Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-5-19 (2026)

Transfer or relocation of license

✓ current as of July 2026

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(a) The board, body or official which has issued any license under this title may permit the license to be used at any other place within the limits of the town or city where the license was granted, or, in their discretion, permit the license to be transferred to another person, but in all cases of change of licensed place or of transfer of license, the issuing body shall, before permitting the change or transfer, give notice of the application for the change or transfer in the same manner as is provided in this chapter in the case of original application for the license, and a new bond shall be given upon the issuance of the license provided, that notice by mail need not be made in the case of a transfer of a license without relocation. In all cases of transfer of license, indebtedness of the licensee incurred in the operation of the licensed premises shall be paid to or released by an objecting creditor before the issuing body permits the transfer. In cases of dispute as to the amount of indebtedness, the issuing body, may, in its discretion, permit the transfer upon statement of the licensee, under oath, that the claim of indebtedness is disputed and that the statement of dispute is not interposed for the purpose of inducing transfer of the license. No creditor is allowed to object to the transfer of a license by a receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, assignee for the benefit of creditors, executor, administrator, guardian or by any public officer under judicial process. In case of the death of any licensee, the license becomes part of the personal estate of the deceased. The holders of any retail Class A license within the city or town issuing or transferring a Class A license have standing to be heard before the board, body, or official granting or transferring the license.

(b) The transfer of a license is contingent upon the full payment of outstanding police detail bills.

(c) The transferee of a license assumes all penalties that the license board has imposed upon the transferor of the license.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 11 cases, 1968–2009 · leading case: 632 Metacom Assocs. v. Pub Dennis of Warren, Inc., 591 A.2d 379 (R.I. 1991).

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632 Metacom Assocs. v. Pub Dennis of Warren, Inc., 591 A.2d 379 (R.I. 1991). · cites it 22× “1956 (1987 Reenactment) § 3-5-19 from objecting to the transfer of the liquor license by the receiver pursuant to a court-authorized sale.”

In Re Hoffman, 65 B.R. 985 (D.R.I. 1986). · cites it 11× “” At the least, this language unambiguously recognizes as a matter of state law the authority of a trustee in bankruptcy to transfer a liquor license as property of the estate.”

Hallsmith-Sysco Food Servs., LLC v. Marques, 970 A.2d 1211 (R.I. 2009). · cites it 4× “As a means of protecting its status as a judgment creditor, Hallsmith-Sysco sought to file with the town an objection to any future transfer of Wickford Gourmet’s liquor license under G.L. 1956 § 3-5-19. 1 *1213 On November 10, 2007, an attorney on behalf of Hallsmith-Sysco…”

Ramsay v. Sarkas, 295 A.2d 416 (R.I. 1972). · cites it 6× “The applicant had applied to the local licensing authority for permission to transfer its Class A retail beverage license to 191 Willett Avenue in that city, such application for permission to re *592 locate its place of business being made pursuant to the provisions of §3-5-19.…”

In Re Hoffman, 53 B.R. 874 (Bankr. D.R.I. 1985). · cites it 2× “LAWS § 3-5-19, the right of a trustee in bankruptcy to transfer a license, notwithstanding the indebtedness of the licensee, has been recognized since at least 1959.”

In Re Camelot Court, Inc., 21 B.R. 596 (Bankr. D.R.I. 1982). · cites it 2× “— The holder of license issued pursuant to this title shall not assign, rent, lease or let the same but may transfer his interest therein only as provided in § 3-5-19. R.I.Gen.Law § 3-5-19. Transfer or relocation of license.”

PUB Dennis of Mineral Spring Avenue, Inc. v. Town of North Providence (In Re PUB Dennis of Mineral Spring Avenue, Inc.), 126 B.R. 903 (Bankr. D.R.I. 1991). · cites it 4× “LAWS § 3-5-19 provides that “[i]n all cases of transfer of license, indebtedness of the licensee incurred in the operation of the licensed premises shall be paid to or released by an objecting creditor before the issuing body shall permit the transfer.”

Beacon Restaurant, Inc. v. Adamo, 241 A.2d 291 (R.I. 1968). “1956, §3-5-19, a local licensing board may allow the transfer of an outstanding license only after it has given public notice of the pending application in a manner set forth in §3-5-17.”

El Nido, Inc. v. Goldstein, 626 A.2d 239 (R.I. 1993). “§ 3-5-19 (permitting the transfer of a liquor license when the maximum limit of liquor licenses in a city or town, as set pursuant to § 3-5-16, has been reached).”

Samuel's Realty Co., Inc. v. McCarthy, 512 A.2d 872 (R.I. 1986). “” General Laws 1956 (1976 Reenactment) § 3-5-19, as amended by P.L.1977, ch. 216, § 1.”

Gillson v. Town of Middletown (In re Gillson), 134 B.R. 702 (D.R.I. 1991). · cites it 2× “R.I.Gen. Laws § 3-5-19 (1987 Reenactment).”

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