Garrett County allows winery event permits and tightens catering rules

Garrett County’s alcohol licensing board may issue special event permits to wineries. Class 3 wineries and Class 4 limited wineries may sell their own wine, beer, sparkling wine, and liquor for drinking at the private event. Parties must be reserved at least seven days ahead. The winery must also notify the board at least seven days before the event. The entire licensed property must be rented, and the public cannot enter during the event. The permit costs $1,750 annually, plus a one-time $1,750 issuing fee. It may be used no more than 32 times per calendar year. Service staff must be present whenever food or alcohol is available. A permit holder or employee certified in alcohol awareness must be present whenever alcohol is available . The permit rules took effect July 1, 2026. An event for the same client may last up to seven days.

Winery permit holders must follow limits on event hours, alcohol purchases, and storage. These limits apply to wineries using the special event permit. Alcohol the winery did not produce cannot stay on its licensed property between events. Sunday sales are allowed only in election districts 11 and 15 or areas where voters approve them through an authorized referendum. Beer, sparkling wine, and liquor sold under the permit must come from a licensed Garrett County alcohol retailer. Wineries must keep purchase receipts for one year and make them available to the board. Permit holders cannot have a direct or indirect financial interest in the licensed caterer or another contracted party. Starting July 1, 2026, events may run Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. the next day. Allowed Sunday sales run from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Covered alcohol businesses must supply service staff who remain throughout catered events. The staffing rules cover the listed restaurant, hotel, resort, and other alcohol licenses with catering options, plus local caterer’s licenses. Catering-option events must have at least one person certified in alcohol awareness. Off-site catering must serve people of legal drinking age at locations without an alcohol license or with a temporary board-issued license. Businesses must provide food and follow the hours and days allowed for their license. These requirements took effect July 1, 2026.

Alcohol license applicants must state their citizenship status on their applications. The requirement applies to applicants for alcohol licenses in Garrett County. Noncitizens must state that their immigration status complies with federal law and provide evidence verifying that status. The application requirement took effect July 1, 2026.

The governor must appoint one substitute member to Garrett County’s alcohol licensing board. The substitute joins the three regular members of Garrett County’s Board of License Commissioners. County commissioners set the substitute’s salary. The substitute may serve only when illness or a conflict of interest leaves too few regular members to conduct board business. While serving, the substitute has the same powers and duties as a regular member. The change took effect July 1, 2026.