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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>56780</law_id><section_number>4.1-225</section_number><catch_line>Grounds for which Board may suspend or revoke licenses; exception</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>4.1-130</reference><reference>4.1-211</reference><reference>4.1-212.1</reference><reference>4.1-229</reference><reference>4.1-325</reference><reference>4.1-325.2</reference><reference>4.1-509.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="4.1">Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">Alcoholic Beverage Control Act</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="2">Administration of Licenses</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="2">Licenses Granted by Board; Limitations; Revocation and Suspension</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may suspend or revoke any license other than a brewery license, in which case the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may impose penalties as provided in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Suspension or revocation of licenses; notice and hearings; imposition of penalties" href="/4.1-227/">4.1-227</a>, if it has reasonable cause to believe that: <a id="paragraph-207778" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> The <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, or if the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> is a partnership, any general partner thereof, or if the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> is an association, any member thereof, or a limited partner of 10 percent or more with voting rights, or if the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> is a corporation, any officer, director, or shareholder owning 10 percent or more of its capital stock, or if the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> is a limited liability company, any member-manager or any member owning 10 percent or more of the membership interest of the limited liability company:
				a. Has misrepresented a <span class="dictionary">material</span> <span class="dictionary">fact</span> in applying to the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> for such license;
				b. Within the five years immediately preceding the date of the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> held in accordance with &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Suspension or revocation of licenses; notice and hearings; imposition of penalties" href="/4.1-227/">4.1-227</a>, has (i) been convicted of a violation of any <span class="dictionary">law</span>, <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, or regulation of the Commonwealth, of any county, city, or town in the Commonwealth, of any state, or of the United States, applicable to the manufacture, transportation, <span class="dictionary">possession</span>, use, or <span class="dictionary">sale</span> of <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span>; (ii) violated any provision of Chapter 3 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Illegal manufacture and bottling; penalty" href="/4.1-300/">4.1-300</a> et seq.); (iii) committed a violation of the <span class="dictionary">Wine</span> Franchise Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Construction and purpose" href="/4.1-400/">4.1-400</a> et seq.) or the <span class="dictionary">Beer</span> Franchise Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/4.1-500/">4.1-500</a> et seq.) in bad faith; (iv) violated or failed or refused to comply with any regulation, rule, or <span class="dictionary">order</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>; or (v) failed or refused to comply with any of the conditions or restrictions of the license granted by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>;
				c. Has been convicted in any <span class="dictionary">court</span> of a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> or of any <span class="dictionary">crime</span> or <span class="dictionary">offense</span> involving <span class="dictionary">moral turpitude</span> under the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of any state, or of the United States;
				d. Is not the legitimate owner of the business conducted under the license granted by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>, or other persons have ownership interests in the business which have not been disclosed;
				e. Cannot demonstrate financial responsibility sufficient to meet the requirements of the business conducted under the license granted by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span>;
				f. Has been <span class="dictionary">intoxicated</span> or under the influence of some self-administered drug while upon the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises;
				g. Has maintained the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises in an unsanitary condition, or allowed such premises to become a meeting place or rendezvous for members of a criminal street gang as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/18.2-46.1/">18.2-46.1</a> or persons of ill repute, or has allowed any form of illegal gambling to take place upon such premises;
				h. Knowingly employs in the business conducted under such license, as agent, servant, or employee, other than a busboy, cook, or other kitchen help, any person who has been convicted in any <span class="dictionary">court</span> of a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> or of any <span class="dictionary">crime</span> or <span class="dictionary">offense</span> involving <span class="dictionary">moral turpitude</span>, or who has violated the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the Commonwealth, of any other state, or of the United States, applicable to the manufacture, transportation, <span class="dictionary">possession</span>, use, or <span class="dictionary">sale</span> of <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span>;
