Press Release Archives

Announcement: As per Alcoholic Beverages Article 12-1804.2(c), the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) is authorized to adopt rules and regulations relating to digital surveillance concerning new requirements that affect Class A, Class A-2, and Class A-7 Licenses within the City of Baltimore. With publication of these proposed rules and regulations on this day, September 22, 2020, the BLLC is providing 30 days for public comment concerning its draft. These rules and regulations detail the authority of the BLLC to require affected licensed establishments to install digital surveillance cameras on the exterior and interior of their premises, maintain video recordings to be accessed upon request by the Baltimore City Police Department, post conspicuous notification to the public that they are subject to 24-hour video surveillance when on-premises, register their digital surveillance cameras with the City of Baltimore, and subject them to annual verification by the BLLC. The draft also outlines a temporary waiver process to license holders who purchased and installed non-compliant equipment systems for one year, after January 1, 2021. To see a copy of Senate Bill 69, which provided the Board with the authority to draft these rules and regulations, please click here. To review a copy of the draft rules and regulations, please click here. To review a copy of a signage example and affidavit of compliance, which are required by the rules and regulations please click here, and here. If you want to provide public comment on the BLLC's Rules and Regualations, please email Deputy Executive Secretary, Thomas Akras, here.

Announcement: On May 15th, 2020 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) issued and implemented the 2020 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Manual. The Board takes seriously its obligation to ensure that the agency’s policies and procedures are replicating best practices and are compliant with the law. 
 
This year the BLLC worked to develop and improve upon the 2019 SOPs by incorporating recommendations made within the Office of Legislative Audits 2020 Performance Audit of the BLLC. To this end, the Board expanded upon the SOPs from 2019 to include policies and procedures in 2020 that address the following areas:

  • Revised Financial Disclosure and Conflicts of Interests Policy
  • Revised Policies concerning agency review and notice of new and transfer applications
  • Revised Policies concerning Hardship Requests, Transfer Hardship Requests, and Requests to Reopen
  • New Reissuance of Class BD7 and Class A-7 Licenses Policy
  • New CIAA – Related Promoter’s Event Permit Policy
  • New Training Policies and Procedures for newly hired Inspectors
  • New Inspections Expectations, Tracking, and Back Check Inspection Policies
  • New Approval Pathway Process for Routine and Compliance Inspections Policy
  • Revised Violation Review and Charging Process Policy
  • New 311 Response Policy
  • Updated Community Engagement Policy, including CommunityStat Reporting

 If you would like to see a copy of the 2020 SOPs, please click here.

Press Release: On May 14, 2020, the Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) for the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) issued its 2020 Performance Audit Report (2020 Audit) for the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) to the general public. In his letter addressed to the Joint Audit Committee of the Maryland General Assembly relating to the release of the 2020 Audit, Legislative Auditor Mr. Gregory Hook stated that the “BLLC made significant improvements in addressing the conditions noted in [the OLA’s] preceding audit of the BLLC, with only one of the prior findings repeated” in the 2020 Audit of the BLLC. Mr. Hook further acknowledged the BLLC’s “willingness to address the audit issues and to implement appropriate corrective actions” through its implementation of new “Standard Operating Policies and Procedures” and “management oversight processes that allowed for consistency and accountability.”

To view the BLLC’s Press Release regarding the 2020 Performance Audit, please click here. To view the Office of Legislative Audits’ 2020 Performance Audit Report for the BLLC and the agency’s response, please visit the OLA’s website at:  https://www.ola.state.md.us/.

Announcement: On June 19, 2020 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) issued guidance concerning Indoor Consumption in light of Mayor Young's Executive Order presented today, which explicitly incorporates the restrictions as stipulated by Executive Order 20-06-10-01 issued by Governor Lawrence J. Hogan on June 10, 2020. To see a copy of the BLLC’s guidance to licensed establishments in Baltimore City, please click here. To see a copy of the Governor’s Executive Order, please click here. 

