Press Release: On Friday, April 1st, 2022 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) announced plans to resume in-person hearings beginning April 28th.  

All BLLC Staff will report to the office each business day, starting on Monday, April 4th. Due to staffing limitations and capacity concerns, public access will be by appointment only until the end of renewal season on May 31st.

Announcements will be made in the month of May announcing a general reopening without appointments, provided the COVID-19 pandemic trajectory remains positive. 

Hearings will return to City Hall, Room 215, on April 28th for Protest of Renewal cases. Masks will remain required, and attendees will need to adhere to City Hall’s entrance guidelines and policies, including presenting identification. 

Copy of the Press Release

Announcement: On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, Mayor Brandon M. Scott officially lifted the Baltimore City Indoor Masking Mandate, citing recent data trends relating to COVID-19.

Mayoral Press Release: Baltimore City Masking Order Rescinded

Although the Masking Order will be rescinded, the State of Emergency for Baltimore City, declared on March 19, 2020, will remain in place. The BLLC strongly encourages all of our licensees to continue to be cognizant of the health and safety of the public and their employees.

Press Release: The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) is issuing a warning to licensees who are closed and not operating, noting that their license may be in danger of expiration if they fail to take action. As of July 1, 2021, all legal orders that suspended license timelines were lifted, which started the clock on a period of 180 days that runs out on December 28^th, 2021. If a licensee has not been open since July 1^st, their license is at risk of permanent expiration, even if they have renewed for this year.

Copy of the Press Release.

If you are a licensee that closed during the COVID-19 Pandemic and have not yet reopened, you are urged to contact the BLLC office as soon as possible by calling 410-396-4377. 

Announcement: The BLLC would like to announce a that a drop box is now available so that applicants, attorneys, and others are now able to deliver documents to our office. Please note that aside from the Drop Box option, the BLLC office remains closed to the general public.

Guidelines for Drop Box Use:
-The Drop Box is located outside of the office, accessible for public use as permitted into the building and onto the office floor by building security.
-The Drop Box is available from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
-Deposited items and documents should be NO LARGER THAN STANDARD LETTER SIZE.
-All deposited items MUST BE IN A STANDARD LETTER-SIZED ENVELOPE and should contain a clear description of the item(s) contained therein.
-The Drop Box is available for drop off usage only due to health and safety reasons necessitated by the COVID-19 global health pandemic.
-Members of the public who drop off documents should not wait in the elevator area or in the building generally for a response.
-BLLC is not responsible for any loose items or those without an envelope or clear description of their purpose. Any loose or unidentifiable items—including, but not limited to, single checks, money orders, or other negotiable instruments—will be catalogued and marked for destruction.

Please review further guidelines for processing and receipt of Drop Box items in our Standard Operating Procedures 2.26. For any questions, please contact the offices at 410-396-4377.

Press Release: The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) issued guidance today, June 25th, 2021, to licensed establishments in Baltimore City on the upcoming lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions at the State and City level. Licensees were notified they must come to current status with their liquor license as well as any related licenses, as Governor Hogan terminated his Executive Order suspending deadlines, effective midnight on July 1, 2021. Additionally, licensees in Baltimore City must cease any extra carry out or delivery of alcoholic beverages not already approved under their previously existing license. The special privilege Governor Hogan allowed for sale of “to go” cocktails for carryout or delivery also ends on June 30, 2021, and the normal licensing timelines and activity as set by Maryland Law and the BLLC Rules and Regulations all resume.  

Copy of the press release.
Copy of the BLLC’s guidance.

If you have any questions regarding this guidance, please reach out to the BLLC’s Deputy Executive Secretary, Nicholas Blendy.

Press Release: On Thursday, June 11th, 2020 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) voted unanimously to waive fees for Temporary Outdoor Permit Extensions after being granted the authority to do so by Governor Lawrence J. Hogan through his issuance of Executive Order 20-06-11-01 on the same day. The BLLC also released guidance to its licensees on the temporary extensions process to enable the addition of outdoor seating and service in an expedited timeframe.

Copy of the Press Release.
Copy of the guidance documents issued to licensees.
Copy of the letters issued to licensees.

Press Release: On Monday, March 23, 2020 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) announced updated precautions it is undertaking to ensure the safety of the general public and BLLC employees in light of Baltimore City Health Department recommendations regarding “social distancing” due to COVID-19. 

Copy of the press release.