				i. Subsequent to the granting of his original license, has demonstrated by his police record a lack of respect for <span class="dictionary">law</span> and <span class="dictionary">order</span>;
				j. Has allowed the consumption of <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> upon the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises by any person whom he knew or had reason to believe was (i) less than 21 years of age, (ii) interdicted, or (iii) <span class="dictionary">intoxicated</span>, or has allowed any person whom he knew or had reason to believe was <span class="dictionary">intoxicated</span> to loiter upon such <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises;
				k. Has allowed any person to consume upon the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises any <span class="dictionary">alcoholic beverages</span> except as provided under this subtitle;
				l. Is physically unable to carry on the business conducted under such license or has been adjudicated incapacitated;
				m. Has allowed any obscene literature, pictures, or <span class="dictionary">materials</span> upon the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises;
				n. Has possessed any illegal gambling apparatus, machine, or device upon the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises;
				o. Has upon the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises (i) illegally possessed, distributed, sold, or used, or has knowingly allowed any employee or agent, or any other person, to illegally possess, distribute, <span class="dictionary">sell</span>, or use marijuana, controlled substances, imitation controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, or controlled paraphernalia as those terms are defined in Articles 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Use of terms &quot;controlled substances,&quot; &quot;marijuana,&quot; &quot;Schedules I, II, III, IV, V, and VI,&quot; &quot;imitation controlled substance,&quot; and &quot;counterfeit controlled substance&quot; in Title 18.2" href="/18.2-247/">18.2-247</a> et seq.) and 1.1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definition" href="/18.2-265.1/">18.2-265.1</a> et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 and the Drug Control Act (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Citation" href="/54.1-3400/">54.1-3400</a> et seq.); (ii) laundered money in violation of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Money laundering; penalties" href="/18.2-246.3/">18.2-246.3</a>; or (iii) conspired to commit any drug-related <span class="dictionary">offense</span> in violation of Article 1 or 1.1 of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 or the Drug Control Act. The provisions of this subdivision shall also apply to any conduct related to the operation of the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> business that facilitates the commission of any of the <span class="dictionary">offenses</span> set forth herein;
				p. Has failed to take reasonable measures to prevent (i) the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises, (ii) any premises immediately adjacent to the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises that are owned or leased by the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, or (iii) any portion of public property immediately adjacent to the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises from becoming a place where patrons of the <span class="dictionary">establishment</span> commit criminal violations of Article 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Murder and manslaughter declared felonies" href="/18.2-30/">18.2-30</a> et seq.), 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="&quot;Mob&quot; defined" href="/18.2-38/">18.2-38</a> et seq.), 2.1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/18.2-46.1/">18.2-46.1</a> et seq.), 2.2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/18.2-46.4/">18.2-46.4</a> et seq.), 3 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Abduction and kidnapping defined; forced labor; punishment" href="/18.2-47/">18.2-47</a> et seq.), 4 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc" href="/18.2-51/">18.2-51</a> et seq.), 5 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Robbery; penalties" href="/18.2-58/">18.2-58</a> et seq.), 6 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Extortion of money, property or pecuniary benefit" href="/18.2-59/">18.2-59</a> et seq.), or 7 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Rape" href="/18.2-61/">18.2-61</a> et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; Article 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving motor vehicle, engine, etc., while intoxicated, etc" href="/18.2-266/">18.2-266</a> et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2; Article 3 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Prostitution; commercial sexual conduct; penalties" href="/18.2-346/">18.2-346</a> et seq.) or 5 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="&quot;Obscene&quot; defined" href="/18.2-372/">18.2-372</a> et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2; or Article 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Obstructing free passage of others" href="/18.2-404/">18.2-404</a> et seq.), 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Disorderly conduct in public places" href="/18.2-415/">18.2-415</a>), or 3 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Punishment for using abusive language to another" href="/18.2-416/">18.2-416</a> et seq.) of Chapter 9 of Title 18.2 and such violations lead to <span class="dictionary">arrests</span> that are so frequent and serious as to reasonably be deemed a continuing threat to the public safety; or
				q. Has failed to take reasonable measures to prevent an act of violence resulting in death or serious bodily injury, or a recurrence of such acts, from occurring on (i) the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises, (ii) any premises immediately adjacent to the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises that is owned or leased by the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, or (iii) any portion of public property immediately adjacent to the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises. <a id="paragraph-207779" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The place occupied by the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>:
