Pennsylvania Statutes Title 47 P.S. Liquor § 4-407. Sale of malt or brewed beverages by liquor licensees

(b) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any existing permit authorizing the sale of malt or brewed beverages for consumption off the premises, a restaurant licensee located in a city of the first class who is otherwise permitted to sell malt or brewed beverages for consumption off the premises may not do so after October 31, 2007, unless it acquires a permit from the board.

(2) The application for a permit to sell malt or brewed beverages for consumption off the premises shall be on forms designated by the board and contain such information as the board may require.  The application and renewal fee shall be as prescribed in section 614-A(27) of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L. 177, No. 175),   1 known as “The Administrative Code of 1929.”  However, no applicant who currently has a permit shall be required to pay any additional fees under section 614-A(27) of “The Administrative Code of 1929” in order to continue selling malt or brewed beverages for consumption off the premises at its currently licensed location for the licensing term beginning November 1, 2007, and ending October 31, 2008.

(3) The application for a permit to sell malt or brewed beverages for consumption off the premises must be accompanied by a copy of the approval of such request by the hearing board authorized by this section.

(4) A city of the first class shall create a hearing board within its Department of Licenses and Inspections to hear requests from licensees who are seeking a permit from the hearing board authorizing the licensee to sell malt or brewed beverages for consumption off the premises.  Each hearing board shall consist of three persons appointed by the mayor of the city of the first class, who are subject to approval by the city council of the city of the first class.  Each person so appointed shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.  The hearing board may, in its discretion, hold hearings to adduce testimony regarding a request.  The hearing board must render a decision within ninety days of receipt of a request for approval of a permit to sell malt or brewed beverages for consumption off the premises.  The hearing board must approve the request unless it finds that doing so would adversely affect the welfare, health, peace and morals of the city or its residents.  A decision by the hearing board to deny a request may be appealed to the court of common pleas in the county in which the city is located.  The failure to render a decision by the hearing board within the required time period shall be deemed approval of the permit.

(5) Upon being satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled all the requirements of this act and the board's regulations, the board shall approve the application.  Such permits shall expire upon the transfer of the license to a new entity or to a new location, or both;  otherwise, such permits shall expire at the same time as the expiration of the underlying license.