Announcement: On March 23, 2020, Governor Lawrence J. Hogan issued Executive Order 20-03-23-01 requiring all non-essential businesses in Maryland to cease operations at 5 pm on March 23, 2020. Upon review of the Executive Order and Interpretive Guidance from the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel, establishments that are licensed by the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) are considered essential businesses and thus not required to cease operations as per this Executive Order.

The BLLC reminds all licensed establishments to follow the revised guidance issued to licensed establishments in Baltimore City concerning carry out and delivery procedures for alcoholic beverage service on March 22, 2020. To see a copy of Governor Hogan’s Executive order, please click here. To see a copy of the Interpretative Guidance from the Office of Legal Counsel, please click here. To see a copy of the BLLC’s guidance to licensed establishments concerning carry out and delivery procedures for alcoholic beverage service, please click here.

Press Release: On March 30, 2020, the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) canceled its public hearings scheduled for the month of April of 2020 out of concern for the health and well-being of the general public and BLLC staff arising from COVID-19. To see a copy of the press release, please click here. 

Announcement: On March 22, 2020, the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) issued revised guidance to licensed establishments in Baltimore City concerning carry out and delivery procedures for alcoholic beverage service in light of Governor Lawrence J. Hogan’s Executive Order published on March 16, 2020. To see the revised guidance, please click here. To see a copy of the Governor's Press release, please click here.

Press Release: As per Governor Lawrence J. Hogan’s Executive Order, effective March 16, 2020, at 5:00 pm all restaurants, bars, taverns, and other similar establishments within the State, including Baltimore City, shall cease and desist from selling food and beverages for on-premises consumption to the general public. To see a copy of the press release, please click here. To see a copy of the Governor's Press release, please click here.

Press Release: On March 18, 2020, the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) issued additional guidance to licensed establishments in Baltimore City concerning carry out and delivery procedures for alcoholic beverage service in light of Governor Lawrence J. Hogan’s Executive Order published on March 16, 2020. To see the full press release, please click here. To see Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel issued additional interpretative guidance on Governor’s Executive Order issued on March 16, 2020, please click here.

Press Release: On March 18, 2020, the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) canceled its public hearings scheduled for March 26, 2020 out of concern for the health and well-being of the general public and BLLC staff arising from COVID-19. To see a copy of the press release, please click here.

Press Release: Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) announces new precautions it is undertaking during the 2020 renewal season 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. To see the press release, please click here.

Announcement: The Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) will be accepting, but not processing new, transfer, or expansion applications during the month of April of 2020. The BLLC will still accept and process Hardship Extension Requests and Requests to Reopen during April of 2020. Starting May 1, 2020 – the beginning of the new license year – the agency shall only accept BLLC 2020-2021 applications submitted to the agency. The agency shall no longer accept and process BLLC 2019-2020 applications starting on May 1, 2020. Below is a list of the BLLC 2020-2021 applications:

  • New and Transfer Application [PDF]
  • Financial Form Application [PDF]
  • One Day Application [PDF]
  • One Day Non-Profit Beer Festival [PDF]
  • Substitute Application [PDF]
  • Wine Corkage and Growler Fee Application [PDF]
  • Delivery Registration Form [PDF]
  • Pub Tour Promoter’s Permit [PDF]

Please note that all of these documents are fillable PDF documents. Starting on May 1, 2020 these applications will replace the BLLC 2019-2020 applications on its website and within its office. Lastly, the BLLC will not begin to accept and process BLLC 2020-2021 applications until May 1, 2020. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this announcement, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 410-396-4377.

Announcement: On December 2, 2019, Chairman Albert J. Matricciani Jr. of the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) announced the Board’s meeting dates for the first quarter of 2020. They are listed below:

  • January: 2nd, 9th and 23rd
  • February: 6th, 13th and 27th
  • March: 12th and 26th

Please note, that on February 27, 2020 the Board will hold an evening hearing from 5pm to 7pm.

Announcement: To provide additional guidance to licensed establishments within the City of Baltimore, the BLLC requests that all applicable licensees adhere to the following guidelines to ensure compliance with Governor Hogan’s Executive Order issued on March 16, 2020. To see the list of guidelines, please click here. To see Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel issued additional interpretative guidance on Governor’s Executive Order issued on March 16, 2020, please click here.

Announcement: On March 12, 2020 the Department of Transportation (DOT) revoked Special Event Permits across the City related to events wherein an estimated 250 persons or more are expected to attend for reasons related to the recent outbreak of COVID-19. Due to the revocation of these permits, the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for the City of Baltimore (BLLC) has revoked all liquor license permits – which were issued for March 14, 2020/St. Patrick’s Day Event Festivities – associated with special events where expected participation was 250 persons or more.

Please see the list of canceled events below :

  • St. Patrick’s Canton Celebration on O’Donnell Square – 3/13/2020 & 3/14/2020
  • The Shamrock Crawl in Fells Point – 3/14/2020
  • The Irish Stroll Pub Crawl in Federal Hill – 3/14/2020
  • Delia Foley’s Block Party – 3/14/2020
  • Baltimore’s Saint Patrick’s Day 5k – 3/14/2020

In addition, we would ask all of our licensees and stakeholders to review the Baltimore City Health Department COVID-19 Guidance for Mass Gatherings which can be seen here. We encourage all of our licensees and stakeholders to follow these recommended guidelines to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the citizens of Baltimore City.

Announcement: As per Alcoholic Beverages Article 12-1102.2 (g), the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) is authorized to adopt rules and regulations concerning the Related Event Promoter’s Permit for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. On January 24, 2020 the BLLC published for public review and comment a copy of these rules and regulations. On February 23, 2020, the BLLC closed the comment period, reviewed all comments and suggestions, and incorporated new language into the rules and regulations. This new language was reviewed and approved by the Law Department on February 27, 2020. These rules and regulations detail the authority of the BLLC to accept, review, process, and issue promoter permits to promoters or license holders within the City of Baltimore who wish to promote and sell tickets to at least 75 individuals for CIAA related events. In addition, these rules and regulations also outline all permits, fees, and penalties that promoters and license holders will be subject to if they wish to hold a Related Event during the CIAA Tournament. To view the final version of the Related Event Promoter’s Permit Rules & Regulations for the CIAA tournament, please click here. The Board voted and approved these Rules & Regulations during the February 27, 2020 hearing.

Press Release: On February 10, 2020 the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) issued its inaugural Welcome Packet for the purposes of educating its licensees and improving their compliance with State laws and BLLC Rules and Regulations. To see the Press Release, please click here.

Announcement: On March 1, 2020 the alcoholic beverages license renewal process for the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) begins. As per State law, the license renewal season ends on March 31, 2020. Renewal letters, 2020 Renewal Applications, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet have been sent out to all alcoholic beverage licensees. The renewal application, along with the FAQ sheet, and other applicable renewal documents, can be located and downloaded from the BLLC’s Renewal Webpage, which can be found here.

Press Release: Please see the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) FY 2020 6-Month CommunityStat Summary Report. To view the report, click here.

Announcement: As per Alcoholic Beverages Article 12-1102.2 (g), the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City (BLLC) is authorized to adopt rules and regulations concerning the Related Event Promoter’s Permit for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. With publication of these proposed rules and regulations on this day, January 24, 2020, the BLLC is providing 30 days for public comment concerning its draft. These rules and regulations detail the authority of the BLLC to accept, review, process, and issue promoter permits to promoters or license holders within the City of Baltimore who wish to promote and sell tickets to at least 75 individuals for CIAA related events. The draft rules and regulations also outline all permits, fees, and penalties that promoters and license holders will be subject to if they wish to hold a Related Event during the CIAA Tournament. To see a copy of the announcement, please click here. To review a copy of the draft rules and regulations and application, please click here and here.