuniary interest
in, employment relationship with, or is authorized to act on behalf
of the entity seeking the license, including the nature of each applicant's
relationship to any entity having an interest in the business.
J.
A statement that none of the individual applicants has had a license
for the sale of alcoholic beverages revoked.
K.
A statement identifying any other premises or entity holding a liquor
license in which any of the individual applicants or the entity they
represent has an interest and identifying any other license issued
pursuant to this chapter from which any of the individual applicants
or the entity receives any revenue directly or indirectly.
L.
A statement as to whether any of the individual applicants or the
entity has ever had a license for the sale of alcoholic beverages
and, if so, in what state and at what location.
M.
A statement that no manufacturer, brewer, distiller or wholesaler
of alcoholic beverages has any financial interest, directly or indirectly,
in the premises or business of the applicant and that the applicant
will not thereafter convey or grant to any such manufacturer, brewer,
distiller or wholesaler any such interest, except as otherwise permitted
in this chapter, and that the applicant, at the time of making the
application, has no indebtedness or other financial obligations and
will not thereafter incur any such indebtedness or other financial
obligations, directly or indirectly, to any manufacturer, brewer,
distiller or wholesaler of alcoholic beverages other than for the
purchase of alcoholic beverages. Applicants for a Class K distillery
on-premises license, and a Class DBR on-premises license shall be
exempt from this requirement. Applicants for a Class B beer and light
wine license or Class F-A beer, light wine and liquor license may
also hold a state-issued Class 6 pub-brewery or Class 7 microbrewery
license that operates out of the same premises as their local license,
but otherwise shall meet the requirements of this subsection.
[Amended 2-25-2020 by Bill No. 1442; 7-14-2020 by Bill No. 1447]
N.
A statement, duly executed and acknowledged by the owner of the premises
upon which the business is to be conducted, assenting to the granting
of the license applied for and authorizing the Comptroller of the
State of Maryland, his duly authorized deputies, inspectors and clerks,
the Talbot County Board of Liquor License Commissioners, its duly
authorized agents and employees, any Talbot County Alcoholic Beverages
Inspector, deputy, or assistant, any peace officer of Talbot County
and any peace officer of any incorporated municipality in which the
business is to be conducted to inspect and search, without warrant,
the premises upon which the business is to be conducted, and any and
all parts of the building in which the business is to be conducted,
at any and all hours. The statement shall contain an acknowledgment
that any evidence discovered during any lawful inspection of licensed
buildings or premises shall be admissible in any prosecution for violation
of this chapter, and shall be admissible in any hearing for revocation,
suspension, or restriction of the license of the person, firm, corporation
or association who has obtained a license to sell alcoholic beverages
in such building or premises.
O.
A certificate signed by at least 10 citizens, who shall be owners
of real estate and registered voters of the precinct in which the
business is to be conducted, setting forth the length of time each
has been acquainted with the applicant or, in the case of a corporation,
with the individuals making the application. The certificate must
state that the signers thereof have examined the application and have
good reason to believe that all the statements contained in the application
are true, that they are of the opinion that the applicant is a suitable
person to obtain the license, and that they are familiar with the
premises upon which the proposed business is to be conducted and believe
the premises are suitable for the conduct of the business of a retail
dealer in alcoholic beverages. The requirements of this section do
not apply to applications for special or temporary (Class H and Class
J) licenses.
P.
Proof of a valid food service facility permit from the Talbot County
Health Department must be shown for those classes of licenses which
require the serving of food as a condition of the license or where
the applicant is engaged in a business which requires such a permit.
[Amended 7-14-2020 by Bill No. 1447]
Q.
Proof of compliance with the current provisions of the State Fire
Prevention Code from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
A.
General provisions.
(1)
Published notice. Before the Board shall approve any new license,
the Board shall cause a notice of such application to be published
once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation
in Talbot County. The notice shall specify the names of the individual
applicants and any entity they represent, the type of license applied
for and the location of the place of business proposed to be licensed
as well as the date, time and location fixed by the Board for a hearing
upon the application. The hearing shall be not less than seven days
nor more than 30 days after the last publication.
(2)
Posting of property.
(a)
Whenever a hearing upon a license application is scheduled,
the place of business proposed to be licensed shall be posted at least
15 days prior to the hearing date by the erection of a sign to be
furnished by the Board. Such sign shall be erected by the person(s)
making application, within 10 feet of whatever boundary line of the
property abuts the most traveled public road and, if no public road
abuts thereon, then facing in such a manner as most readily may be
seen by the public, as designated by the Board. The bottom of the
sign shall not be less than three feet from the ground. The sign furnished
by the Board shall not be less than two feet high and two feet wide,
and shall bear the words: NOTICE – APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE
FOR A LIQUOR LICENSE AT THIS LOCATION. Talbot County Board of Liquor
License Commissioners (410) 770-8019.
(b)
At the hearing, it shall be the duty of the applicant to prove
by affidavit that he has fully complied with this provision and has
continuously maintained the sign in compliance with this provision
up to the time of the hearing. Any sign required to be posted by this
provision shall be maintained in a visible location and free from
obstruction until after the public hearing is held, and such sign
shall be removed within five days after the public hearing.
(3)
Notice to local jurisdiction and adjacent property owners. Whenever a hearing upon a license application is scheduled, the Board shall give at least 15 days' notice of the time and place of such hearing to be mailed by regular United States mail, first class postage prepaid, to the applicant, to the governing body of the local jurisdiction in which the place of business proposed to be licensed is located, and to the owners of all property contiguous to the place of business proposed to be licensed and of all properties opposite said property measured at right angles to any intervening road or street. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to furnish the Board with a complete, accurate and up-to-date list of all such property owners. The notice shall be directed to the address to which the real estate tax bill on the property is sent. The notice shall contain the same information as the published notice required in Subsection A(1) hereof. For purposes of this section, the term "contiguous property owner" is to include owners of property within 1,000 feet of the subject property, whose line of sight to the subject property is entirely over water. Failure of a person to receive the notice prescribed in this section shall not impair the validity of the hearing.
(4)
Hearing. At the time fixed by the notice for a hearing upon an application
or upon the continuance of any such hearing, the individual applicants
and representatives of the entity seeking a license shall have the
first opportunity to be heard by the Board and to present evidence
to the Board; provided, however, that the Board may stipulate that
after the expiration of a reasonable predetermined amount of time,
the applicant's presentation may be interrupted to permit opponents
an opportunity to be heard. Thereafter, any interested person in attendance
shall be heard by the Board on either side of the question. The applicant
shall have the final opportunity to address the Board at the conclusion
of all testimony or evidence. The Board shall make an adequate record
of its proceedings so as to permit judicial review. The costs of reproduction
of the record shall be borne by the person seeking the copy.
(5)
Findings.
(a)
If the Board determines that the granting of the license is not necessary for the accommodation of the public, or that the applicants are not fit persons to receive the license applied for, or have made a material false statement in the application, or have practiced fraud in connection with said application, or that the operation of the business, if the license is granted, will unduly disturb the peace of the residents of the neighborhood in which the place of business is to be located, or the applicant for an off-sale license does not satisfy the requirements of § 11-8D, or that there are other substantial reasons in the discretion of the Board why the license should not be issued, then the application shall be disapproved and the license applied for shall be refused. If no such findings are made by the Board, then the Board shall approve the application and issue the license upon the applicant's payment of the required fee.
(b)
Within 30 days of the conclusion of the hearing, the Board shall
issue a written decision setting forth its factual determinations,
its decision concerning the license in question, and the basis for
its decision.
(c)
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Board who appeared
at the hearing before the Board shall have 30 days after the issuance
of the Board's decision to appeal the decision to the Circuit Court
for Talbot County.
B.
License and application fees. The license and application fees applicable
to each class of license shall be established by the County Council
of Talbot County in the Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance.
All fees collected under this chapter shall be remitted to the Talbot
County Finance Office. The salaries of the Board, together with the
necessary office, clerical and investigational expenses of the Board,
shall be paid by the County Council, as approved in the Annual Budget
and Appropriation Ordinance adopted by the County Council. The balance
of all fee revenue collected under this chapter which is not expended
on the approved salaries and expenses of the Board shall be devoted
to the general purposes of the County as approved by the County Council.
C.
Refund of license fees. No holder of any class of license shall be
entitled to a refund of the unused portion of the fee paid for a license
upon surrender thereof, except:
(1)
In the event of receivership or bankruptcy of the business if a transfer
is not requested, and in such case the refund shall be made for the
benefit of the creditors of the license holder;
(2)
In the event of the death of the license holder, and in such case
the refund shall be made for the benefit of the estate of the deceased
license holder;
(3)
In the event that the license holder has volunteered for or been
called into the Armed Forces of the United States;
(4)
In the event that a license holder of one class surrenders the license
and obtains a license of another class carrying a higher fee, in which
case, the refund shall be deducted from the amount of the fee to be
paid for the newly obtained license; or
(5)
In the event that the licensed premises are taken by the federal
government, the state or any city or municipality for public use.
D.
License forms; date of issue and expiration. Only licenses authorized
under the provisions of this chapter may be issued by the Board. Every
license issued shall be upon forms prescribed by the Board. Each license
shall be dated as of the date of issue and shall expire on the April
30 next after its issuance, except temporary licenses and special
licenses, which shall expire as otherwise provided.
E.
Pro rata license fees. Every license issued for a period of less
than one year (except temporary or special licenses) shall be subject
to the annual fee if issued during the first three months of the license
year; 3/4 of the annual fee if issued during the second quarter of
the license year; 1/2 of the annual fee if issued during the third
quarter of the license year; and 1/4 of the annual license fee if
issued during the fourth quarter of the license year.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
F.
Successive applications. If a license is refused, no application
for the same license shall be considered from the same applicant for
the same premises for a period of one year.