				a. Does not conform to the requirements of the governing body of the county, city, or town in which such <span class="dictionary">establishment</span> is located, with respect to sanitation, health, construction, or equipment, or to any similar requirements established by the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the Commonwealth or by <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulations;
				b. Has been adjudicated a common nuisance under the provisions of this subtitle or &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Certain premises deemed common nuisance; penalty" href="/18.2-258/">18.2-258</a>; or
				c. Has become a meeting place or rendezvous for illegal gambling, illegal users of narcotics, drunks, prostitutes, pimps, panderers, or habitual <span class="dictionary">law</span> violators or has become a place where illegal drugs are regularly used or distributed. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> may consider the general reputation in the community of such <span class="dictionary">establishment</span> in addition to any other competent <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> in making such determination. <a id="paragraph-207780" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> or any employee of the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> discriminated against any member of the armed forces of the United States by prices charged or otherwise. <a id="paragraph-207781" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> The <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>, his employees, or any entertainer performing on the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises has been convicted of a violation of a local public nudity <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> for conduct occurring on the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises and the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> allowed such conduct to occur. <a id="paragraph-207782" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A5" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Any cause exists for which the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> would have been entitled to refuse to grant such license had the <span class="dictionary">facts</span> been known. <a id="paragraph-207783" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225/#A5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A6" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> The <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> is delinquent for a period of 90 days or more in the payment of any taxes, or any penalties or interest related thereto, lawfully imposed by the locality where the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> business is located, as certified by the treasurer, commissioner of the revenue, or finance director of such locality, unless (i) the outstanding amount is de minimis; (ii) the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> has pending a bona fide application for correction or <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> with respect to such taxes, penalties, or interest; or (iii) the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> has entered into a payment plan approved by the same locality to settle the outstanding liability. <a id="paragraph-207784" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225/#A6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A7" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Any other cause authorized by this subtitle. <a id="paragraph-207785" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225/#A7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision A 1 h, a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> may employ a person who has been convicted of a <span class="dictionary">felony</span> or a <span class="dictionary">crime</span> involving <span class="dictionary">moral turpitude</span> if (i) except for violations of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Attempts to poison" href="/18.2-54.1/">18.2-54.1</a> or <a class="law" title="Adulteration of food, drink, drugs, cosmetics, etc.; penalty" href="/18.2-54.2/">18.2-54.2</a>, two years have elapsed following the <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> and the person has completed and been released from the term of any <span class="dictionary">probation</span> or <span class="dictionary">parole</span>, if applicable, or (ii) the <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> has obtained written approval for such employment from the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span> and, in instances in which the person has not completed or been released from the term of any <span class="dictionary">probation</span> or <span class="dictionary">parole</span>, the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span> has consulted with the person&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">probation</span> and <span class="dictionary">parole</span> officer. <a id="paragraph-207786" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/4.1-225/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 4-37; 1956, c. 521; 1970, cc. 545, 676; 1976, cc. 696, 698, 702; 1978, c. 579; 1979, c. 537; 1980, c. 299; 1981, cc. 24, 586, 600; 1982, c. 214; 1983, c. 608; 1984, cc. 180, 200, 703; 1985, c. 559; 1986, cc. 101, 318, 615; 1987, c. 252; 1991, c. 468; 1992, cc. 161, 820; 1993, c. 866; 1996, c. 404; 1997, c. 801; 2002, c. 352; 2003, c. 594; 2007, c. 103; 2008, cc. 185, 794; 2009, c. 486; 2011, cc. 384, 410; 2013, c. 661; 2014, cc. 233, 674, 719; 2017, cc. 698, 707; 2020, c. 122; 2023, c. 774.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
