Minors - Sales in Proximity to Liquor Store

Baltimore City Code art. 19, subtit. 32

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 32-1 Definitions.

§ 32-1. Definitions. (a) In general. In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated. (b) Close proximity .... “Close proximity to liquor store” means located: (1) on the premises of a liquor store; or (2) in a structure that immediately adjoins a liquor store and has direct access to the interior of that liquor store. (c) Liquor store. (1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, “liquor store” means any establishment that sells alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption. (2) Inclusions. “Liquor store” includes a licensee who holds one of the following off-sale licenses: (i) a Class A beer, wine, and liquor license; (ii) a Class A-2 beer, wine, and liquor off-sale package goods license; and (iii) a Class B-D-7 beer, wine, and liquor license if, on an annual basis, the Class B-D-7 licensee’s average daily receipts from sales of alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption exceeds 40% of the licensee’s total average daily receipts from all sales (on-sale and off-sale) of alcoholic beverages. (3) Exclusions. “Liquor store” does not include: (i) an establishment that sells non-alcoholic products (e.g., groceries or other food items, paper goods, home and office supplies, and other goods or merchandise) the average daily receipts from which sales, on an annual basis, exceed 80% of the establishment’s total average daily receipts; or (ii) a licensee who holds: (A) an on-sale license (other than a Class B-D-7 license included under paragraph (2)(iii) of this subsection); or (B) one of the following off-sale licenses: 1. Class A beer and light wine license (off-sale); and 2. Class A2 light wine license (on- and off-sale). (Ord. 22-125; Ord. 12-046.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 32-2 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 32-3 Sales to minors.

§ 32-3. Sales to minors. No person in close proximity to a liquor store may sell any food, goods, supplies, or other merchandise (even if non-alcoholic) to any minor. (Ord. 12-046.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 32-4 Inducing minor to purchase.

§ 32-4. Inducing minor to purchase. No person may request or induce a minor to purchase any food, goods, supplies, or other merchandise in violation of § 32-3 {“Sales to minors”} of this subtitle. (Ord. 12-046.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 32-5 False representation by minor.

§ 32-5. False representation by minor. No minor may knowingly and falsely represent her- or himself to any person as being 18 years old or older for the purpose of purchasing any food, goods, supplies, or other merchandise in violation of § 32-3 {“Sales to minors”} of this subtitle. (Ord. 12-046.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, §§ 32-6 to 32-8 {Reserved}

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 32-9 Enforcement by citation.

§ 32-9. Enforcement by citation. (a) In general. In addition to any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement procedure, this subtitle may be enforced by issuance of: (1) an environmental citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 40 {“Environmental Control Board”}; or (2) a civil citation under City Code Article 1, Subtitle 41 {“Civil Citations”}. (b) Process not exclusive. The issuance of a citation to enforce this subtitle does not preclude pursuing any other civil or criminal remedy or enforcement action authorized by law. (Ord. 12-046.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 19, § 32-10 Criminal penalties.

§ 32-10. Criminal penalties. (a) In general. Any person who violates a provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to the penalties specified in this section. (b) Penalty amounts. (1) For a violation of § 32-3 {“Sales to minors”} or § 32-4 {“Inducing minor to purchase”}, the penalty is a fine of not more than $500 for each offense. (2) For a violation of § 32-5 {“False representation by minor”}, the penalty is as follows: (1) for a 1st conviction, a fine of not more than $100 for each offense; and (2) for a 2nd or subsequent conviction, a fine of not more than $250 for each offense. (Ord. 12-046.)

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/19/32Fetched: 10/25/2026