§ 20-102. Baltimore City

   (a) Applicability. -- This section applies only in Baltimore City.

(b) Restrictions. -- Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, an establishment that is not licensed by the Board of License Commissioners may not give, serve, dispense, keep, or allow to be consumed on its premises, or on premises under its control or possession, any alcoholic beverages.

(c) Consumption of alcoholic beverages under certain circumstances. -- A restaurant as defined in § 1-102(a)(22)(i) and (ii) of this article that is not licensed by the Board of License Commissioners may allow a patron to consume alcoholic beverages from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. the following day if:

   (1) The alcoholic beverages are brought to the restaurant by the patron;

   (2) The alcoholic beverages are consumed with a meal;

   (3) There is no charge for admission to the restaurant; and

   (4) The Baltimore City Fire Department determines that the maximum seating capacity of the restaurant is 50.

(d) Immediate closure of operations. --

   (1) The Baltimore City Police Department may immediately close all operations of an establishment if the Department determines that the establishment is in violation of this section and that the public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action.

   (2) The establishment shall be closed until the Baltimore City Police Department determines that the public health, safety, or welfare has been restored.

   (3) The owner or operator of the establishment shall be given an opportunity to request a prompt hearing in circuit court on when the establishment may reopen.

(e) Violations. -- A violation of this section is a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, the court shall impose a fine of up to $ 10,000 or imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both.

HISTORY: 1998, ch. 427, § 2; 1999, ch. 34, § 1; 2000, ch. 476, § 1; 2008, ch. 425, § 2; 2010, chs. 550, 551.