New York State Liquor Authority Retail License and Permits
GENERAL RETAIL LICENSING
1. What are the minimum requirements for eligibility to hold a license?
a. Applicants must be US citizens or have permanent resident alien status. In some cases, citizens of countries with reciprocal trade agreements may apply.
b. Applicants must be 21 or older.
c. Applicants must not be convicted felons (unless they have a Certificate of Relief from Civil Disabilities).
d. Applicants cannot be a police officer with arresting powers.
2. How can I get an application for an ABC license or permit, and where do I file my application
when completed?
a. Some applications can be downloaded from the NYS Liquor Authority Website at (NYS Liquor Authority Retail Forms) and (NYS Liquor Authority Wholesale Forms) you may contact one of their four Zone Offices Licensing Information Contact to receive an application by mail. Applications must be filed with the Zone Office that supports the county where the premises will conduct business (Zone Offices by County).
3. Do I need to consult a professional to help me complete the application ?
a. The retail application has been simplified and is accompanied by detailed instructions to assist the applicant. However, applicants are always free to obtain professional consultation.
4. What are the permitted hours of operation for any given licensee?
a. The hours of operation are regulated by county where the business is located, except for New York City which is regulated by statewide law (County Closing Hours Provisions and Chart).
5. What are the Notification to the Clerk/Community Board and Notification of Publication?
a. On-premises license applicants must notify the appropriate government entity (village, town or city clerk or the appropriate community board if in NYC) as well as the designated newspaper of a pending license application at a particular location. See pages 8 and 9 of the
Retail License Application (Retail Application).
6. When filing my application, am I required to submit the entire fee?
a. Yes. Installment options are no longer available as of August 1, 2002.
7. Can I qualify for a temporary permit while I wait for my permanent license application to be processed?
a. To qualify for a temporary permit, the following conditions must be satisfied:
i. There must be an active license in existence at the premises for which you are applying.
ii. The permit and $640.00 fee must be filed simultaneously with the Retail License Application.
iii. The temporary permit will expire 90 days from the date of issuance.
8. Are there any restrictions on the location of my premises?
a. Applicants for a liquor store license, wine store license and on-premises license cannot be within 200 feet of a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship.
9. In what instances will criminal convictions or administrative actions by the SLA disqualify my application?
a. Individuals not eligible for a license include:
i. a person convicted of a felony in NYS, including felony DWI.
ii. a person convicted of a crime in another state or federal jurisdiction which would translate to a felony conviction if committed in NYS.
iii. a person convicted of misdemeanors under sections 230.20 or 230.40 of the NYS Penal Law or 1146 of the former NYS Penal Law.
iv. a revoked license will disqualify the licensee for a period of two years; if the revoked licensee was a corporation any officer or director may also be disqualified.
Note: If an executive pardon or a certificate of relief from disabilities is obtained, the convictions are no longer disqualifying in and of themselves, although all convictions may be considered as part of the total merit of the application.
PERMITS
1. If I currently hold a license, can I qualify for a permit to serve alcoholic beverages at an event located off my licensed premises?
a. You may apply for a Catering Permit. This permit authorizes an on-premises licensee (other
license categories do not apply) to furnish alcoholic beverages allowed by their license at
events located off the licensed premises. The fee for the permits is $48 per bar/day.
Note: The Catering Permit is also available to a Club licensee with some additional restrictions.
2. If I do not have a license, can I get a permit to serve alcoholic beverages at a function or event?
a. You have two options for getting a permit:
i. Option 1: You can apply for a Temporary Beer & Wine Permit (aka: TPA); however,
you cannot serve liquor under the restrictions of this permit. The fee for a TPA is $36
per bar/day.
ii. Option 2: You can hire a licensed caterer to provide the food and alcohol at the
event.
3. When I receive a Temporary Beer & Wine Permit, where am I allowed to purchase the beer and wine?
a. Beer and wine must be purchased from a licensed brewer, winery, or wholesaler. Purchasing
the beer from a grocery store and the wine from a liquor store is prohibited.
4. If I am a club licensee, when can I serve alcoholic beverages to a person other than members and their accompanying guests?
a. This is allowed when the Club applies for a Caterer's Permit authorizing them to hold a particular function, occasion or event. A caterer's permit is not required when the function is hosted by and funds are provided by a club member.
5. Is a permit required to transport alcoholic beverages through New York State?
a. For pick-ups and deliveries of alcoholic beverages within NYS, an individual trucking permit is required for each truck in use, or if 100 or more trucks are involved, a Fleet blanket permit is available.
6. Can I have a Wine Auction?
a. Yes, provided you are a bona-fide charitable, religious, educational, or civic group, auctioning donated alcohol for fund raising purposes. You must apply for a Charitable Permit to auction no more than 80 cases of wine, in sealed containers.