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Maryland Code, Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis § 33-903

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) There are:

(1) a Class C (fishing club) beer, wine, and liquor license;

(2) a Class C (fraternal/sororal/service organization) beer, wine, and liquor license;

(3) a Class C (golf, tennis, or swimming club) beer, wine, and liquor license; and

(4) a Class C (veterans' organization or club) beer, wine, and liquor license.

(b)(1) This section does not apply to a “bring your own bottle” social function at which alcoholic beverages are provided only by the participants or guests.

(2) If such a social function is held in a facility open to the public, the function shall be held during the hours of operation allowed under a Class C license.

(c)(1) The Board may issue the fishing club license for use by a club that:

(i) is organized to promote the sport of fishing;

(ii) owns its own building;

(iii) has been in existence for at least 5 years before the application for the license is made;

(iv) has at least 25 members paying dues of at least $25 per year per adult member;

(v) operates only for the use of its members and guests when accompanied by members; and

(vi) meets in a clubhouse principally used for its members and guests.

(2) The Board may issue the fraternal/sororal/service organization license for use by a lodge or chapter of a nationwide nonprofit fraternal, sororal, or service organization that:

(i) is composed of inducted members;

(ii) was operating in the county for at least 5 years before the application for the license was made;

(iii) has at least 40 members paying dues of at least $5 per year per member; and

(iv) owns or operates a home or clubhouse principally used for members and guests when accompanied by members.

(3) The Board may issue the golf, tennis, or swimming club license for use by a country club, not including a miniature golf course, that:

(i) has been incorporated for at least 1 year before the application for the license was made;

(ii) has at least 100 members paying dues of at least $10 per year per adult member;

(iii) has facilities for preparing and serving food on the premises to members and guests when accompanied by members; and

(iv) owns or operates on the premises a clubhouse principally used for its members and guests.

(4) The Board may issue the veterans' organization or club license for use by a local unit of a nationwide nonprofit organization or club that:

(i) is composed only of members who served in the armed forces of the United States in a war in which the United States has been engaged;

(ii) has held a charter from a national veterans' organization for at least 5 years before the application for the license is made;

(iii) has at least 15 members paying dues of at least $5 per year per member;

(iv) operates only for the use of its members and guests when accompanied by members; and

(v) meets in a clubhouse principally used for its members and guests.

(d) The license authorizes the license holder to sell beer, wine, and liquor at a club at the place described in the license, for on-premises consumption.

(e) To qualify for a 7-day license, a club shall:

(1) have an enclosed dining area that has a seating capacity for at least 60 individuals; and

(2) serve full-course meals from menus at least twice daily.

(f) A club or organization that is issued a Class C license may:

(1) serve, sell, provide, or dispense alcoholic beverages to its members or guests;

(2) keep alcoholic beverages for its members or guests;

(3) allow on-premises consumption by its members or guests of any alcoholic beverages that have been reserved or purchased from the club by its members or guests;

(4) from the supplies that its members or guests have previously purchased or reserved, serve or provide alcoholic beverages or allow alcoholic beverages to be consumed by members or guests after legal closing hours; or

(5) sell, dispense, serve, keep, or allow to be consumed any setups or other component parts of mixed alcoholic drinks to its members or guests.

(g) The annual license fees:

(1) for a 6-day license is $500; and

(2) for a 7-day license is $750.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis § 33-903 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/alcoholic-beverages-and-cannabis/md-code-al-bev-sect-33-903/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

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