Who needs a Class B (restaurant) or Class D beer, wine and liquor license in Maryland?
Issued by Your county’s Board of License Commissioners (liquor board), under the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, at step 5 of 6 in the opening sequence: alcohol permits.
Maryland issues retail licenses through 24 county liquor boards, each with its own classes, fees, food ratios and hearings, so start with your county’s board. A Class B license needs a restaurant with a kitchen and a minimum share of food sales (40% in Montgomery County); a Class D is the tavern license. Some boards issue few new licenses, so a license is often bought from an existing holder and transferred. Montgomery County is a control county: the county’s Alcohol Beverage Services is the only wholesaler. Ask the county liquor board for its current fee sheet and whether a new license is available before signing a lease.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 5 of 6: Alcohol permits
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your county’s Board of License Commissioners (liquor board), under the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article.
Sources and dates
Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article (county titles); Chapter 1015 of 2024 (Baltimore City fees); Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services license descriptions and Board rules. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Yes. Maryland issues retail licenses through 24 county liquor boards, each with its own classes, fees, food ratios and hearings, so start with your county’s board.
Yes. Maryland issues retail licenses through 24 county liquor boards, each with its own classes, fees, food ratios and hearings, so start with your county’s board.
Yes. Maryland issues retail licenses through 24 county liquor boards, each with its own classes, fees, food ratios and hearings, so start with your county’s board.
Yes. Maryland issues retail licenses through 24 county liquor boards, each with its own classes, fees, food ratios and hearings, so start with your county’s board.
Yes. Maryland issues retail licenses through 24 county liquor boards, each with its own classes, fees, food ratios and hearings, so start with your county’s board.
Yes. Maryland issues retail licenses through 24 county liquor boards, each with its own classes, fees, food ratios and hearings, so start with your county’s board.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
No. In Maryland it is listed for restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars, cocktail bars and brewery taprooms.
Your county’s Board of License Commissioners (liquor board), under the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article.
Step 5 of 6, alcohol permits. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax, approve the space and get the permits for your kind of business.
Who needs a Class B or Class D beer in Maryland? | DoorWorthy
