1. (a)

   1. (1) On the premises, or on adjacent property over which a license holder has ownership or control, a license holder:

      1. (i) may allow piped-in background music or one television screen; but

      2. (ii) unless issued a permit described in this section that authorizes the activity, may not allow:

         1. 1. the playing of music, including live music;
         2. 2. the operation of a karaoke machine;
         3. 3. the playing of music by a disc jockey; or
         4. 4. dancing, floor shows, or any other similar type of entertainment.

   2. (2) The Board may issue a permit described in this section only if the Board finds that:

      1. (i) the applicant can control the individuals using the licensed premises;
      2. (ii) the operation of the premises under the permit will not unduly disturb the peace of the residents of the neighborhood in which the place of business is located; and

      3. (iii) the issuing of the permit:

         1. 1. is necessary to accommodate the public;
         2. 2. will not be detrimental to the public welfare; and
         3. 3. will not violate a county fire, health, or building regulation.

2. (b)

   1. (1) There is a music permit.
   2. (2) The Board may issue the permit to a holder of a Class B license, a Class BLX license, a Class D license, or a Class H license.
   3. (3) The permit authorizes the playing of recorded music or live music with not more than two musicians.
   4. (4) The permit holder may not allow dancing, floor shows, or similar live entertainment.
   5. (5) The annual permit fee is $100.

3. (c)

   1. (1) There is an entertainment permit.
   2. (2) The Board may issue the permit to a holder of a Class B license, a Class BLX license, a Class D license, or a Class H license.

   3. (3) The permit authorizes:

      1. (i) live music with not more than four musicians; and

      2. (ii) the playing of:

         1. 1. more than one television;
         2. 2. a karaoke machine; and
         3. 3. music by a disc jockey.
   4. (4) The permit holder may not allow dancing, floor shows, or similar live entertainment.

   5. (5) The annual permit fees are:

      1. (i) $200 for a holder of a beer and wine license; and
      2. (ii) $300 for a holder of a beer, wine, and liquor license.

4. (d)

   1. (1) There is a dancing permit.

   2. (2) The Board may issue the permit to a holder of:

      1. (i) a Class B license;
      2. (ii) except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, a Class BLX license;
      3. (iii) a Class C license;
      4. (iv) a Class D license; or
      5. (v) except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, a Class H license.
   3. (3) The permit authorizes the holder to provide music, dancing, and other legal forms of entertainment.

   4. (4)

      1. (i) The Board may not issue the permit to a holder of a Class BLX license or a Class H license if the premises for which the Class BLX license or Class H license is issued is within 1,000 feet in a straight line from entry to entry from a place of worship or school.
      2. (ii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the Board may issue the permit to the holder of a Class H license if the licensed premises is located within 1,000 feet in a straight line from entry to entry from a school located at the Annapolis Mall.

   5. (5) The annual permit fees are:

      1. (i) $200 for a holder of a beer and wine license;
      2. (ii) $400 for a holder of a beer, wine, and liquor license; and
      3. (iii) no charge for a holder of a Class C license.

5. (e)

   1. (1) There is a limited special event permit.

   2. (2) The Board, in its sole discretion, may issue the permit to a holder of:

      1. (i) a Class B license;
      2. (ii) except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, a Class BLX license;
      3. (iii) a Class C license;
      4. (iv) a Class D license; or
      5. (v) except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, a Class H license.
   3. (3) The permit authorizes the holder to provide music, dancing, and other legal forms of entertainment.
   4. (4) The Board may not issue the permit to a holder of a Class BLX license or a Class H license if the premises for which the Class BLX license or Class H license is issued is within 1,000 feet in a straight line from entry to entry from a place of worship or school.
   5. (5) Before issuing a permit, the Board may require a license holder to provide information on the planned event for which the permit is requested.

6. (f)

   1. (1) There is an outdoor permit.
   2. (2) The Board may issue the permit to a holder of a Class B license, a Class BLX license, a Class C license, a Class D license, or a Class H license.
   3. (3) The permit authorizes the holder to provide outdoor table service to customers on the grounds of the licensed establishment.
   4. (4) The annual permit fee is $100.
   5. (5) Before the permit may be renewed, a holder shall obtain approval from the Board.

7. (g)

   1. (1) There is an outdoor entertainment permit.
   2. (2) The Board may issue the permit to a holder of a Class B license, a Class BLX license, a Class C license, a Class D license, or a Class H license who also holds a music permit, an entertainment permit, or a dancing permit under this section.

   3. (3) The permit authorizes the holder to provide:

      1. (i) the same form of entertainment outdoors that the holder is allowed to provide indoors under the holder's music permit, entertainment permit, or dancing permit; and
      2. (ii) outdoor table service or cafe service.

Added by Acts 2016, c. 41, § 2, eff. July 1, 2016. Amended by Acts 2016, c. 110, § 1, eff. July 1, 2016; Acts 2025, c. 838, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 839, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 842, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025.