Alcohol Licensing Regulations Workshop Conducted by Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco
MadisonYES!
Press Release
September 9, 2012
Alcohol Licensing Regulations Workshop Conducted by Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco
On Thursday, September 6, 2012, Beverly Wood hosted an Alcohol Licensing Workshop at the 53 Bar located on Highway 53, south of Interstate 10. Over 50 Madison County citizens attended the workshop, presented by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). Workshop presenters included Lt. Ralph Campbell, Law Enforcement Officer for the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, and Damon J. Larry, Senior Management Analyst II, also from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.
The following are notes taken from the workshop, but both presenters stated time and time again that people should not hesitate to call or email them with questions or clarifications. These notes are presented as general information and should not be considered as legal facts. For complete information, call or email the DPBR, or go online to www.MyFloridaLicense.com.
• Madison County will be issued three full liquor licenses (beer, wine & liquor) by random lottery immediately following the 90 day waiting period following the certification of the election by the Madison County Clerk of the Court. The 90 day waiting period could begin as early as Wednesday, September 19, following the approval of the minutes from the September 5, 2012 meeting of the Madison County Board of County Commissioners. The lottery is done by computer. Madison County will not be eligible for a fourth license until the population reaches 30,000.
• Once a license has been awarded, the winner of the license is required to pay a $624 licensing fee plus a one-time fee of $10,500. The annual fee after the initial cost is currently $624.
• The full liquor license is considered “real property” and can be sold as such. The DPBR does not regulate the value of a license being sold to a third party. If the license is sold to a third party before a three year time period, the seller is liable for a penalty of fifteen times the annual licensing fee (15 X $624).
• The 90 day waiting period is required by law to allow time for due process in the event the results from the election are challenged.
• After the 90 day waiting period has successfully passed, the DBPR will advertise the beginning of a 45 day application period for interested parties to apply of a full liquor license. Any person or business may apply only one time for this license. The application fee is $100 and is non-refundable. Absolutely no applications for the licenses are accepted before or after this 45 day application period.
• A winner of a full alcohol license can place the license in escrow for up to two years without penalty. The license will be forfeited if not used or sold within the two years.
• For a restaurant to be able to sell liquor by the drink, the restaurant must be at least 2,500 square feet in size, be able to seat 150 customers at all times, and 51% of its total revenue must come from food sales. Customer seating may be inside and outside, provided the outside seating is covered. (This license is not considered one of the full liquor licenses.) Specialty licenses are available for restaurants, hotels/motels, bowling alleys, golf courses, etc. There is no limit to the number of these types of licenses, provided the business meets the established criteria.
• Restaurants that currently possess a beer license can apply for a beer and wine license at the end of the 90 day waiting period.
• Restaurants that currently do no not have a beer license can apply for a beer license right away (current law), and can upgrade to a beer and wine license after the 90 day waiting period.
For additional information, please contact:
Ralph Campbell
Law Enforcement Lieutenant
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
1940 N. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1026
Voice – 850.717.1129
Fax – 850.922.0420
ralph.campbell@dbpr.state.fl.us
www.MyFloridaLicense.com
Damon J. Larry
Senior Management Analyst II
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
1940 N. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1020
Voice – 850.413-7417
Fax – 850.921.7800
Email – damon.larry@dbpr.state.fl.us
Website – www.MyFlorida.com/dbpr
