§ 3-7-7 - Class B license.
SECTION 3-7-7
§ 3-7-7 Class B license. – (a) A retailer's Class B license is issued only to a licensed bona fide tavernkeeper or victualer whose tavern or victualing house may be open for businessand regularly patronized at least from nine o'clock (9:00) a.m. to seveno'clock (7:00) p.m. provided no beverage is sold or served after one o'clock(1:00) a.m., nor before six o'clock (6:00) a.m. Local licensing boards may fixan earlier closing time within their jurisdiction, at their discretion. TheEast Greenwich town council may, in its discretion, issue full and limitedClass B licenses which may not be transferred, but which shall revert to thetown of East Greenwich if not renewed by the holder. The Cumberland towncouncil may, in its discretion, issue full and limited Class B licenses whichmay not be transferred to another person or entity, or to another location, butwhich shall revert to the town of Cumberland if not renewed by the holder.
The Pawtucket city council may, in its discretion, issue fulland limited Class B licenses which may not be transferred to another person orentity, or to another location, but which shall revert to the city of Pawtucketif not renewed by the holder. This legislation shall not affect any Class Blicense holders whose licenses were issued by the Pawtucket city council withthe right to transfer.
(2) The license authorizes the holder to keep for sale andsell beverages including beer in cans, at retail at the place described and todeliver them for consumption on the premises or place where sold, but only attables or a lunch bar where food is served. It also authorizes the charging ofa cover, minimum, or door charge. The amount of the cover, or minimum, or doorcharge is posted at the entrance of the establishments in a prominent place.
(3) Holders of licenses are not permitted to hold danceswithin the licensed premises, unless proper permits have been properly obtainedfrom the local licensing authorities.
(4) Any holder of a Class B license may, upon the approval ofthe local licensing board and for the additional payment of two hundred dollars($200) to five hundred dollars ($500), open for business at twelve o'clock(12:00) p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays and the night before legal stateholidays may close at two o'clock (2:00) a.m. All requests for a two o'clock(2:00) a.m. license shall be advertised by the local licensing board in anewspaper having a circulation in the county where the establishment applyingfor the license is located.
(5) A holder of a retailer's Class B license is allowed toerect signs advertising his or her business and products sold on the premises,including neon signs, and is allowed to light those signs during all lawfulbusiness hours, including Sundays and holidays.
(b) The annual license fee for a tavern keeper shall be fourhundred dollars ($400) to two thousand dollars ($2,000), and for a victualerthe license fee shall be four hundred dollars ($400) to two thousand dollars($2,000). In towns with a population of less than two thousand five hundred(2,500) inhabitants, as determined by the last census taken under the authorityof the United States or the state, the fee for each retailer's Class B licenseshall be determined by the town council, but shall in no case be less thanthree hundred dollars ($300) annually. If the applicant requests it in his orher application, any retailer's Class B license may be issued limiting the saleof beverages on the licensed premises to malt and vinous beverages containingnot more than twenty percent (20%) alcohol by volume, and the fee for thatlimited Class B license shall be two hundred dollars ($200) to one thousandfive hundred dollars ($1,500) annually. The fee for any Class B license shallin each case be prorated to the year ending December 1 in every calendar year.
(1) Upon the approval and designation of a district ordistricts within its city or town by the local licensing board, the locallicensing board may issue to any holder of a Class B license or a Class EDlicense, an extended hours permit to extend closing hours on Thursdays, Fridaysand Saturdays, the night before a legal state holiday or such other days asdetermined by the local board, for one hour past such license holder's legalclosing time as established by the license holder's license or licensesincluding, but not limited to, those issued pursuant to subdivision (4) hereof.The extended hours permit shall not permit the sale of alcohol during theextended one-hour period and shall prohibit the admittance of new patrons inthe establishment during the extended one-hour period. The designation of suchdistrict(s) shall be for a duration of not less than six (6) months. Prior todesignating any such district, the local licensing authority shall hold ahearing on the proposed designation. The proposed designation shall include theboundaries of the proposed district, the applicable days for the extendedhours, and the duration of the designation and the conditions imposed. Theproposed designation shall be advertised at least once per week for three (3)weeks prior to the hearing in a newspaper in general circulation in the city ortown. The city or town will establish an application process for an extendedhours permit for such license holder and may adopt rules and regulations toadminister the permit.