Anne Arundel County changes entertainment permits and adds outdoor buffers

General and full entertainment permit holders must keep outdoor entertainment areas at least 100 feet from land zoned for residential use. The requirement covers these permit holders in Anne Arundel County and any nearby land zoned for residential use. The rule applies when entertainment authorized by either permit takes place outside. The outdoor distance requirement took effect July 1, 2026.

The background entertainment permit replaces the music permit and changes the entertainment it allows. The permit is available to Anne Arundel County businesses holding Class B, BLX, D, or H alcohol licenses. This permit does not authorize live music, floor shows, or similar live entertainment. The revised background entertainment permit rules took effect July 1, 2026.

The renamed general and full entertainment permits change which activities holders may offer. General permits cover Class B, BLX, D, and H alcohol licenses in Anne Arundel County. Full permits also cover Class C licenses. General permits still prohibit floor shows and similar live entertainment. Full permits retain the 1,000-foot restriction for Class BLX and H premises near schools or places of worship, measured straight from entrance to entrance. The law retains an exception allowing a full permit for Class H premises within that distance of a school at Annapolis Mall. These permit changes took effect July 1, 2026.