A.
Application for renewal. The holder or holders of any expiring license
other than special licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter
shall, not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days before the first
day of May of each year, file a written application, duly verified
by oath, for the renewal of the license with the Board. The renewal
application shall state either that the facts in the original application
are unchanged or shall clearly and completely identify all such changes,
based on which the Board may, in its discretion, treat the renewal
application as a new application. The renewal application shall be
accompanied by a statement, signed by the owner of the premises, consenting
to the renewal of the license and to search and seizure as in the
case of the original application. A statement of consent shall not
be required if the owner has previously signed such a statement in
connection with an original application or previous renewal application
giving consent for the term of the owner's lease with the applicant.
Upon the filing of the renewal application and the payment of the
prescribed annual fee, the holder or holders of an expiring license
shall be entitled to a new license for another year without the filing
of further statements or the furnishing of any further information,
unless such information is specifically requested by the Board. Renewal
licenses shall be administratively approved without a hearing before
the Board, unless a protest signed by not less than 10 residents or
property owners in the County election district in which the licensed
place of business is located has been filed against the granting of
a renewal license at least 30 days before the expiration of the license
for which renewal is sought. The Board may, upon its own initiative,
after notice to the applicant, treat a renewal application as an original
application. In the event of a protest or in the event that the Board
determines, in the exercise of its discretion, to treat a renewal
application as an original application, then the application shall
be heard and determined as in the case of an original application.
In such cases, the Board may consider evidence concerning the impact
of the licensed establishment upon the peace and repose of the community.
A factual finding, based upon clear and convincing evidence that the
licensed establishment has significantly and regularly intruded upon
the peace and repose of the neighboring property owners so as to have
a deleterious impact upon the public health, safety and welfare, shall
be a sufficient basis for denial of the renewal application or the
limitation of the hours of operation of the license holder by the
Board.
B.
At the time of renewal of either a Class C or a Class G license, the individuals listed as holding the license on behalf of a club may, at the discretion of the Board, be deleted, or the names of additional individuals may be added to or substituted for any or all of the original license holders without the necessity of filing a formal application for transfer; provided, however, that the proposed license holders are otherwise qualified, and further provided that the President or Chief Executive Officer of the club shall certify that the individuals are authorized to act on behalf of the club. When a renewal application contains a request to add, delete or substitute individual license holders, the Board may approve the application, or require the filing of an application for transfer as provided in § 11-12C hereof.
C.
The procedural rules for a renewal hearing shall follow those set forth in § 11-10A hereof. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Board who appeared at the renewal hearing before the Board shall have 30 days after the issuance of the Board's decision to appeal the decision to the Circuit Court for Talbot County.
A.
License not property. Licenses issued under the provisions of this
chapter shall not be regarded as property or as conferring any property
rights. All such licenses shall be subject to suspension, restriction
or revocation and to all rules and regulations that may be adopted
as herein provided.
B.
Duplicates for lost licenses. Whenever a license issued under the
provisions of this chapter has been lost or destroyed, the official
issuing such licenses shall have the power, upon application under
oath and upon payment of a fee of $10, to issue another license, upon
which shall be endorsed the word "duplicate" in addition to all of
the information which appeared upon the original license.
C.
Transfer of licenses.
(1)
General procedure. Any holder of a license under the provisions of this chapter, including a receiver or trustee for the benefit of creditors, may, in the discretion of the Board, be permitted to transfer his place of business to some other location and/or transfer his stock-in-trade to another person, provided that an application for such transfer and/or sale shall be made and approved by the Board, and that a bulk transfer permit is obtained where the stock of alcoholic beverages is to be transferred, whether by sale, gift, inheritance, assignment or otherwise and irrespective of whether or not consideration is paid. Except as provided in Subsection C(2) hereof or in § 11-11, the new location and/or assignee shall be approved as in the case of an original application for a license. Such transfer and/or assignment, when made, shall be reflected in the issuance of a new license or endorsed upon the original license by the official issuing the same upon payment of a fee of $10, in addition to the application fee, which shall be paid at the time of the filing of the application for transfer and/or sale. This section shall permit the transfer of class of license, location and the assignment of license in the same application.
(2)
Addition, deletion or substitution of license holders. When the entity which owns the business and the location of the business for which a license has been issued are to remain the same, no more than two, but fewer than all, of the persons listed on the license may be deleted and other persons may be substituted therefor by the submission of an application for review by the Board. The Board may provide a special application form for this purpose, which shall solicit all of the information relating to the new applicant which would be required of an original applicant, require the approval of the owners of the premises, require the certificate provided in § 11-8A, and require the consent of all license holders and of the persons whose names are to be added to those persons already listed on the license, and persons listed on the license may be deleted therefrom, in the manner provided herein, provided that the minimum number of persons required for said license shall be maintained. The Board may, in its discretion, either administratively approve said application or cause notice of the application to be published and a hearing to be conducted as in the case of an original application.
D.
