Comprehensive Reference for Alcohol Licensing, Regulation, Violations, and Liability in Maryland
This guide provides an overview of the state’s alcohol regulatory framework, including the governing agency, license/permit types, common violations, dram shop liability, local regulation authority, and key statutory references. This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current statutes and consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.
Last reviewed: February 2026
Regulatory Overview
Regulatory System: License State (with Montgomery County operating as a control jurisdiction)
Governing Agency: Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC); each county also has its own liquor board or license commissioner
Website: https://www.marylandtaxes.gov/divisions/fed.php
Governing Law: Maryland Code, Article 2B — Alcoholic Beverages (transitioning to Alcoholic Beverages Article)
License/Permit Types:
- Class A (off-premises, beer and wine)
- Class B (on-premises, beer, wine, and liquor)
- Class C (on-premises, beer and wine only)
- Class D (on-premises, beer only)
- Manufacturer licenses (brewery, winery, distillery)
- Wholesaler licenses
- Special event/festival licenses
- Caterer’s license
Key Regulatory Features:
- Maryland’s alcohol regulation is uniquely decentralized; each county (and Baltimore City) has its own liquor board with significant autonomy
- License types, fees, hours, and conditions vary substantially by county
- Montgomery County operates as a control jurisdiction with county-owned retail liquor stores
- The state-level commission handles overall policy, but local boards are the primary regulators
- Some counties have their own unique license categories
Common Violations:
- Sale to minors
- Sale to intoxicated persons
- After-hours sales
- Operating beyond license scope
- Noise and nuisance complaints
Dram Shop Liability: No. Maryland does not have a dram shop statute. Maryland courts have declined to impose common law liability on vendors for serving intoxicated adults. Responsibility generally rests with the person who chooses to drink. However, Maryland recognizes social host liability for knowingly and willfully providing alcohol to minors (recognized by the Maryland Court of Appeals in 2016).
Social Host Liability: Yes, for furnishing alcohol to minors. Not for serving intoxicated adults.
Local Regulation Authority: Extensive. County liquor boards are the primary licensing and enforcement authorities. Each county operates essentially independently in administering its own alcohol laws.
Key Statutes: Md. Code, Alcoholic Beverages Article (formerly Article 2B)
Maryland Alcohol Beverage Law Attorneys
The following law firms and attorneys handle alcohol beverage law matters in Maryland. This list includes both state-specific specialists and national firms with Maryland coverage.
1. Carter Law, LLC
- Website: www.carterlawmd.com
- Attorney: Linda C. Carter, Esq.
- Address: 11720 Beltsville Drive, Suite 100, Beltsville, MD 20705
- Phone: 301-242-8800
- Email: linda@carterlawmd.com
- NAABLA Member: Yes (2005)
- Services:
- Maryland Alcohol licensing
- Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission proceedings
- Regulatory compliance
- License applications and transfers
2. Lehrman Beverage Law, PLLC
- Website: www.bevlaw.com
- Attorney: Robert C. Lehrman and ekibi
- Address: 2911 Hunter Mill Road, Suite 303, Oakton, VA 22124
- Phone: 202-449-3739
- Firm Type: Dedicated alcohol beverage law firm; 6+ core attorneys, each with 10+ years experience, 100+ years combined
- Services:
- Federal TTB permits (importers, wholesalers, manufacturers, PONL)
- State and federal permitting
- Beer law (4 experienced beer attorneys, 3 with brewing experience)
- TTB label approval process (COLA)
- Formula approvals (FONL system)
- Trademark law (beer, wine, distilled spirits, and food products)
