Baltimore City Zoning to Eliminate Liquor Stores?

Our practice areas include zoning law and liquor license applications. Interestingly, Baltimore City is undergoing an update of its zoning code and a proposal has been made to eliminate liquor stores which had previously been allowed to operate as a nonconforming use in areas where the zoning prohibits the establishment of a liquor store. The Baltimore Sun had an interesting perspective on the matter in a January 13, 2013 editorial column entitled Healthy Zoning. These proposals could make for interesting news over the next few months.

Maryland Corkage Law

By Dave Minogue (originally posted to Flickr as P4269130.JPG) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

This past April, Maryland passed a law approving corkage. Corkage is the practice of bringing your own wine to a restaurant that already has a wine menu. Corkage allows patrons to enjoy a wine that is not already stocked by the restaurant. This differs from some Baltimore restaurants BYOB practice, as it only applies to restaurants that already have a liquor license that allows them to serve wine.

According to the Washington Post, there are three conditions set forth by the corkage law:

1. Underage or intoxicated persons should not be served, even their own wine;
2. A wine already on the restaurant’s list may not be brought in;
3. Restaurants must obtain a permit from their local liquor board.

Customers should note that restaurants do not have to allow corkage in their establishment. Additionally, restaurants that do allow corkage may charge a corkage fee to open a bottle for diners. The law does not stipulate a maximum or minimum for this fee. The Baltimore Sun asserts that corkage fees can range from $20 to $40 per bottle. Sales tax will apply to the corkage fee.

In Howard County, the Board of License Commissioners has issued a list of requirements pertaining to corkage practices. Included are the notations that patrons must order a meal and that bottles that are unfinished must be either poured out or recorked.

Maryland grocery stores and liquor sales

From the Baltimore Sun: Groceries seeking ways around wine sales ban

Wegman's Liquor License Hearing Continued

From the Baltimore Sun: Wegman's Liquor License Hearing

Wine - To Go?

From the Baltimore Sun, a follow up article to their previous article about growler sales in Howard County: Wine-to-go containers added to bill allowing 'growler' sales in Howard Co.

Growlers

From the Baltimore Sun: City, Howard Co. weighing expansion of growler beer sales

On Route 40, Latin Market's liquor application gives hope, draws critics

From Explore Howard: On Route 40, Latin Market's liquor application gives hope, draws critics

Changes to Howard County Alcohol Regulations?

From ExploreHoward.com: Liquor board weighs changes to county alcohol regulations