License holder vacating premises. On the 10th day after the holder
of any license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall have
vacated or been evicted from the premises for which said license was
issued, said license shall expire unless an application for a transfer
thereof to another location or assignment to another person has been
approved or is then pending; provided, however, that the official
authorized to issue licenses may, in his discretion, postpone such
expiration for an additional period, not exceeding 20 days in any
case, to avoid any undue hardship.
E.
Display of licenses. Every person receiving a license under the provisions
of this chapter shall frame the license under glass and place the
framed license so that it shall at all times be conspicuous and easily
read in the place of business.
F.
Availability of chapter. Every license holder shall keep a copy of
this chapter in an area in the licensed premises where it is easily
accessible for reference when necessary. It is the responsibility
of the license holder to ensure that all employees or agents of the
license holder are advised of the provisions of this chapter. The
Board shall provide to each license holder on an annual basis either
a complete copy of the current version of this chapter or, at its
election, a copy of only those sections that have been amended during
the previous year.
G.
Death of license holder.
(1)
Upon the death of an individual license holder, the license shall
expire upon the close of the 90th day following the date of death
except as herein otherwise provided. In cases where the deceased is
the proprietor of the licensed premises, upon application to the Board
and upon the payment of a fee of $10 made by the personal representatives
of the deceased license holder, a certificate of permission may be
granted for the continuation of the business in the name of the personal
representatives for the benefit of the estate of the deceased for
a period not exceeding the balance of the current license year, or
the closing of the estate, whichever occurs first. In the event the
estate has not been closed upon the expiration of the license year,
the personal representatives may apply for renewal of the license,
and upon payment of the required annual license fee, a renewal license
may be granted; provided, however, that no application for a renewal
license hereunder may be made more than 18 months after the death
of the license holder. Such certificates of permission and renewal
licenses will be subject to the right of protest, revocation, suspension,
and restriction as in other cases, and during the continuation period,
the license holder and the personal representative of the deceased
shall be subject to all of the provisions of this chapter. The personal
representatives to which a certificate has been granted may assign
or transfer the license for the benefit of the estate, and upon the
approval of the application for the transfer or assignment, the license
shall be considered reinstated upon the payment of the balance of
the license fee which is due until the expiration of the license year.
(2)
If the licensed premises are operated for the benefit of a corporation,
limited liability company or partnership, another individual license
holder may be substituted for the deceased upon the filing of an application
as provided for herein, and the premises may continue to sell alcoholic
beverages pending approval of the new license holder.
(3)
An application for substitution of another license holder for the
deceased license holder shall be made within 90 days of the date of
death. Upon the filing of such an application, and until a decision
is made and issued as provided herein, the license shall continue
in full force and effect, subject to all other provisions of this
chapter.
H.
Hours of operation. The hours during which the privileges conferred
by a license may be exercised shall be defined as either Eastern standard
or daylight saving time, whichever is in effect on the date in question.
A.
General provisions. License holders are required to comply with all applicable provisions of this chapter and with all provisions of state law applicable to Talbot County by virtue of § 11-20 of this chapter, Md. Code Ann., Alcoholic Beverages Art., § 30-103, or Md. Code Ann., Article 25, § 3(ee).[1] Violation of any such provision is a misdemeanor and,
in addition to any criminal penalty, may result in administrative
sanctions, including revocation or suspension of any license issued
pursuant to this chapter or the imposition of a fine, or any combination
thereof.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
[1]
Editor's Note: Art. 25 was repealed by Acts 2013, C. 119,
§ 1, eff. 10-1-2013.
B.
Service by minors restricted.
(1)
No license holder shall allow a person to act in the capacity of
a bartender who is not at least 21 years of age. For the purposes
of this section, a "bartender" is any person who mixes or pours drinks
for consumption on the licensed premises.
(2)
No license holder shall allow a person to act in the capacity of
waiter or waitress who is required to take orders for alcoholic beverages
unless said waiter or waitress is at least 18 years of age.
(3)
No license holder of a beer and light wine license shall allow a
person to act in the capacity of a sales clerk authorized to sell
or offer for sale beer or light wine at retail who is not at least
18 years of age.
(4)
No license holder of a beer, wine and liquor license shall allow
a person to act in the capacity of a sales clerk authorized to sell
or offer for sale beer, wine or liquor at retail who is not at least
21 years of age.
C.
Sales to minors and intoxicated persons prohibited.
(1)
No license holder under the provisions of this chapter or any of
the license holder's employees or agents shall sell or furnish any
alcoholic beverages at any time to any person except in conformance
with the age limitations as established from time to time by the State
of Maryland.
(2)
No license holder or any of the license holder's employees or agents
shall sell or furnish any alcoholic beverages to any person who at
the time of such sale or delivery is visibly under the influence of
any alcoholic beverage.
(3)
A violation of this section by an employee or agent of a license
holder shall be deemed a violation by the license holder, who shall
be responsible for all alcoholic beverage sales in or upon the licensed
premises.
D.
