It is the policy of the State of Maryland that it is necessary to regulate and control the storage, sale and distribution of alcohol beverages. Maryland State Law, as written in the Alcoholic Beverages (AB) Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, empowers local boards of license commissioners and inspectors to administer and enforce the provisions of these alcohol laws. The restrictions, regulations, provisions, and penalties contained in these laws are for the protection, health, welfare and safety of the people of Harford County and this State; and are carried out in Harford County by the Harford County Liquor Control Board.

Licensing

All alcoholic beverages that are sold in the State of Maryland, including Harford County, must be sold by person(s) who hold an alcoholic beverage license. There are numerous types of alcoholic beverage licenses, ranging from per diem (one day) licenses to licenses for the sale of alcohol (both on and off premises) 7 days a week/365 days a year. Licenses are issued to clubs, restaurants, taverns, liquor stores, hotels, caterers and stadiums. Fees for licenses range from $15 to $10,000 per year.

Public Notice:  Statement on Proposed Legal Sale of Alcohol in Grocery Stores Statewide

"The overwhelming majority of our liquor store owners are small business people.  Legislation that would permit the sale of alcohol in grocery stores would be absolutely devasting to those small businesses, as well as the people that own them, the landlords who lease space to them and the various community-based organizations who they sponsor and support.  I am optimistic that the legislative branch will protect the tens of thousands of small business owners and employees whose lives and businesses would be instantly destroyed if this legislation were to pass.  In addition, this legislation results in no economic benefits to the State of Maryland and/or the municipalities because no additional sales tax revenue would be generated; allowing the sale of alcohol in grocery stores would simply divert consumer dollars away from small, specialty, businesses to larger businesses and publicly held entities.   The proposed legislation would further burden small business owners who are struggling from the lingering effects of COVID shutdowns, inflation and loss of market share to recreational Cannabis." 

-Wayne S. Goddard, Chair, Harford County Liquor Control Board

Questions regarding this issue can be directed to the HCLCB Office at 410-638-3028.

Notice of Decision - Issuance of Third-Party Delivery Licenses for Alcoholic Beverages

The Harford County Liquor Control Board has issued a Public Notice of its decision regarding “Third-Party Delivery of Alcohol Beverages” in Harford County.

Please read the notice in its entirety.

This notice only pertains to legislation of the newly codified portion of Maryland’s Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Article 4-1107 referring to “Local Delivery Service” effective July 01, 2024.