For restaurants across the State of Maryland, Spring is liquor license renewal season. As with many things we have all grown accustomed to, however, it looks like the renewal season may be postponed. Late last week, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued an executive order extending all state license expiration dates that would have otherwise occurred during the current state of emergency, and permitting all state agencies (which include, for these purposes, County Liquor Boards), to extend all applicable renewal deadlines. Pursuant to the order, all expiration dates will now be the 30th day after the state of emergency is lifted.
It is important to note that the order does not specify when applicable renewal application deadlines will occur. These deadlines are set by the individual liquor boards and, notwithstanding this order, licensees should be careful not to miss them. We are working with our local county liquor boards to determine how this will impact currently pending license renewal deadlines and will update this post when we have more information. If you have specific questions about how this might effect your restaurant’s license renewal, please contact our office.