Noise regulations. The Board may regulate the time and noise level
of the playing of mechanical music boxes, live music, and sound-making
devices that are used on licensed premises where the sound disturbs
the peace, tranquility, safety, and health of the surrounding neighborhood.
E.
Slot machine restriction. The Board shall be prohibited from issuing
a license under the provisions of this chapter to any entity at any
place at which one or more slot machines are located, maintained,
or operated, unless the entity is a fraternal, religious or veterans
nonprofit organization with a license to operate the slot machine(s)
issued by the Sheriff of Talbot County.
F.
Alcohol awareness training. All employees involved in the sale of
alcoholic beverages shall successfully complete training in an alcohol
awareness program within 180 days of the date of hire. The Liquor
Inspector may grant an extension not to exceed 60 days for licensees
with fewer than three employees whose businesses would suffer undue
hardship, due to circumstances beyond the licensee's reasonable control.
Any request for a waiver must be submitted, in writing, within 30
days and contain all grounds in support of the request.
(2)
Nothing in this section relieves the licensee from compliance with
any other applicable state requirements regarding alcohol awareness
training.
(3)
This section may not be construed to create or enlarge any civil
cause of action or criminal proceeding against a licensee.
(4)
Penalties. The Board shall impose the following penalties on any
licensee who violates this section within any seven-year period:
A.
General provisions.
(1)
Any license issued under the provisions of this chapter may be revoked
or suspended by the Board for any cause which in the judgment of the
Board is necessary to promote the peace or safety of the community
in which the place of business is situated. A license may be revoked
or suspended, and/or a fine imposed by the Board based upon, but not
limited to, any of the following findings:
(a)
Conviction of the license holder for violation of any of the
provisions of this chapter or of applicable state law regulating the
retail sale of alcoholic beverages.
(b)
Any finding of fact in a criminal proceeding that would be sufficient
to sustain a judgment or verdict of guilt for any violation of this
chapter or applicable state law regulating the retail sale of alcoholic
beverages, regardless of whether that finding is stricken and probation
before judgment is granted.
(c)
Failure or refusal of any license holder to comply with any
provisions of this chapter or any applicable state law, or any rule
or regulation that may be adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(d)
The making of any material false statement in any application
for a license.
(e)
A conviction of one or more of the clerks, agents, or employees
of a license holder for the violation of any of the provisions of
this chapter or applicable state law on the licensed premises.
(f)
A finding by the Board that one or more of the clerks, agents,
or employees of a license holder violated any of the provisions of
this chapter or of applicable state law on the licensed premises.
(g)
Three or more violations of any provision of Chapter 159, Article I, Talbot County Code, Smoking and Tobacco Products. For purposes of this subsection, the Board may not amend, modify, or decline to impose the requisite suspension upon any licensee for the period designated in § 159-9C(2) following a determination that the requisite violations have occurred.
(2)
For purposes of this section, a conviction is deemed to have occurred
whenever a person accused of a crime pleads guilty or nolo contendere
or is found guilty of an offense.
(3)
The following shall each be prima facie evidence of a violation:
(a)
A sale or delivery of an alcoholic beverage by a license holder
before or after the hours during which the privileges conferred by
the applicable license may be exercised.
(b)
An open container holding more than a trace of an alcoholic
beverage, prior to or more than 30 minutes after the hours during
which the privileges conferred by the applicable license may be exercised.
(c)
Live entertainment or playing of electronic entertainment other
than during the hours in which the privileges conferred by the applicable
license may be exercised.
(d)
Presence of person(s) on the premises prior to or more than
30 minutes after the hours during which the privileges conferred by
the applicable license may be exercised, other than by those listed
below:
(e)
The sale, delivery or furnishing of an alcoholic beverage by
a license holder, clerk, agent or employee of a license holder to
a minor on the licensed premises.
B.
Procedure for revocation or suspension.
(1)
The Board may, on its own initiative, or upon complaints by local citizens, or upon a complaint by the State's Attorney, any peace officer, or the County Health Officer, revoke or suspend any license issued under the provisions of this chapter or impose a monetary fine upon any license holder, or both. Such action shall not be taken until the Board has conducted a hearing upon the complaint, notice of which shall be mailed or delivered to the license holder at least 10 days before the hearing. Revocation or suspension hearings shall be conducted pursuant to § 11-10A of this chapter, except that the notification provisions thereof shall not apply. In addition, in a hearing under this section, the person or entity making the complaint to the Board shall be the first to present evidence to the Board; the license holder shall then present its evidence, to be followed by any further evidence to be presented by the complainant. The Board may permanently revoke or suspend a license for any period, or impose a fine, at its discretion, upon a finding that any provision of this chapter or any applicable state law has been violated, or upon a finding based upon clear and convincing evidence that the continued licensing of the premises in question constitutes a danger to the public health, safety, or welfare.
(2)
Within 30 days of the hearing, the Board shall issue its decision,
setting forth its findings, determination of any violations, and imposition
of any penalty, sanction or fine. If no decision is issued by the
Board within 30 days of the hearing, a finding of "no violation" shall
result.
