Steps on Getting Your California Liquor License

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Liquor License Consulting CA

Alcoholic Beverage Control CA | Liquor License Consulting CA | Images of top shelf liquor at a bar

Establishments planning to sell alcoholic beverages including beer, wine and distilled spirits are required by law to secure the appropriate California liquor license and seeking liquor license consulting CA may be helpful. Said license depends on the type of business that the establishment will be engaged in, thus, the types of licenses such as Type 20 for convenience stores and gas stations selling beer and wine, Type 21 for liquor stores, and Types 41, 47 and 48 for full-service restaurants, bars and taverns, and nightclubs, among others.

The State of California via its Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) controls the issuance, denial, suspension and revocation of California liquor licenses. Applications for all types of the liquor license should be filed with the agency in person.

Identify the Business Location

Keep in mind that the ABC will only accept applications for the appropriate permit – approval is not guaranteed, just to be clear about it – for a real brick-and-mortar location within which the license will be exercised.

But it should not just be any location either. The Alcoholic Beverage Control has the following requirements for the identified location to be considered as valid:

• It must be a commercial location (i.e., no residential units).

• It must either be your own property or you have an agreement with the landlord for the proposed business.

• It must have a property deed wherein your name is clearly stated as the owner or the lease agreement must have the name of the business applying for the license (i.e., restaurant) in case of a lease.

Obtain the Local Zoning Permit

The ABC also requires applicants to present the necessary local zoning permits, which are issued either by the city or county government and which are essential for securing the privilege to sell liquor in the premises. Keep in mind that these local zoning permits are different from the California liquor license – the former stays with the property regardless of the changes in ownership while the latter must be transferred to the new business owner, when necessary.

Find a Liquor License

You must buy a California liquor license for sale in case you want to sell or offer a complete line of alcoholic beverages including beer, wine and distilled spirits. This is a requirement that the ABC will not budge on, so to speak, so you are well-advised to start looking a private seller even before applying for the license.

Note: The State of California has ceased issuing new hard liquor licenses, thus, the necessity for locating a California liquor license for sale.

You should find a California liquor license broker like the Liquor License Leaders to aid in your search for the for-sale license as well as in negotiating for its price and filing the paperwork. You will also be required to open an escrow account for it.

File the Application

You can then file for the application when you have all the required documents on hand. You will be required to deliver on your part of the bargain including posting notifications on the property, mailing official notices to residents within 500 feet of the proposed business, and publishing a notice in a local newspaper.

Suffice it to say that getting approval of the application can be challenging. Hiring liquor license specialists will work to your benefit!