§36–411.

    (a)    (1)    A protest against a license renewal may be filed with the Administration by at least 10 individuals who are:

            (i)    residents, commercial tenants who are not holders of or applicants for a license, or real estate owners; and

            (ii)    located within 1,000 feet of the licensed premises.

        (2)    A protest against a license renewal shall:

            (i)    be on the basis of:

                1.    a violation of this title;

                2.    a violation of civil or criminal law;

                3.    conduct by a licensee that creates or maintains conditions that allow other individuals to act in a manner that disturbs the public peace, including:

                A.    obstruction of public rights–of–way by unruly crowds;

                B.    assault, battery, or other disorderly conduct that disturbs the public peace;

                C.    vandalism; or

                D.    littering; or

                4.    any other violation established by the Administration by regulation; and

            (ii)    be signed under oath.

    (b)    (1)    Except as provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, if a protest against a license renewal is filed at least 30 days before the license expires, the Administration may not approve the renewal without holding a hearing.

        (2)    The Administration may approve a license renewal without a hearing if the Administration finds that the basis of the protest filed against the renewal is without any reasonable ground.

    (c)    In hearing and making a determination on a protest filed against a license renewal, the Administration:

        (1)    may consider only:

            (i)    issues arising out of specific complaints about the operation of the licensed premises; and

            (ii)    the performance of the license holder for the 4–year period immediately preceding the date of the renewal application; and

        (2)    may not consider zoning issues.

    (d)    The Administration may adopt regulations to implement this section.