Maryland Liquor License Cost
Fees, license types, and requirements from the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC)
How much does a liquor license cost in Maryland?
| Business Type | Scenario | Total Fee | Period | Permits Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | Restaurant with full bar (Baltimore City) | $2,060 | per year | CLASS_B |
| Restaurant | Restaurant with beer and wine only | $700 | per year | CLASS_B_BW |
| Bar / Nightclub | Standalone bar or tavern | $1,200 | per year | CLASS_D |
| Brewery / Brewpub | Craft brewery with taproom | $500 | per year | BREWERY |
| Grocery Store | Grocery store selling beer, wine, and liquor | $500 | per year | CLASS_A |
| Winery | Winery with tasting room | $400 | per year | WINERY |
Maryland's County-Controlled Liquor Boards and Unique Monopoly Counties
Maryland has one of the most decentralized alcohol regulatory systems in the nation. The Comptroller of Maryland oversees some statewide functions, but licensing and enforcement are primarily handled by county-level liquor boards or control authorities. Each of Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City has its own licensing authority with distinct rules, fees, license classes, and restrictions. This creates 24 separate regulatory regimes within a single state. Maryland has approximately 12,000 active liquor licenses statewide.
Regulatory environment
Maryland's regulatory complexity is nationally unique. Montgomery County operates a full county-controlled monopoly on off-premise liquor sales — the county government runs all liquor stores through the Department of Liquor Control (DLC), similar to a state control system but at the county level. Howard County also had a county liquor monopoly until 2022, when it transitioned to private sales. Other counties like Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, and Prince George's have more conventional private-market systems. This patchwork means licensing rules, availability, and costs vary enormously depending on which county you operate in.
License availability
License availability varies by county. In most counties, restaurant and tavern licenses are available without a strict quota, though county boards exercise discretion in evaluating community need. Montgomery County's DLC controls all off-premise spirits sales through county-run stores. Beer and wine off-premise licenses are available from private retailers in Montgomery County. Baltimore City has its own Board of Liquor License Commissioners, which issues approximately 1,800 licenses across multiple classes. Processing times range from 30 days in smaller counties to 90+ days in Baltimore City and Montgomery County.
What drives costs
Maryland licensing fees vary significantly by county. Baltimore City restaurant licenses cost approximately $2,000-$4,000/year. Anne Arundel County licenses range from $1,000-$3,000/year. Montgomery County on-premise licenses cost $1,000-$2,500/year (but off-premise spirits are county-run, so private liquor store licenses don't exist there). These fees place Maryland in the moderate-to-high range nationally. The county-by-county variation means an operator in one county could pay 3-4x what an operator 20 miles away pays for the same type of license.
Application process
Applications are filed with the county liquor board or Baltimore City Board of Liquor License Commissioners — the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC) handles statewide policy but not retail licensing. Each county requires its own forms, background checks, and public hearing process. Baltimore City requires a community notification period of at least 45 days before the hearing date. Applicants must demonstrate compliance with local zoning, pass health and fire inspections, and provide proof of liability insurance. Processing runs 60-120 days depending on the jurisdiction and whether the application is contested.
Common pitfalls and denial reasons
The county-by-county system means denial reasons vary widely. In Baltimore City, community association objections at public hearings are the primary obstacle — neighborhoods like Fells Point and Federal Hill have organized liquor license caps through political pressure. Montgomery County's DLC monopoly means private liquor store applications are simply not possible. Zoning conflicts are especially problematic in suburban counties where mixed-use and residential overlay zones restrict alcohol-serving establishments. Applicants operating in multiple counties often discover too late that a license approved in one jurisdiction does not streamline approval in another.
Local quirks worth knowing
Montgomery County's government-run liquor store monopoly is one of only two county-level control systems in the entire United States — residents cannot buy spirits at a private store anywhere in the county. Ocean City in Worcester County has its own unique seasonal licensing provisions, with bars and restaurants catering to the summer beach tourism crowd operating under different hours and enforcement standards than the rest of the county. Maryland was also the last state to allow Sunday liquor store sales, lifting the ban only in 2015 for most jurisdictions.
Need help getting started? Read our step-by-step licensing guide, or compare Maryland fees with other states using our comparison tool.
Maryland License Types
CLASS_A Class A – Off-Sale (Package Store) $500/yr
Allows sale of alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for off-premise consumption only. No on-site drinking.
Fees shown are Baltimore City/county median estimates. Actual fees vary by jurisdiction ($300-$1,200). Sealed containers only.
CLASS_B Class B – On-Sale (Restaurant/Hotel) $1,500/yr
Allows sale of beer, wine, and liquor for on-premise consumption. Typically requires 25-50% of revenue from food sales.
Most common restaurant license. Fees range widely: Baltimore City ~$2,060, Montgomery County ~$2,500, rural counties $500-$900. Food sales requirement varies by jurisdiction.
CLASS_B_BW Class B – Beer and Wine (Restaurant) $700/yr
Allows sale of beer and wine only for on-premise consumption at restaurants.
Lower cost alternative for restaurants not needing full spirits service. Fees vary by county.
