Liquor License Outlet – Ultimate Guide To Obtaining A License
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO OBTAINING A FLORIDA LIQUOR LICENSE
Obtaining A Florida Liquor License is a privilege that’s not available for every business owner. Strict rules and regulations are in place for those trying to obtain one. Having a Florida liquor license is an incredible investment opportunity. For those wanting to sell alcohol, this is very important to have. Each state will have its laws as well as governing agency on licensing. There will also be a lot of small print rules that will need to be followed in towns with a lower population. Florida is pretty straightforward with all that they have to offer. Writing out a clear outline of your business and what your plans are will help a lot. Florida Liquor Outlet has all of the tools you will need to succeed at your goals.
A Florida liquor license will grant you the ability to sell alcohol both for on and off premises. You will have different options to choose from, and the prices of each will vary. If you want to decide on the right license type, you will need to know what you want to achieve with your business. Your business plan should be well thought and easy for you to explain to your liquor license broker
Here is a quick break down of what you will need to do:
- Determine the type of liquor license you will need for your business.
- Determine if you need to purchase a liquor license or get one from your State government.
- Acquire your liquor license.
- Apply through the Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco.
- Find a supplier that will provide low wholesale prices.
- Set your business up and watch the profits start to roll in!
THREE IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:
A separate license will be required for packaged sales this is also true if you allow alcohol consumption at your premise.
Your license may not be moved to another county since it is based on location population.
The cost of a liquor license varies. The application fee and taxes involved may be only a few hundred dollars to start. And keep in mind the costs that will come with ordering your alcohol wholesale.
Things to have available before applying for a liquor license:
- Employer Identification Number – Available on the IRS website
- A Zoning permit – Found at your local zoning commission
- Business License – This can be applied for online or at your local small business commission
- Sales Tax Permit – Your State government website will have all forms and information
- Alcohol Tax Permit – Found at your state’s taxation department
- Building permit – If you check with your local zoning commission you will find all of the forms you will need
- Signage permit – Your local zoning commission will also have this available for you
- Health permit – Check with your State Health Commission
- Lease with your landlord (if you rent a property) – With a copy of all available licenses
- An excellent connection for wholesale alcohol – This will allow you to increase your profits a lot
Finding out if your property is located in a proper zone to serve alcohol is important. Approval to sell will be granted if your property meets requirements established by your county. The provisions are made to keep your surrounding areas safe. Alcohol may lead to an uncontrollable situation in a zone that isn’t well suited for that. Choosing to find out if your business is in the right area for a liquor license is crucial. Below you will find a list of which locations aren’t acceptable.
Locations where you will not be able to sell alcohol:
- Schools
- Parks
- Day cares
- Government owned property
- Property within 1,000 ft of establishments of local government
In other words, your building must be zoned commercially.
2. HOW LONG BEFORE OPENING MY BUSINESS DO I NEED TO APPLY?
Obtaining your liquor license before opening for business is a smart idea. You will be able to find out if you are in the right zone beforehand as well as be able to prepare your property. There’s also a wait time throughout the application process. If you factor in at least 5-6 months between sending in your request and your by the time you have your grand opening you should be ok. The sooner that you look into the availability of a license is the better prepared to apply for one.
3. DO YOU KNOW YOUR STATE LAWS FOR SERVING ALCOHOL?
There are laws in place that’ll either prevent or allow you to serve alcohol it will depend on your location. Liquor licenses are highly regulated, and each county has a different quota. Many of which are already maxed out. A quota permit will authorize the sale of beer, wine, and liquor in your state. Acting quickly is important since they are limited in the number issued per location. What’s the good news? Every time the population increases 7,500 a new license is made through the permit lottery. Quota licenses are usually done through liquor license brokers.
4. DECIDING IF AN OFF-LICENSE OR AN ON-LICENSE IS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Off license and on-license are the two types of liquor licenses required to have if selling alcohol. Off-license is a shop license to sell alcohol for consumption outside of the premises. This is a different license than a bar or club would use since their alcohol is consumed at the point of sale. This is a straightforward decision to make if you know the concept for your business already. It’s very rare that a location will be able to have both licenses available. If you own a restaurant, you will more than likely have an on-license.
