Maryland Special Event Liquor Permit: Cost, Rules & How to Apply
Quick answer
In Maryland, alcohol at a one-off public or fundraising event is covered by the Class C per diem license (one-day license issued by the county liquor board), open to a person holding an entertainment event conducted by a club; apply to the local licensing board of the county where the event is held. It costs State default: $5/day beer or beer & wine, $15/day beer, wine & liquor. Most large counties set their own fees by statute (see county rows)..
General information from the state's published rules, not legal advice. Confirm with the agency before your event.
Permit at a glance
- Permit name
- Class C per diem license (one-day license issued by the county liquor board)
- Official source
- mgaleg.maryland.gov State statute — Md. Code, Alc. Bev. & Cannabis § 4-1202
- Fee
- State default: $5/day beer or beer & wine, $15/day beer, wine & liquor. Most large counties set their own fees by statute (see county rows).
- Last verified
- Oct 8, 2026
Who it covers
Who can apply in Maryland.
Who can apply: A person holding an entertainment event conducted by a club; apply to the local licensing board of the county where the event is held
There is no state-issued event license; county boards issue per diem licenses. A Class C per diem license covers up to 7 consecutive days at the place described in the license.
- Can a per diem license be issued for any class?
- Only if a regular license of the same class could be issued.
- How long can a Class C per diem license last?
- Up to 7 consecutive days, at the place described in the license.
- Where must liquor for a per diem beer, wine and liquor license be bought?
- Under the state default rule, from a retail dealer (some counties, e.g. Baltimore County, allow wholesaler purchases).
- Hours of sale
- A temporary license follows the hours and days of a regular license of the corresponding class.
- Nonprofit winery fundraiser permit
- A nonprofit can get a $15 wine permit from the local board for a fund-raising event at a licensed winery; a winery may host up to six such events a year.
- Baltimore City late-application fee
- Baltimore City may charge up to $250 for expedited processing when a per diem application is filed less than 2 weeks before the event.
- Baltimore County multiple 1-day license
- Baltimore County may issue a multiple 1-day license to a 501(c)(3) or (4) charitable organization.
- Anne Arundel County per diem fees
- $25/day beer or beer & wine and $50/day beer, wine & liquor for events under 500 people; for 500 or more, the same rates apply per point of sale per day.
- Who issues one-day licenses in Maryland?
- The local county liquor board where the event is held; each board may have its own requirements.
| Other permit types | Who | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County Class C per diem license | — | $30/day beer or beer & wine; $60/day beer, wine & liquor |
| Baltimore County Class C per diem license | — | Beer or beer & wine: $20/day for religious, fraternal, civic, veterans', charitable or hospital-supporting groups, $30/day others. Beer, wine & liquor: $35/day for those groups, $50/day others. |
| Prince George's County Class C per diem license | — | $75/day beer or beer & wine ($100/day for a club gaming event); $200/day beer, wine & liquor ($150/day for a club gaming event) |
How to apply
2 steps, in order.
- Apply to the local liquor board in the county where the event will be held and follow that board's requirements.
- Submit the application on the required form, signed and sworn to by the applicant.
Neighbors
How Maryland compares.
| State | Fee | Lead time | Nonprofit only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | State default: $5/day beer or beer & wine, $15/day beer, wine & liquor. Most large counties set their own fees by statute (see county rows). | — | — |
| Delaware | $5 for up to two days, $2 each additional day, plus $5 for Sundays and holidays | — | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | $30 per day for each event | 30 days (first-time applicants) | — |
Also needed in Maryland
Training and liability.
Server training
Mandatory in Maryland. Applies to: licensees, managers (Both establishments; Both licensees). APIS data as of 1/1/2025. APIS minimum ages (on-premises): serve beer/wine/spirits 18/18/18, bartend 18/18/21.
Next steps
Related.
Sources
- Maryland — Class C per diem license (one-day license issued by the county liquor board) · State statute — Md. Code, Alc. Bev. & Cannabis § 4-1202, checked Oct 8, 2026
- Maryland — Who issues one-day licenses in Maryland? · State agency (atcc.maryland.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Maryland — server training · Federal summary (NIAAA APIS), checked Jul 29, 2026
General information, not legal advice.