How to Get a Liquor License in Florida
First, to acquire a liquor license in Florida, an applicant must submit a completed application form with all the required documentation to the division district office covering the county where your license will be located. The application requires several specific items including, but not limited to, zoning approval, sketch of premises, fingerprints, fees, and service agreements.
Next, is the license application process where the Department of Business & Professional Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (“AB&T”) will review the application and attached documentation to determine the qualifications of the applicant and the individual in charge (i.e.) the manager. In addition to the review, AB&T will perform an onsite inspection of the premises that wishes to be licensed.
Lastly, upon completion of the AB&T investigation, the agency will either approve or disapprove the applicant’s application. If approved, the applicant will be billed for the license fee and is required to pay the annual license fee to access his or her newly approved license. If disapproved, the applicant will be notified and be given the opportunity to hear the reasons why his or her application was denied.
For more information, click here to review the Department of Business & Professional Regulation/ AB&T’s chart on How Do I Get an Alcoholic Beverage License?
Should I Hire an Attorney to get a liquor license?
Navigating through the complex legal framework surrounding Florida’s liquor licenses can be challenging for those who wish to start or expand their business. When time and money are so valuable to business owners, making any errors on your application can lead to an increase in wait-time to acquire your license, or worse, denial of your application.
Whether you wish to expand your current business or start a new one, PS Law Group is here for you to assist in each step of the licensing process, including drafting your application and consulting you on the best strategies for your business structure. We also provide guidance on how to ensure your business is compliant not only with state regulations, but also taxing provisions set forth by the state. If needed, the PS Law Group will act as your counsel to resolve any agency actions brought forth by a government agency.
How much is a liquor license in Florida?
Business owners need to know what to expect when it comes to the costs of liquor license fees and annual payments in Florida. Not only do liquor licenses depend on the type of license you are in need of, but also depending on the population size of your county. Financial costs of liquor licenses for a FULL year—depending on population size—are described below:
Permits to Sell Alcoholic Beverages:
- Beer Package Sales (1APS): between $20 to $100, plus 40% of the fee
- Beer Consumption on Premise (1COP): between $40 to $200, plus 40% of the fee
- Beer and Wine Package Sales (2APS): between $60 to $140, plus 40% of the fee
- Beer and Wine Consumption on Premise (2COP): between $120 to $280, plus 40% of the fee
- Beer, Wine, and Liquor Package Sales (3PS; 3APS; 3BPS; 3CPS; 3DPS): between $468 to $1,365
- Beer, Wine, and Liquor Consumption on Premise (4COP; 5COP; 6COP; 7COP; 8COP): between $624 to $1,820
Alcohol Manufacturers Licenses:
Depending on the type of alcohol you are manufacturing, the permit fee range is between $1,000 to $4,000.
Alcohol Distributor Licenses:
Depending on your role as a distributor, importer, or exporter, the permit fee range is between $500 to $4,000.
To review costs for half-year licenses or additional costs required for special licenses, visit the Department of Business & Professional Regulations Annual License Fee chart linked here.
Can you Lease a Liquor License in Florida?
The simple answer is No. There are no laws or regulations in Florida that permit the leasing of a liquor license.
How often do I need to renew my liquor license in Florida?
Under Florida law, a liquor licensee that wishes to renew his or her license shall renew annually in accordance with the schedule established by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. See Fla. Stat. § 561.27 (2021). If the licensee fails to renew within sixty (60) days of expiration, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco will cancel his or her license. See Fla. Stat. § 561.27(2).
Are there different types of liquor licenses in Florida?
Depending on the nature of your business, you may be required to have and maintain several licenses to comply with state regulations. In Florida, the state regulations governing alcoholic beverages identify 41 different types of licenses. A few of the common licenses are described below:
Retail Beverage License:
This type of license allows the business to sell alcoholic beverages on a retail basis. There are several categories to choose from that are dependent on the type of business you wish to operate and what alcohol you intend to sell.
To obtain the proper form and documentation for your business, click Retail Beverage Forms.
Manufacturer License:
This type of license is applicable to companies that produce alcoholic beverages and ships to wholesale vendors or distributors. The form needed to apply for this license is dependent on the type of alcohol you intend to produce.
To obtain the proper form and documentation for your business, click Manufacturer License Forms.
Distributor License:
This type of license is applicable to companies that import and distribute alcoholic beverages to retail vendors. The form needed to apply for this license is dependent on the type of alcohol you intend to import and distribute.
To obtain the proper form and documentation, click Distributor License Forms.
If the above licenses do not apply to you, please click the Department of Business & Professional Regulation’s Application Center to view the additional licensing forms.
What is a Quota Alcoholic Beverage License?
A Quota license allows a business owner to sell beer, wine, and liquor without requiring the owner to acquire additional licenses. Unfortunately, a Quota license is more difficult to obtain as the State of Florida only permits one new quota license to be issued to a county when there is an increase in population by 7,500 residents. Due to the limited Quota licenses available, an applicant can only apply when his or her county’s entry period opens and submit by the filing deadline assigned by the county.
What if I want to acquire a liquor license in a “dry” county?
A “dry” county is a county that does not allow the sale of alcohol within its geographic borders, including all the cities that reside within it.
In the State of Florida, Lafayette, Liberty, and Washington counties are the only “dry” counties in the state.
Who can suspend my liquor license in Florida?
Florida law grants the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco of the Department of Business & Professional Regulation full power to revoke or suspend a person or entity’s liquor license. See Fla. Stat. § 561.29(1) (2021). There are several circumstances that could lead a licensee into losing his or her liquor license through statutory violations including, but not limited to, maintaining unsanitary premises, violating state laws by the license holder or his or her agents, or failure to maintain records of monthly sales. See Fla. Stat. § 561.29(1)(a)–(k).
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco has the authority to inspect a licensee’s business, including its books, records, and accounts, to ensure its compliance with state and agency regulations. See Fla. Stat. § 561.29(2). If the Division discovers a violation, the licensee can face a fine or suspension if he or she fails to pay. See Fla. Stat. § 561.29(3)–(5).
Can a liquor license be transferred?
Generally, a liquor license cannot be transferred under Florida law. See Fla. Stat. § 561.32 (2021). However, there are a few exceptions provided under Florida’s statutory laws that permit the transfer of a liquor license. See Fla. Stat. § 561.32(1)(a)–(b). For example, when a liquor licensee makes a bona fide sale of her business, she may obtain a transfer of her liquor license to the purchaser as long as the purchaser’s application is approved by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. See Fla. Stat. § 561.32(1)(a).
For costs associated with transferring a liquor license, click Fla. Stat. § 561.32(3)(a)–(b) to learn more.
Contact a Florida Liquor License Attorney today
Acquiring a liquor license can be a challenging obstacle in the way of operating your business. Any errors that are made, such as submitting the wrong application form, can make this process even longer. That is why PS Law Group is here to be with you in every step of the application process, as well as for your business endeavors afterwards. If you are ready to start or expand your business, contact PS Law Group at ______ today!
