So, you have decided to open up a restaurant, bar, or other type of establishment that will serve liquor to patrons. Your next step is getting a liquor license so that you can actually serve liquor. Prior to entering into the liquor licensing process, here are a few things that you need to be aware of that aren't necessarily things that you would commonly think of.
Zoning Laws
The building that you will be running your business in will need to be zoned commercially. However, this generally is not all that you have to keep in mind. As a general rule, you will also have to remain a certain distance away from churches, schools, and other similar establishments. Make sure to check with your city/county zoning department to find out these laws and determine whether a zoning permit is necessary.
License Availability
Believe it or not, many jurisdictions have liquor license quotas. Currently, there are 17 states that have a liquor license quota. So, when that quota is met, they are unable to issue any additional liquor licenses, regardless of whether you have met all the necessary requirements. This quota is based on the population. In Florida, where a lottery occurs each year to "win" the available liquor license(s), counties receive one liquor license for every 7,500 individuals who reside in the county.
BYOB Businesses
If you are opening up a BYOB (Bring Your Own Beer) business, you may assume that you do not need to file for a liquor license. However, this is not true. Since you will not be storing liquor on-site, you will not need the same kind of liquor license as a regular liquor-storing establishment, but you will still be required to obtain a type of license due to the fact that you will be serving liquor and patrons will be consuming it on-site.
Application Timeframe
Some people tend to think that the liquor license application will be quick and painless. However, it is important that you plan well in advance of your establishment opening because the process is not a quick one. In fact, you should expect an approximate six month waiting period between the time that you apply and your opening day.
The overall process is complex, and there is a good chance that everything will not be smooth sailing the first go-around. However, to help speed things up, make sure that all of your business documents and licenses are in order and ready to be submitted with your application. Contact a company, like Arizona Liquor Industry Consultants, for more help.