A.
Any person or license holder violating the provisions of this chapter
shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall
be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for
not more than six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment; provided,
however, that if applicable state law provides a greater penalty,
the penalty provided by state law shall prevail.
B.
Anyone charged with selling or furnishing alcoholic beverages to a person not of legal age in violation of § 11-13C shall be found not guilty of said violation if such person establishes to the satisfaction of the jury, or the court sitting as a jury, that he used due caution to establish that such person was of legal age to purchase or be supplied alcoholic beverages. The granting of probation before judgment to a license holder or employee or agent of a license holder for any alleged violation of this chapter or applicable state law does not bar the Board from proceeding against the license holder for the violation.
C.
In lieu of suspending or revoking an alcoholic beverages license
pursuant to the terms of this chapter, the Board may hold any suspension
in abeyance and impose a fine for any violation of this chapter subject
to the following conditions:
(1)
The Board determines that the public welfare and safety will not
be impaired by allowing the license holder to operate during the suspension
period and that payment of the fine will achieve the desired disciplinary
purposes.
(2)
The fine assessed by the Board under this subsection shall not exceed
$1,000 for each violation.
(3)
All moneys collected under this subsection shall be deposited into
the general funds of Talbot County.
(4)
The Board shall have promulgated such rules and regulations as it
deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including
any conditions to be imposed on the license holder as a condition
of holding any such suspension in abeyance.
A.
It shall be unlawful in Talbot County for any bottle club to sell,
serve, give, dispense, keep or allow to be consumed on its premises,
or on premises under its control or possession, any alcoholic beverages,
setups or other component parts of mixed alcoholic drinks. As used
in this subsection, the term "bottle club" shall mean any club which
serves, sells, gives, or dispenses alcoholic beverages to its members
or guests, or which keeps for its members or guests any alcoholic
beverages, or which allows to be consumed on its premises any alcoholic
beverages, by its members or guests, which beverages have been reserved
or purchased by the members or guests; or any club at which patrons
are served, given, or allowed to consume alcoholic beverages after
legal closing hours from any supplies that the patrons have previously
purchased or reserved; or any club that sells, dispenses, serves,
keeps, or allows to be consumed any setups or other component parts
of mixed alcoholic drinks to its members or guests.
B.
Drive-through sales prohibited. A licensee shall not sell, offer
to sell, or dispense alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption
through a facility commonly known as a "walk-up" or "drive-through"
window.
A.
Notification requirements. To aid in the enforcement of this chapter,
it shall be the responsibility of all law enforcement personnel, including
members of the Maryland State Police, the Talbot County Sheriff's
Department, the Talbot County State's Attorney's Office, the Natural
Resources Police, and each of the municipal police departments in
Talbot County, to notify the Board of any violation citations issued
to any license holder under the provisions of this chapter, within
48 hours of the issuance of the citation. The Board shall notify law
enforcement personnel, including members of the Maryland State Police,
the Talbot County Sheriff's Department, the Talbot County State's
Attorney's Office, the Natural Resources Police, and the appropriate
municipal police department, of any license issued under the provisions
of this chapter which is revoked or suspended, or of any fines which
are imposed for a violation of this chapter.
B.
Chemical test report. For the purpose of establishing that physical
evidence in a criminal proceeding or administrative hearing under
the provisions of this chapter contains or constitutes alcohol or
an alcoholic beverage, a report signed by the chemist or analyst who
performed the test or tests as to its nature is prima facie evidence
that the material delivered to him was properly tested under procedures
approved by the Department of Health, that those procedures are legally
reliable, that the material was delivered to him by the officer or
person stated in the report, and that the material was or contained
alcohol, without the necessity of the chemist or analyst personally
appearing in court or at any hearing, provided the report identifies
the chemist or analyst as an individual certified by the Department
of Health, the Maryland State Police Department, the Baltimore City
Police Department, or any County police department employing analysts
of controlled dangerous substances or alcohol, as qualified under
standards approved by the Department of Health to analyze those substances,
states that he made an analysis of the substance under approved procedures
and also states that the substance, in his opinion, is or contains
alcohol. Nothing in this section precludes the right of any party
to introduce any evidence supporting or contradicting the evidence
contained in or the presumptions raised by the report.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
C.
Chain of custody.
(1)
In this section, "chain of custody" means the seizing officer; the
packaging officer, if the packaging officer is not also the seizing
officer; and the chemist or person who actually touched the substance
and not merely the outer sealed package in which the substance was
placed by the law enforcement agency before or during the analysis
of the substance.
(2)
"Chain of custody" does not include a person who handled the substance
in any form after analysis of the substance.
