DE HB132

Amends Delaware Code Title 4, Section 543 regarding liquor license distance requirements for off-premises consumption establishments.

Increases minimum distance between similar-type liquor establishments from 1,200 feet to 0.5 miles in incorporated cities and towns, and from 1 mile to 3 miles in unincorporated or rural areas, measured in driving distance.

Creates exemptions from distance requirements for clubs, Farm Wineries, Brewery-Pubs, Microbreweries, and Craft Distilleries seeking off-premises licenses.

Allows applicants between 1,800 feet and 0.5 miles (in cities/towns) or between 1.5 and 3 miles (in rural areas) from existing licenses to overcome distance restrictions by demonstrating either a 1% yearly population increase of persons 21+ over 3 years or a 3% population increase in the past year within specified radius boundaries.

Removes a previous discretionary exception that allowed licenses between 0.9 and 1 mile in rural areas, and clarifies that preference for displaced licensees applies only to requirements existing prior to June 1, 2013.