DelawareLarge Delaware municipalities may restrict where new liquor stores can open
Delaware municipalities with at least 50,000 residents may set stricter location rules for new liquor stores, and the state must deny licenses that violate those rules.
What it does
Delaware municipalities with at least 50,000 residents may adopt local laws setting stricter location rules than state law for new stores selling alcohol to drink elsewhere.
The state’s alcohol licensing commissioner must deny a new liquor store’s license if it violates location rules adopted under this authority by a municipality with at least 50,000 residents.
Argument forLocal officials could respond to residents’ concerns about where new liquor stores open by setting location rules that fit their community.
Argument againstOwners could have fewer places to open new liquor stores because the state must deny licenses that violate stricter local location rules.
More detail
Municipalities with at least 50,000 residents may set stricter location rules for new liquor stores. The rules cover new stores selling alcohol for people to drink elsewhere. The municipality must adopt the rules through an ordinance, a local law.
The Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner must deny licenses that fail to meet these local location rules. This requirement covers new stores selling alcohol to drink elsewhere in municipalities with at least 50,000 residents. The local rules must come from an ordinance adopted under this authority.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 23Signed by Governor Matt MeyerBecame Law
- Jun 17Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YESPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- May 20Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 4 On Its MeritsMinor
- Mar 19Assigned to Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee in SenateMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 19Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 3 ABSENTPassed House
- Mar 10Reported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 11 On Its MeritsMinor
- Jan 8Introduced and Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in HouseIntroduced
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