(3)
For the purpose of establishing, in a criminal proceeding or an administrative
hearing under the provisions of this chapter, the chain of physical
custody or control of evidence consisting of or containing a substance
tested or analyzed to determine whether it is or contains alcohol,
a statement signed by each successive person in the chain of custody
that the person delivered it to the other person indicated on or about
the date stated is prima facie evidence that the person had custody
and made the delivery as stated, without the necessity of a personal
appearance in court by the person signing the statement. The statement
shall contain a sufficient description of the material or its container
so as to distinguish it as the particular item in question and shall
state that the material was delivered in essentially the same condition
as received.
(4)
Nothing in this section precludes the right of any party to introduce
any evidence supporting or contradicting the evidence contained in
or the presumption raised by the statement.
D.
Presence of chemist or analyst at criminal proceeding.
(1)
In a criminal proceeding under the provisions of this chapter, the
prosecution shall, upon written demand of a defendant filed in the
proceedings at least five days prior to a trial in the proceeding,
require the presence of the chemist, analyst, or any person in the
chain of custody as a prosecution witness.
(2)
The provisions of § 11-17B and C concerning prima facie evidence do not apply to the testimony of that witness. The provisions of § 11-17B and C are applicable in a criminal proceeding only when a copy of the report or statement to be introduced is mailed, delivered, or made available to counsel for the defendant or to the defendant personally when the defendant is not represented by counsel, at least 10 days prior to the introduction of the report or statement at trial.
(3)
Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the defendant from
summoning a witness mentioned in this section as a witness for the
defense.
(4)
At an administrative proceeding, the reports described in Subsections B and C above shall be prima facie evidence without the presence of the chemist, analyst, or any person in the chain of custody. Nothing in this section prevents the license holder or any other party from summoning the chemist, analysts or any other person in the chain of custody.
E.
Physical evidence. For the purpose of establishing that physical
evidence in a criminal proceeding or an administrative hearing under
the provisions of this chapter contains or constitutes alcohol, a
sealed container in its original unopened condition which has a label
which states that it contains alcohol or is an alcoholic beverage
is prima facie evidence that the contents of the container are or
include alcohol or an alcoholic beverage.
A.
Appointment. The County Manager, with the approval of the Council,
shall appoint an Alcoholic Beverages Inspector and such deputies or
assistants as the Council may authorize from time to time. The Inspector,
his deputies and assistants, shall be known as the "Talbot County
Alcoholic Beverages Inspector" or "Inspector." After appointment,
an Inspector shall serve at will, and may be discharged by the County
Manager at any time with or without cause.
B.
Qualifications.
(1)
An Inspector shall not have been convicted of a felony or a
crime of moral turpitude.
(2)
A person may not qualify nor continue service as an Inspector
if the Inspector or the Inspector's immediate family has any personal
or financial interest, either directly or indirectly, in any license,
licensee, or in any premises licensed under the provisions of this
chapter, or in any business wholly or partially devoted to the manufacture,
distribution, or sale of alcoholic beverages.
(3)
An Inspector may not, during the entire term of his appointment,
hold any other public office, federal, state or local.
(4)
Before a person qualifies as an Inspector, the person shall:
(a)
Make an oath to faithfully perform the duties entrusted to him
as an Alcoholic Beverages Inspector pursuant to this chapter, as provided
in Article I, § 9, of the Constitution of Maryland; and
(b)
Furnish bond in the penalty sum of $10,000 to the Board and
the County Council jointly, conditioned "that the Inspector shall
well and faithfully execute the office of Talbot County Alcoholic
Beverages Inspector in all things appertaining thereto." The cost
of the bond shall be paid by the County.
An Inspector may not, during the entire term of his appointment:
A.
Solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, any commission, remuneration
or gift whatsoever from any:
B.
Engage in any occupation, business, or profession in any way connected
or associated with the manufacture, distribution, or sale of alcoholic
beverages;
C.
Transact any business of any kind whatsoever beyond their official
duties with any licensee, or in connection with the operation of any
establishment licensed for the manufacture, distribution, or sale
of alcoholic beverages;
D.
Have any interest, direct or indirect, either proprietary or by means
of any loan, mortgage or lien, or in any other manner, in or on any
premises where alcoholic beverages are manufactured, distributed,
or sold;
E.
Have any interest, direct or indirect, in any business wholly or
partially devoted to the manufacture, distribution, or sale of alcoholic
beverages; or
F.
Own any stock in any corporation which has any interest, proprietary
or otherwise, direct or indirect, in any premises where alcoholic
beverages are manufactured, distributed, or sold or in any business
wholly or partially devoted to the manufacture, distribution, or sale
of alcoholic beverages.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
For the purpose of administration and enforcement of the alcoholic
beverages laws before the Board, the Inspector shall have the power
to:
A.
Enforce all alcoholic beverages laws;
B.
Investigate all complaints and violations of the alcoholic beverages
laws;
C.
Investigate all applicants for an alcoholic beverages license or
transfer of license;
D.
Serve summonses and subpoenas, conduct inspections, and investigate
violations of this chapter;
E.
Issue civil citations as provided in Md. Code Ann., Criminal Law
Art., § 10-119, upon probable cause to believe that the
person charged is committing or has committed a Code violation;
F.