- License acquisition, maintenance, and transfer
- Brand registration
- Alcohol beverage law and regulatory compliance
3. Flaherty & O’Hara, P.C.
- Website: www.flaherty-ohara.com | Phone: 412-456-2001 / 1-866-4BEVLAW
- Phone: 412-456-2001 / Toll-free: 1-866-4BEVLAW (1-866-423-8529)
- Firm Type: One of the largest liquor licensing firms in the U.S.; founded in 2001; 31 employees; serving all 50 states
- Services:
- Liquor licensing in all 50 states (retail, wholesale, manufacturing, import)
- License applications, transfers, modifications, and renewals
- M&A, IPO, and multi-unit transaction licensing consulting
- Corporate restructuring license coordination
- Tied-house and trade practice compliance consulting
- National alcohol promotion and marketing legality assessment
- Citation, hearing, and enforcement defense
- Litigation and commercial dispute resolution
- Liquor liability and restaurant/alcohol management seminars
- Proprietary cloud-based renewal software
- Legislative drafting and industry standards development
4. Clark Hill PLC
- Website: www.clarkhill.com | Phone: 202-772-0909 / 313-965-8300
- Phone: 202-772-0909 / 313-965-8300 / 312-985-5900
- Firm Type: International law firm; dedicated Alcohol Industry Group and Food & Beverage team; 100+ year firm history
- Services:
- Federal (TTB), state, and local license and permit acquisition, transfer, modification, and renewal in all 50 states
- Three-tier system structuring and tied-house compliance
- Production licensing (brewery, winery, distillery, cidery, food manufacturer)
- Retail and hospitality licensing (grocery, restaurant, bar, hotel, casino, golf course, entertainment venue)
- Import/export and international trade compliance
- Distribution agreements and franchise law
- Mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, capital investments
- Compliance and enforcement defense; audits
- Alcohol advertising and labeling (TTB label approvals)
- Intellectual property (trademark, patent, trade dress)
- Litigation (real estate, antitrust, commercial contract, product liability)
- Bankruptcy and asset acquisition consulting
- Strategic planning, business formation, and expansion consulting
- Legislative monitoring across the U.S.
5. Akerman LLP
- Website: www.akerman.com | Phone: 202-393-6222
- Phone: 202-393-6222
- Firm Type: Major national law firm with dedicated alcohol beverage unit
- Services:
- Multi-jurisdictional regulatory compliance
- Licensing structure options and operational models
- Regulatory enforcement investigation representation
- Distribution agreements and franchise disputes
- Trusted relationships with state and local administrative agencies
- Consulting on legislative changes and proposed rulemaking
- Corporate law, business law, intellectual property, land use and zoning, government relations, administrative law, customs law, and tax law
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does Maryland have separate liquor boards for each county and Baltimore City?
Maryland delegates nearly all licensing authority to county-level boards and Baltimore City’s board, with the state Comptroller playing limited oversight. Each of 23 counties and Baltimore City has its own rules, procedures, fees, and license categories. There is no single ‘Maryland liquor license.’ An operator expanding from Montgomery County to Baltimore City enters a different regulatory jurisdiction with different rules. Multi-location operations require engaging each county’s board separately.
Q: How does the broad discretionary authority of Maryland county liquor boards affect applications?
Maryland boards can consider subjective factors including the ‘need’ for another establishment, community sentiment, applicant character, and impact on surroundings. Even well-qualified applicants with perfect locations can be denied if the board determines the community does not need another licensed establishment. Applicants should research the specific board’s decision history, attend meetings before applying, and proactively build community support.
Q: What dram shop liability risks exist across Maryland’s different county jurisdictions?
Maryland courts have recognized limited dram shop liability through case law rather than specific statute. Because regulation is county-level, enforcement patterns and the legal landscape for cases can differ between jurisdictions. Courts have found liability for serving visibly intoxicated persons and minors. Establishments should maintain training documentation, carry adequate insurance, and consult an attorney familiar with their specific county’s legal environment.
Disclaimer
This guide is intended as a general informational reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Alcohol laws are complex, vary significantly between jurisdictions, and change frequently through legislation, regulation, and court decisions. The information provided here may not reflect the most current legal developments.
Always consult with a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before making decisions based on this information. For current regulatory requirements, contact the appropriate state alcohol regulatory agency directly.