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How to Get a Liquor License: The California State Guide

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If you are in the process of planning a business venture in California that might involve the selling or complimentary serving of alcohol, then something that you absolutely need to have in place before opening any doors to the public is a legally acquired liquor license.

Anything from a restaurant to a bar to a nightclub to a nail bar to a beauty salon to a hair salon to a dress fitter needs a liquor license in California, and if you want to avoid running into trouble with the law at a later point, you need to make sure that this license is in place from the very start of your venture.

Here is a guide for how to get a liquor license specifically relating to business in California state.

  • The first thing that is vital to note is that from start to finish, the process of acquiring a new liquor license usually takes an average of about 90 days. It is not the kind of thing that you can do overnight, so make sure that you start the application process with lots of time to go to your intended opening date for your new business.

Seller’s Permit

For liquor licenses held in the state of California, you are required to have a seller’s permit for sales tax purposes. What this means is that you actually need to apply for this seller’s permit before you start the liquor license application process.

It is important to do things in this specific order, because selling alcohol without a seller’s permit is categorized as a misdemeanor in California, with the possible punishments of fines or even incarceration.

Stamp Tax And Federal Permits

The selling of alcohol is one of the most carefully regulated things in the United States, and you will most likely need a federal permit or stamp tax. This can be fairly easily achieved by filing your business with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, and they need to approve your application before you can actually start selling liquor at your business.

Follow Local Regulations

As well as all of the federal requirements, you will also need to make sure that you abide by the various county or city-specific rules that are included in a California liquor license. There are certain differences and considerations for things like small business insurance or retail insurance, and these will vary from city to city within the state.

To make sure you are above board on everything, it is always the best idea to double-check with your chosen city.

Different License Types

Make sure that you apply for the right kind of license that fits the profile of your business and liquor selling ambitions. The most common types are as follows:

  • Type 41 – this is a beer and wine license for restaurants, known as the ‘On-Sale Beer and Wine – Eating Place’ license.
  • Type 47 – this is for beer, wine and distilled spirits for restaurants, known as the ‘On-Sale General – Eating Place’ license.
  • Type 48 – this is for beer, wine, and distilled spirits for bar and nightclubs, known as the ‘On-Sale General – Public Premises’ license. This license does not require you to operate food service alongside your alcohol sales.

So, if you think that you can follow these guidelines in order to keep everything legal and above board, then you shouldn’t have too many problems being granted your desired license. Visit this site for more info on the subject of everything liquor license related in that state of California. We wish you luck in all of your future business ventures!

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