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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I apply for a liquor license?
Contact the Liquor Control Board’s
customer service desk at (360) 664-1600. We will provide information on the licensing
process and send you a customized packet. For more detailed information on the licensing
process choose "How to Apply for a Liquor
License."
How long does it take to get a liquor
license?
Routine liquor license applications
normally take 45 to 60 days to process.
Will processing time be faster if I
hand-carry my application?
Hand-carrying your liquor license
application will save you mailing time. If you wish to visit our office in person, we are
located at 3000 Pacific Ave SE in Olympia. Directions to Washington State Liquor Control Board.
How much does a liquor license cost?
Liquor license fees vary greatly. Your
licensing packet will contain a list of all liquor licenses and their fees. The fee must
be paid at the time of application, and then renewed annually. Following are a few
examples:
Grocery store that sells beer and wine to
go = $150
Restaurant that sells beer and wine = $200
- $520
Restaurant that sells beer, wine, and
spirits = $1000 - $2,000
Tavern that sells beer and wine on their
premises and to go = $200 - $520
Brewery = $100 - $2,000 (based on
production)
Winery = $100 - $400 (based on production)
Beer or wine distributor = $500 - $660
For more detailed information on the
various licenses and fees, click
here.
Do I have to be a resident of Washington
to apply for a liquor license?
If you are applying as a sole proprietor or
a partnership, both you and your spouse (if applicable) need to be a resident of
Washington for 30 days before applying for a liquor license.
This residency requirement does not
apply if you are applying as a part of a corporation or a limited liability company that
is registered with the Washington Secretary of State. If you need more information on
forming a corporation or a limited liability company, contact the Secretary of State at
(360) 753-7115 and press "1", or click here
to link to their
Web site.
Why would a liquor license application
be denied?
Some reasons for denial might be:
- Failure to meet the basic requirements for
the license you are applying for; e.g., not meeting the food service requirements for a
restaurant that sells beer, wine, and spirits.
- Misrepresentation of fact.
- Failure to submit documents.
- Indicators of hidden ownership.
- Criminal history; i.e., conviction of a
felony, conviction of a gross or simple misdemeanor involving liquor or drugs, any series
of violations that show a disregard for the law.
- Objection from the local authority.
- Objection from a church, school, or other
public institution within 500 feet of your premises.
If I apply for a liquor license and then
withdraw or get denied, do I get my money back?
We will keep $75 of your liquor license fee
as a processing charge, and refund the rest.
I am buying an existing business. Can I
get their liquor license transferred to me?
Liquor licenses are not transferable, you
must apply for your own license. Under certain circumstances, you may apply for a
"temporary license" in addition to applying for your own liquor license. Upon
approval, this license allows you to operate on the current licensee’s privilege. Issuance
of a temporary liquor license does not guarantee approval of the annual license.
Temporary licenses normally take about
three weeks to process. To qualify for a temporary:
- You must be applying for the same class of
license held by the current licensee.
- The existing license must be current, with
no pending violations (if the current license expires within 60 days, a temporary license
can only be issued for the period remaining on the current license).
- Before getting a temporary license:
- All applicants must clear through a
criminal history check.
- All required documents for a liquor
license must be turned in and reviewed. (For more detailed information on the licensing
process, click here.)
- You must have a briefing on liquor
laws and regulations from your local Liquor
Control Agent.
Do I need approval for alterations or
additional activities on my licensed premises?
Some activities and
alterations require either notice to the Board or prior
approval. Please see WAC
314-02-125 and 314-02-130
for more information.
You must notify
your local enforcement
office in writing at least
forty-eight hours before conducting the following activities:
- Male/female dance
reviews, subject to the provisions of WAC 314-16-125;
- Live boxing or
wrestling;
- Contests or games
where patrons are part of the entertainment; and
- Hours of operation in
between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. for licensees that sell liquor for
on-premises consumption.
The following changes
to a licensed premises require prior board approval, by submitting a
form provided by the board's licensing and regulation
division:
- excluding persons
under twenty-one years of age from a spirits, beer, and wine
restaurant;
- excluding persons
under twenty-one years of age from the dining area of a beer and/or
wine restaurant;
- reclassifying a
lounge as open to persons under twenty-one years of age;
- extending the
location of alcohol service, such as a beer garden or patio/deck
service (areas must be enclosed with a barrier a minimum of
forty-two inches in height);
- storing liquor off of
the licensed premises;
- initiating room
service in a hotel or motel when the restaurant is not connected to
the hotel or motel;
- installing a
pass-through window for walk-up customers; and
- using a licensed
premises as an access to another business.
- any alteration that
affects the size of a premises' customer service area.
I am selling my business. Do I get a
refund of my unused liquor license?
There is no prorating of fees
for discontinued
liquor licenses.
I’m having a private party where I
will be serving liquor. Do I need a license?
You may need a banquet permit, which is for
a private, invitation only event (not open or advertised to the public). The liquor must
be provided free of charge, or brought by individuals attending the event. Package deals
are allowed that may include, for example, the cost of dinner, liquor, and entertainment.
To assure participants receive an equal share, tickets exchangeable for drinks may be
issued as part of the package price. No separate or additional charge may be made for
liquor. You can get a banquet permit for $10 at any local
liquor store or agency.
A banquet permit is not required when all
of the following apply:
The event is hosted by an individual, not
an organization or business entity.
There is no charge for admission for
anything provided at the function (e.g., mixer, setup, ice, food, hors d’oeuvres,
etc.). "Charge" includes admission charge, donation, dues, fees, or otherwise.
The function would normally be held in the
individual’s private home, but for space considerations, is held in a facility that
is: 1) closed off to the general public during the function, and 2) does not have a liquor
license.
What kind of license is needed for a
nonprofit organization holding a fundraiser?
A special occasion license allows a
nonprofit organization to sell liquor at a specified date and place. All proceeds from the
sale of liquor must go directly back into the nonprofit. "Selling" includes
soliciting donations and most package deals.
The special occasion license fee is $60 per
day, per location and is limited to 12 single day events a year. The organization should
apply 45 days before the fundraising event. You can pick up a special occasion license
application at any local liquor store or agency, or contact the Customer Service desk at
(360) 664-1600. |
