Alabama § 11-3A-4 - Alcoholic Beverage Licenses in Class 3 Municipalities with Elected County Commission Chair.

§ 11-3A-4. Alcoholic Beverage Licenses in Class 3 Municipalities with Elected County Commission Chair.

(a) This section shall apply to any county with a Class 3 municipality that has an elected county commission chair.

(b) All other provisions of law, rules, or regulations to the contrary notwithstanding, the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board may not issue in the unincorporated area of any applicable county any form of license, including, but not limited to, off-premise consumption licenses, restaurant licenses, or club licenses, for the retail sale of any form of intoxicating beverages, including, but not limited to, malt liquor, beer, wine, liquor, or other alcoholic beverage regulated by the board, unless one of the following requirements are satisfied:

(1) The application has first been approved by the county commission.

(2) The denial of approval by the county commission has been set aside by order of the circuit court of the county on the grounds that approval by the county commission was arbitrarily or capriciously denied without a showing of one of the following:

a. The creation of a nuisance.

b. Circumstances clearly detrimental to or which would adversely affect the public health, safety, and welfare of the adjacent residential neighborhoods.

c. A violation of applicable zoning restrictions or regulations.

d. An individual applying for the license has a prior conviction involving the use of alcohol or a controlled substance.

e. The proximity of the business to a school or child care facility and the business hours of the operation will create a harmful environment for the children.

f. The traffic congestion created by licensing the proposed location will endanger others.

g. Any other reason that poses a risk.

(c) A proceeding in the circuit court to review an action of the county commission denying approval of an application shall be an expedited de novo proceeding heard by a circuit judge without a jury who shall consider any testimony presented by the county commission and any new evidence presented in explanation or contradiction of the testimony. Any proceeding to review the denial of approval of a license application shall be commenced within 14 days of the action by the county commission and shall be set for hearing by the court within 30 days thereafter.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the county commission may adopt ordinances regulating the location of retail licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages.