Florida alcohol license types

In Florida, there are about thirty types of licenses and permits related to the sale of liquor. The state allows wine and beer to be sold in retail stores, supermarkets and convenience gas stations, and there is no limit on the number of licenses issued. The type of license issued varies depending on what type of alcohol is sold and whether alcohol will be consumed off-site or on-premise. The 4COP license is one type of license, which lounges, bars and restaurants can apply for if they wish to sell spirits in addition to wine and beer. This 4COP/3PS license is also required for the sale of liquor for off-site consumption. Population numbers govern the number of liquor licenses available for issue. It is necessary to obtain a liquor license before opening a business and this can be difficult, expensive and time consuming. Florida holds an annual ballot for awarding licenses referred to as the Liquor License Lottery. In Florida, there are three types of entities which can apply for the 11PA liquor license. Live Performance Theaters and symphony orchestras providing live performances may apply for the 11PA license. This license allows state registered non-profit organizations to serve alcohol, and liquor to be consumed only on-premises only. Performance art centers can also obtain the 11PA type license for receptions and banquets. Florida permits specific common carriers to obtain a liquor license. Cruise ships with minimum capacity of 75 persons are eligible for a common carrier liquor license. Airplane, bus and steamship companies can also apply for common carrier licenses and can sell liquor for consumption only on board a ship, or in airport lounges, and only to individuals who hold a ticket on an airplane which is scheduled to depart in 25 hours or less. Florida golf clubs can obtain one of three different liquor licenses. A golf club which owns a minimum of 35 acres and is comprised of a locker room, club house and minimum of 9 holes can acquire the 11CG liquor license that allows the club to sell liquor to club members and non resident guests only. The 11CX type license is needed if the; golf course intends to provide liquor at portable stands on club property. Once per year, a golf club is allowed a temporary permit to sell alcohol to those who are not club members. This permit is called a NMSP (Non member sales permit) and is valid for 8 consecutive days.

Alachua County Liquor License – Liquor License

Alachua County Liquor License – Liquor License 866-470-8881 Toll Free www.LiquorLicenseFL.com Obtaining a Florida alcohol license can be a difficult process or at least time consuming and frustrating, as it involves a lot of paper work and different licenses to apply for, depending on the exact provisions of each establishment. Gainesville is the largest city in the county and it is known for its diverse culture, local music, and artisans. A majority of the economy revolves around the university, which is why opening a pub or a restaurant in the city is a great idea for an entrepreneur. As far as acquiring a beverage license goes, the process can be greatly facilitated and fastened by companies that specialize in alcohol licenses for the state, such as Liquor License FL, so that you can obtain or buy the license more easily and hassle free. Due to the fact that there are several different types of licenses and permits to apply for depending on the type of establishment you want to run, having expert help in the field of Florida alcohol license becomes essential.

Companies like Liquor License FL have not only the experience to deal with all the paperwork and applications quicker and easier, but also the resources to help you find the right liquor license in Gainesville for you. The professional consulting services offered by the company will help you find and buy an alcohol license for your establishment, whether you want to open a bar, a pub, a restaurant or even a store. This is highly beneficial, because the number of liquor licenses available in the State of Florida and subsequently in Alachua County is limited and it is based on the number of people living in the specific county. The number of available licenses seldom increases, so buying an existing Florida alcohol license in the most logical thing you can do to acquire beverage license. To that effect, Liquor License FL operates as a brokerage firm and helps you locate the exact type of permit you need, which also facilitates the process significantly, because buying an existing license is a lot more unpretentious than applying for a new one. Whatever the case, you can be sure that the beverage license brokerage experts will be able to support and assist you every step of the way, explaining step by step what needs to be done. If you want to obtain a license in Gainesville, you need a Beverage Transfer Application and the Asset Purchase Agreement and Liquor License FL can help you with both. As mentioned above, there are several types of licenses available in Alachua County, from 1APS, which allows for beer package sales only, and 2 APS, which allows for both wine and beer package sales only, to 4COP, which allows for beer, wine and spirits package and consumption and many other combinations. Each license comes with a different annual fee, the 1APS for example costing $140, while the 4COP costs $1,820 to renew annually in this particular county. Temporary fees for new licenses are different, the temporary 3PS/4COP costing approximately $100 and the new 4COP-SRX being $455. If you need a special license for food and beverage in Alachua County, also known as the SRX, Liquor License FL can help you obtain one as well, making sure you comply with the requirements of the 70-574 Special Act and handling all the paperwork and filing for you. Whatever your license needs may be and whatever type of establishment you are looking to open and run, getting the right Florida alcohol license is the most important step, which is why the Liquor License FL experts are your number one allies. 866-470-8881 Toll Free www.LiquorLicenseFL.com

Florida beverage license regulations

The sale of wine, beer and other liquor is very strictly regulated by each state. As in other states, Florida has established a system by which the service and sale of alcohol are licensed. Florida state law also limits how many liquor licenses are granted and imposes punishments for violators. Under Florida law, licenses in every county will never exceed more than one license per 7,500 residents. However motels and hotels with less than eighty guest rooms can get special licenses if the county’s population is less 50,000. When the population exceeds 50,000 then they can receive a special license if they have one hundred or more guest rooms. Florida liquor licensing system encompasses three tiers of licensure - vendors, manufacturers and distributors. An entity is allowed to acquire a license for only one tier. Statute, section 561.14 states that manufacturers can be licensed only to make alcohol within the state. Distributors are permitted to buy alcoholic products and sell them only to vendors. Those vendors can then sell the liquor to consumers. Florida has a legal drinking age of 21 years. If a person sells, allows or offers alcohol to a person under the age of 21, that person is guilty of a second degree misdemeanor which is punishable by up to sixty days incarceration. Any person, who permits alcohol to be sold to a minor a second or subsequent time within one year, is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by one year in prison. A liquor license must be renewed every year and the cost of licenses can vary depending on the location of the license and the type of license issued. Operating any business, which retails alcoholic beverages, requires the acquisition of a liquor license. A retail license is administered by the State Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, which employs a complex schedule of fees. The license fee will vary depending on the municipality or county in which the license is issued. The cost of a liquor license may also include costs incurred in finding a business with an available license, brokerage costs and transfer fees. To find out more about specific county license fees, please visit our site at: http://liquorlicensefl.com/Liquor-License-List.html Retail liquor licenses are generally classified by the liquor type which being sold as well as by the establishment in which it is sold. Liquor licenses must be purchased separately when purchasing a business without a license and the purchaser has to apply for the transfer of licenses and offer proof of eligibility before the licensing authority will issue a license. Current regulations are designed to protect the public from dangerous products and control the retail sale of alcohol.

Volusia County Liquor License – Daytona Beverage License

Volusia County Liquor License – Daytona Beverage License

866-470-8881 Toll Free
www.LiqourLicenseFL.com

When it comes to proper locations for opening a liquor selling business, Florida is perhaps among the very top choices, because the Sunshine State is renowned for its high levels of tourism and the thirst for entertainment and fun. Even within the state, there are many cities and places that are definitely worth considering as far as opening a restaurant or a pub is concerned and Daytona Beach is certainly at the top of that list. Located in Volusia County, the city is remarkable through the fact that it has a little something to offer to everybody, from race fans to adventurous groups of friends, but also families looking for a relaxing break away. With such a large diversity of consumers, it is only logical to consider Daytona Beach as a front-runner for opening a liquor-selling establishment of any kind. As anywhere else in the US, when you have such an endeavor in mind, you need to apply and obtain a Florida alcohol license before your establishment can become operational, a process that can be extremely overwhelming and time consuming, unless you have the help and support of a professional brokerage firm like Liquor License FL.


Because of the limitation regarding the liquor license availability in Florida, applying for a new license may not be the best way to go about it. However, the state allows for the transfer of licenses, so if you want to open your own bar or restaurant in Daytona Beach, then it might be easier and quicker to buy an existing liquor license and transfer it over, which is where the services of a brokerage firm come in. Liquor License FL provides a very wide portfolio of licenses for sale, operating as a broker for businesses interested in both selling and buying their permits, so you will be able to more easily and quickly find the Florida alcohol license you need, whether it’s for package sales, consumption only or both. Not only that, but the company will also help and support you every step of the application process, from filing the first form to selling that first drink. Whether you need retail licenses and fee information, help with the application forms, finding a license for sale or getting in contact with the right department, Liquor License FL is your liaison every step of the way.

Owning and running a restaurant or a bar is not only a great idea for a business, but can also be fun and exciting, especially in a place like Daytona Beach, where such establishments are so popular and so full of life around the year. To that extent, you shouldn’t let the intricate ins and outs of obtaining a liquor license in FL set you back, especially since you can easily and efficiently deal with this matter by hiring a specialized brokerage firm to take care of everything for you. Whether you need to buy, sell, transfer or refinance your Volusia County alcohol license, the experts and experienced brokers at Liquor License FL are there to help you get started, apply and obtain the permit you need.

866-470-8881 Toll Free
www.LiqourLicenseFL.com

Florida liquor license laws in relation to schools

     Like other states, Florida has very strict laws and regulations which prohibit underage intake of alcohol or any liquor. It also prohibits the sale of alcohol in schools as well as the sale of liquor to anyone less than 21 years of age. A vendor has to get a special permit from the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, in order to sell liquor. This condition assures that licensees are familiar with the laws and rules and helps ensure that minors are able to purchase alcohol. Many municipalities and counties also restrict the sale of alcohol near school property. 

A liquor license is a permit, which allows the vendor to sell liquor in Florida. The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco issues all permits. All providers or vendors of alcoholic beverages for any public location must acquire a permit to sell beer, wine or other liquor. In Florida, public schools are not eligible to apply for a liquor permit, even for private events. This clearly implies that public schools have no right or permission to serve alcohol on the school premises. However, vendors on a college campus can acquire a liquor license if that college permits the consumption of alcohol on campus and if the vendor can prove that he/she takes necessary precautions to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors. In the state of Florida, selling liquor near a public school is a risky business because vendors have to take care to ensure that they do not supply liquor to minors. It is unlawful to supply or sell liquor to a person under 21, even if that person is in the presence of a legal guardian or parent. The penalty for providing liquor to minors is $1000 for a first offence as well as possible suspension of the permit for up to seven days. The fine is increased to $3000 and permit suspension for thirty days for the second offense and if there is a third offence, the state of Florida may revoke the vendor’s liquor license altogether.

It is essential to maintain some sort of physical separation between schools and areas where liquor is sold. Zoning restrictions and local planning regulations provide local communities with controls over school areas adjacent to liquor outlets. Although there is no overall Florida state law that prohibits the sale of alcohol near schools, most municipalities and counties in Florida have formed their own individual legislations to prevent this. Check with the local zoning municipalities to find out about more about their restrictions at https://www.municode.com/library/fl

Sarasota County Liquor License – Sarasota Beverage License

Sarasota County Liquor License – Sarasota Beverage License

866-470-8881 Toll Free
www.LiqourLicenseFL.com

With its eclectic blend of culture and fine dining, pristine beaches and circus thrills, Sarasota is one of the loveliest cities on the Gulf Coast. Although there are many places to stay and eat in the city, the constantly increasing number of tourists and visitors make Sarasota the perfect location to open a restaurant or a bar. Part of the Fort Myers District – Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, this county and its seat are bound to specific requirements and provisions when it comes to liquor licenses, information that you need to get familiarized with before even thinking about opening such an establishment. Fortunately, there are now specialized companies that handle all of the Florida alcohol license approval process for you, a good example in that direction being the brokerage firm called Liquor License FL, which has many years of experience in the field and offers not only consulting services, but also operates as a license broker.


Due to the fact that the number of alcohol licenses in Florida is limited, it is easier and more effective to buy an existing liquor license in FL than apply for a new one, so having the help and support of a brokerage firm in the field is essential. This way, you will gain access to an impressive portfolio of existing licenses for sale, from all across the state, as well as the assistance you need to find the right license for your business needs and transfer it over in Sarasota County. As you may already know, different types of licenses come with different provisions, as well as with different fees, but this is yet another advantage of working with a professional and experienced company like Liquor License FL – everything is explained throughout all steps of the process and you benefit from constant assistance along the way, up until you sell your first cocktail or bottle of wine. Sarasota County allows a for a range of retail licenses, from the basic 1APS, which allows for beer package sales only, to 3PS, which allows for the package sales of beer, wine and spirits, as well as 11C, which enables an establishment to sell beer, wine and spirits for consumption only. The annual fees differ from one license to another, but Liquor License Florida will guide through all of these, step by step.

