18B-901. Issuance of permits.

(a) Who Issues. - All ABC permits shall be issued by the Commission. Purchase-transportation permits shall be issued by local boards under G.S. 18B-403.

(b) Notice to Local Government. - Before issuing a retail ABC permit, other than a:

(1) Special occasion permit under G.S. 18B-1001(8);

(2) Limited special occasion permit under G.S. 18B-1001(9);

(3) Temporary permit under G.S. 18B-905; or

(4) Special one-time permit under G.S. 18B-1002

(c) Factors in Issuing Permit. - Before issuing a permit, the Commission shall be satisfied that the applicant is a suitable person to hold an ABC permit and that the location is a suitable place to hold the permit for which the applicant has applied. To be a suitable place, the local governing body shall return a Zoning and Compliance Form to the Commission on a form provided by the Commission to show the establishment is in compliance with all applicable building and fire codes and, if applicable, has been notified that it is located in an Urban Redevelopment Area as defined by Article 22 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes and as required by G.S. 18B-904(e)(2). Other factors the Commission shall consider in determining whether the applicant and the business location are suitable are all of the following:

(1) The reputation, character, and criminal record of the applicant.

(2) The number of places already holding ABC permits within the neighborhood.

(3) Parking facilities and traffic conditions in the neighborhood.

(4) Kinds of businesses already in the neighborhood.

(5) Whether the establishment is located within 50 feet of a church, public school, or any nonpublic school as defined by Part 1 or Part 2 of Article 39 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes.

(6) Zoning laws.

(7) The recommendations of the local governing body.

(8) Any other evidence that would tend to show whether the applicant would comply with the ABC laws.

(9) Whether the operation of the applicant's business at that location would be detrimental to the neighborhood, including evidence admissible under G.S. 150B-29(a) of any of the following:

a. Past revocations, suspensions, and violations of ABC laws by prior permittees related to or associated with the applicant, or a business with which the applicant is associated, within the immediate preceding 12-month period at this location.

b. Evidence of illegal drug activity on or about the licensed premises.

c. Evidence of fighting, disorderly conduct, and other dangerous activities on or about the licensed premises.

(d) Commission's Authority. - The Commission shall have the sole power, in its discretion, to determine the suitability and qualifications of an applicant for a permit. The Commission shall also have the authority to determine the suitability of the location to which the permit may be issued.