5. IF I’M LEASING A PROPERTY WILL MY LANDLORD HAVE TO BE INVOLVED?
Obtaining your liquor license before opening for business is a smart idea. You will be able to find out if you are in the right zone beforehand as well as be able to prepare your property. There’s also a wait time throughout the application process. If you factor in at least 5-6 months between sending in your request and your by the time you have your grand opening you should be ok. The sooner that you look into the availability of a license is the better prepared to apply for one.
6. IS YOUR ESTABLISHMENT A RESTAURANT AND DO YOU MEET THE DEFINITION OF A RESTAURANT?
- Business License. To open a restaurant, even before you have a restaurant business plan fully flushed out, you’ll want to obtain a business license.
- Food Service License
- Liquor License
- Food Handler’s Permit
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Sign Permit
7. CAN YOU BUY A TEMPORARY LIQUOR LICENSE?
Buying a Temporary Liquor License for Your Business Has Gotten Easier
Is there a solution towards throwing an event without owning a liquor license?
According to research done here at Liquor License Outlet, yes there is! Owning a license to sell alcohol comes with a lot of responsibility and is a lot of work. Borrowing or renting one is a very convenient way of getting the job done. A quick and simple solution is for you to rent a location that already has a valid liquor license. This in turn will give you the same privileges as an owner of a restaurant or bar. The amount it will cost you to rent out a location with a liquor license can be made back double if your event is in a good location. Buying a temporary liquor license is possible in this way and is a great approach. Our team here at liquor license outlet is also able to help you purchase your own in the future. Since buying a liquor license would allow you to sell to others the right term to use for your situation would be rental.
The Ideal Way to Purchase Your Liquor License
Purchasing a Temporary liquor license is a great idea for those who don’t want to shell out the time and money to own one. There are ways around having to go through the process that many others have to throughout the year. Choosing to work with a trusted source is important if you don’t want to waste your time with trying to find a broker. Owning a liquor license comes with a load of responsibility and planning as well. Finding a reliable place to purchase your liquor license is a very important step before moving ahead. It is more of a possibility for you to rent a liquor license than it is to temporarily buy one. For example, if you are renting a location that holds a liquor license you will then be eligible to use it. You will need to discuss the terms with your landlord and come to an agreement. It is very easy for an owner of a liquor license to lose it due to breaking a law. Legally selling alcohol will require you to have the right liquor license. There are different options to choose from that will allow certain ways for you to serve alcohol. Here we can help you find what you’re looking for and below you will find the types of license available.
Types of liquor licenses for you to choose from in Florida:
- 1APS – Beer (package Sales only)
- 2APS – Beer and Wine (Package Sales Only)
- 1COP – Beer (Package and Consumption)
- 2COP – Beer and Wine (Package and Consumption)
- 3PS – Beer, Wine and Spirits (Package Sales Only)
- 4COP – Beer, Wine, and Spirits (Package and Consumption)
- 11C – Beer, Wine, and Spirits (Consumption Only)
- SRX – Special Restaurant License (Limitations Apply)
As you see, there are many for you to choose from. Liquor licenses are renewed yearly so it’s important that you make sure you are renting yours during a valid period. The owner of the liquor license will receive a notice for renewal 45 days before the expiration date. Now that you know what your options are, take the right steps towards making sure that you are satisfied.
8. DO I NEED A SPECIAL LICENSE FOR BEER AND WINE?
- 2APS – Beer and Wine (Package Sales Only)
- 2COP – Beer and Wine (Package and Consumption)
- 3PS – Beer, Wine and Spirits (Package Sales Only)
- 4COP – Beer, Wine, and Spirits (Package and Consumption)
- 11C – Beer, Wine, and Spirits (Consumption Only)
9. DO I NEED A SPECIAL LICENSE FOR LIQUOR?
- Determine the type of liquor license you need.
- Determine if you need to purchase a liquor license or if you get one directly from the State.
- Purchase your liquor license.
- Apply for the license through the Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco.