Olszewski to Waive 2021 Liquor License Renewal Fees

March 17, 2021

TOWSON, MD —  Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced that the County will waive fees for liquor license holders for the coming year in order to provide additional relief for license holders that have seen reduced revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our bars and restaurants add to the vibrancy of our communities, and it’s in everyone’s best interests to provide support so that they can weather this storm,” Olszewski said. “We will continue to look for ways to support our residents and key sectors of our economy as we recover from the pandemic and the recession it has caused.”

Typically, license holders must pay their annual license fee each year by May 1, and the license is good for one year. The waiver will apply to the following license holders:

  • Class B – Restaurants. There are 356 restaurant licensees in the County. The annual license fee is $1,500.
  • Class C – Non-Profit Clubs. There are 92 club licensees in the County. The annual license fee is $1,000.
  • Class D – Taverns. There are 149 tavern licensees in the County. The annual license fee is $1,500.

Each licensee will be asked to sign a fee waiver agreement containing the terms of the waiver. The agreement will contain explicit language requiring the licensee to follow all Baltimore County rules and regulations, including COVID restrictions regarding masks and social distancing. Failure to abide by rules and regulation will be considered grounds for revocation of the fee waiver.
 
Olszewski has taken a number of steps to support bars and restaurants, which have been significantly impacted by the pandemic, including distributing more than $16 million in grants to restaurants in the County. In addition, Olszewski signed an Executive Order to cap fees charged to restaurants by food delivery apps. Early in the pandemic, the County announced that restaurant and bar liquor license holders would temporarily be allowed to deliver alcoholic beverages to County residents.
 
In addition, Olszewski recently proposed legislation to allow more bars and restaurants to host live music. The NOTE Act is currently under consideration by the County Council.

Facebook Twitter