CLASS_C Class C – Club/Organization License $480/yr
For nonprofit organizations, veterans' organizations, and private clubs. Service to members and guests only.
Veterans' organization rate: $300/year. Regular clubs: $480/year. Members and guests only.
CLASS_D Class D – Tavern/Bar License $1,200/yr
For establishments where alcohol is the primary focus. No food sales requirement for 21+ establishments.
Fees vary widely by county. Allegany County: $700; Anne Arundel: $900-$1,000; Worcester County (Ocean City): $3,000-$3,500. May include off-sale in some jurisdictions.
CLASS_H Class H – Hotel License $2,000/yr
Full alcohol service license for hotels with multiple service areas including restaurants, bars, and room service.
Covers multiple alcohol service points within the hotel. Fees vary by county and hotel size.
BREWERY Class 7 – Micro-Brewery License $500/yr
Allows brewing up to 22,500 barrels per year with on-site taproom sales and off-site distribution.
State-level license administered by ATCC. Taproom sales permitted. Production cap: 22,500 barrels/year.
WINERY Class 4 – Winery License $400/yr
Allows wine production, tasting room sales, and wholesale distribution.
State-level license. Includes tasting room privileges and direct-to-consumer sales.
DISTILLERY Class 1 – Distillery License $500/yr
Allows production of distilled spirits with tasting room and retail sales privileges.
State-level manufacturer license. Tasting room and bottle sales on site permitted.
FESTIVAL Special Beer and Wine Festival License See details
Temporary license for beer and wine festival events.
Per-event license. Fee is $2,500 in Anne Arundel County; varies by jurisdiction.
Requirements
General Requirements
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Background check required for all applicants and principals
- Application filed with local county or Baltimore City liquor board
- Public hearing required in most jurisdictions
- Premises inspection required
- Proof of insurance required
- Must comply with both state ATCC and local jurisdiction requirements
Notable Restrictions
- County-controlled licensing: each of Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City sets its own license types, fees, and restrictions
- Fees vary dramatically by county — Baltimore City Class B: ~$2,060; Montgomery County: ~$2,500; rural counties: $300-$700
- Some counties have quota systems limiting the number of licenses available
- Montgomery County operates its own retail liquor stores (county-controlled distribution)
- Each jurisdiction has its own Board of License Commissioners
- Sunday sales hours vary by county
- Package store hours and restrictions differ by jurisdiction
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Maryland liquor license fees vary so much by county?
Maryland's alcohol licensing is controlled at the county level. Each of the state's 23 counties and Baltimore City operates its own Board of License Commissioners with its own fee schedules, license types, and restrictions. The state's Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC) sets overall policy but fees and issuance are entirely local. A Class B restaurant license in Baltimore City costs about $2,060/year; the same category in rural Garrett County might run $400-$600. Before budgeting for a Maryland license, look up the specific county — fees, availability, quota limits, and process differ materially between jurisdictions.
What is Montgomery County's unique liquor system?
Montgomery County operates its own county-controlled alcohol retail system — the county government runs all package liquor stores through the Department of Liquor Control (DLC). Private liquor stores are not permitted in Montgomery County. Residents buy spirits and wine from county-operated stores. Restaurants and bars do hold individual on-premise licenses (Class B), but off-premise spirits retail is a county monopoly. The DLC also controls wholesale distribution within the county. This is the only county-controlled system in Maryland and one of very few remaining in the eastern US.
Can I sell alcohol on Sundays in Maryland?
Yes, in most Maryland jurisdictions, but hours and restrictions vary by county. Most counties allow Sunday sales but may have restricted start times (commonly 10 AM or noon) or require food service alongside alcohol. Some counties only recently approved Sunday sales following local legislation. Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties all permit Sunday alcohol sales. A small number of rural counties still impose Sunday restrictions. The safest approach is to check directly with your county's liquor board, as Sunday rules can differ even for on-premise vs. off-premise licensees within the same county.
What's the cheapest type of liquor license in Maryland?
For manufacturers, the state-level Winery License runs $400/year and the Micro-Brewery and Distillery licenses are both $500/year — among the most affordable in the state. For retail, a Class C club license for nonprofit organizations runs about $480/year. Restaurant operators looking for the cheapest path should consider a beer-and-wine Class B license rather than full spirits, which cuts fees roughly in half in most counties. Exact fees depend heavily on your county — rural Eastern Shore counties can issue Class B licenses for $500-$700/year, while urban counties are $1,500-$2,500+.
Can I transfer a liquor license in Maryland?
Yes, but the rules depend on the county. Some Maryland counties have quota systems that limit the number of licenses in circulation, which gives existing licenses secondary market value. Baltimore City and some suburban counties have quota restrictions on certain license classes. To transfer a license, both buyer and seller must apply to the local Board of License Commissioners, which conducts a public hearing. If the county has quota restrictions, you may be acquiring a license that cannot be replaced — its value reflects that scarcity. In non-quota jurisdictions, licenses can be transferred with board approval but have no significant secondary market value since new ones can be issued.
Sources
Data sourced from the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC). Last verified 2026-03-26.