Initiate administrative proceedings before the Board to revoke, suspend,
or restrict a license;
G.
Visit and inspect at unannounced times every licensed premises in
the County as directed by the Department of Planning and Zoning;
H.
Report all violations of the alcoholic beverages laws to the Board
and to the local jurisdiction in which the licensed premises are located;
J.
Promote alcohol education and awareness training; and
No person or corporation engaged in the manufacture, distribution,
or sale of beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages, nor any licensee
licensed under the provisions of this chapter, including any agent
or employee of that person, corporation, or licensee, either directly
or indirectly, may offer to pay any commission, profit, or remuneration,
or make any gift to any commissioner, alcoholic beverages inspector,
or employee of the Board or to anyone on behalf of that commissioner,
inspector, or employee of the Board, nor may any commissioner or employee
of the Board solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, any such
commission, profit, remuneration, or gift whatsoever. Upon a finding
of a violation of this section by a licensee, the license shall be
revoked. Upon a finding of a violation of this section by any other
person on behalf of or concerning any license or licensee, the license
shall be revoked unless the Board shall find that said action was
unauthorized, in which case the license shall be suspended for a period
of not less than 30 days nor more than one year.
The Alcoholic Beverages Inspector, and his duly authorized deputies
or assistants, any peace officer of the County, and any peace officer
of the town in which the premises are located, or any of them, shall
be fully authorized to inspect and search, without warrant, at all
hours, any building and premises in which any alcoholic beverages
are authorized to be kept, transported, manufactured, or sold under
a license or permit issued under the provisions of this chapter, and
any evidence discovered during any such inspections shall be admissible
in any prosecution for the violation of the provisions of this chapter,
and in any hearing for revocation, suspension, or restriction of the
alcoholic beverage license or permit. Any alcoholic beverages taken
as evidence shall be returned to the license or permit holder if he
be adjudged not guilty; otherwise they shall be sold to license holders,
turned over to state institutions for medicinal use, or destroyed.
Receipts from such sales shall be credited to the general fund of
the County.
A.
General provisions.
(1)
Appeals from decisions of the Board shall be to the Circuit Court
for Talbot County, in accordance with the Maryland Rules of Procedure
applicable to administrative appeals.
(2)
The decision approving, suspending, revoking, restricting, or refusing
to approve, suspend, revoke or restrict any license or licensee shall
be subject to appeal in the manner provided in this section.
B.
Who may appeal. A licensee, a license applicant, or a group of not
less than 10 persons who reside in Talbot County may appeal a final
decision of the Board to the Circuit Court if the licensee, license
applicant, or the group is aggrieved by the decision and has appeared
at the hearing of the Board either:
C.
Court costs. The Clerk of the Circuit Court, before docketing an
appeal, shall first collect, from the person or persons so appealing,
all court costs and a statement from the Board that the costs for
getting records and transcripts of proceedings of the hearing before
the Board have been paid. Costs may not be assessed against the Board.
D.
Scope of appeal.
(1)
Upon the hearing of such appeal, the action of the Board shall be
presumed by the Court to be proper and to best serve the public interest.
The burden of proof shall be upon the petitioner to show that the
decision complained of was against the public interest and that the
Board's discretion in rendering its decision was not honestly and
fairly exercised, or that such decision was arbitrary, or procured
by fraud, or unsupported by any substantial evidence, or was unreasonable,
or that such decision was beyond the powers of the Board and was illegal.
The case shall be heard by the Court without the intervention of a
jury. If in the opinion of the Court it is impracticable to determine
the question presented to the Court, in the case on appeal, without
the hearing of additional evidence, or if in the opinion of the Court
any qualified litigant has been deprived of the opportunity to offer
evidence, or if the interests of justice otherwise require that further
evidence should be taken, the Court may hear such additional testimony
to such extent and in such manner as may be necessary or may remand
the case to the Board for that purpose.
(2)
In such actions of appeal, the Board may be represented by its attorney.
(3)
The Board's decision shall be affirmed, modified, reversed, or remanded
to the Board. Costs shall be awarded as in other civil cases.
Municipalities within Talbot County may restrict the retail
sale of alcoholic beverages within their respective jurisdictions
through adoption of local zoning ordinances. Enforcement of any ordinance
so enacted shall be the responsibility of the municipality.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
Any law enacted by the Talbot County Council pursuant to the
grant of express powers in Article 25, § 3(ee),[1] or Md. Code Ann., Alcoholic Beverages Art., § 30-103,
shall prevail over any provision of the Code of Public General Laws
of Maryland regulating the retail sale of alcoholic beverages. However,
unless and until the Talbot County Council enacts a law which is contrary
to a provision of the Code of Public General Laws regulating the retail
sale of alcoholic beverages, the provisions of the Code of Public
General Laws shall remain in effect.
[1]
Editor's Note: Art. 25 was repealed by Acts 2013, C. 119,
§ 1, eff. 10-1-2013.