The bottom line is that Sarasota is one of the best and most popular destinations for people in need of a sunny retreat, not to mention the fact that both travelers and locals are highly attracted to the bustling life of the city, always looking for new and fresh places to dine or have something to drink, which makes Sarasota a great spot for the alcohol business. If you are drawn to the idea of owning and running a bar, a pub or a restaurant in the city, don’t let yourself get discouraged by bureaucracy and the complexity of the Florida alcohol license approval process, as there are now specialized firms that deal with everything on your behalf, such as Liquor License FL.

866-470-8881
www.LiquorLicenseFL.com

Lawsuit Challenges Legality of Florida Brewery Tasting Rooms

 

By David Minsky Tue., Jan. 13 2015 at 6:00 AM

Retail tasting rooms in Florida breweries are coming under fire again. This time, it's the Florida Independent Spirits Association filing a petition with the state challenging the tourism exemption of the state's three-tier laws for alcohol distribution. The exemption allows retail tasting rooms in breweries, which are at risk in the petition filed on January 8 in the Division of Administrative Hearings.                  
See also: South Florida's Most Anticipated Brewery Openings of 2015
Specifically, the Tallahassee-based group is taking issue with two things. One, according to FISA lobbyist Scott Dick, is that some vendors who apply for brewing permits are denied while some vendors are granted permits.

"There's no consistency with the division," Dick says of the Division of Alcohol, Beverages and Tobacco, against which the petition was filed.
The second, and perhaps the most controversial, issue is what Dick says is the lack of definition of what constitutes tourism at a brewery.
"On the manufacturing side, it says land has to be contiguous and have other structures promoting tourism, and it gives no definition what other structures are," Dick says. "I think there's inconsistencies with manufacturers as well."
Dick lobbies on behalf of the FISA, which is composed of independent retail liquor stores. Because of these inconsistencies, FISA members "suffer economic injury," according to the petition.
Although the three-tier laws in Florida require that a manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of alcohol each must be independently owned, the filing mentions an exception to the law enacted in 1984 that allowed Anheuser-Busch to sell beer from the microbrewery at its theme park, Busch Gardens.
The same exception is what breweries in Florida are using to have tasting rooms where beer can be sold at retail where it's made. Having a tasting room also allows consumers to take home packaged containers, or jugs, of beer known as growlers.
See Also: Growler Stations Come to Florida ABC Stores
It's not clear what impact the petition will have on the future of tasting rooms in breweries. Dick says he does not want to affect existing businesses but is hoping to force the ABT to make rules that clarify the tourism exemption.
Mike Halker, owner of Due South Brewing in Boynton Beach and president of the Florida Brewers Guild (a craft brewers advocacy group), is aware of the new petition.
"We certainly do not take someone attempting to take away our tasting rooms lightly, and I assure you we will do everything we can to address this situation and keep all of you informed as much as possible," Halker wrote in a legislative alert email sent to FBG members.
Emails and phone messages seeking comment from Halker were not immediately returned. But we'll have an update as soon as we hear from him.
Update: Mike Halker reached out to Clean Plate Charlie by phone from the West Coast. Halker said that he is surprised by what he calls an attack by wholesalers and the retailers on Florida breweries. At this point he and the Florida Brewer's Guild are gathering resources and are currently discussing what to do next. They contacted the Brewers Association for assistance. He said he should know more information in three weeks.
It's not the first time tasting rooms have come under attack. But if this challenge is successful, then it could spell doom for the craft beer industry in Florida, according to Halker.
"There's a possibility that at the end of this that the Florida breweries will lose their tasting rooms," Halker said, "and if they lose their tasting rooms, then the breweries will leave the state of Florida."
Interestingly ABC Fine Wine Liquor and Spirits recently began installing growler stations in some locations in Central Florida. But this falls outside of the tourism exemption of the three-tier system. Andy Abernathy, chief operating officer of ABC, is also a FISA board member.
As of Monday two more groups, the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association and the Beer Industry of Florida, have joined FISA in seeking clarifying rules for the exemption.

image by:  George Mercado