The California Liquor Control Board - The Place to get Your California ABC License

If you've been wondering where to apply for a liquor license, California has 23 Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) offices throughout the state where any one who is interested in serving alcoholic beverages can apply for a license. If you are at the beginning stages of a project and you intend to sell beer & wine or full alcohol, it is advisable that you visit a local office where you can become acquainted with the rules, regulations and laws associated with being an licensed alcohol vendor.

Once you have found a site where you plan to operate, keep in mind that most ABC offices take approximately 45-90 days to process an application. While not expected, in the event your application is protested, the time frame can extend to 180 or more days. This is important because most businesses can not afford to open without having a license in hand, so giving yourself adequate lead time is critical.

Once licensed, you will receive your yearly renewal form at whatever address you provide the CA liquor licensing commission, so be sure you always have a current address on file. The last thing you want is to wake up one day and learn your a California liquor license has been revoked due to non-payment of your annual fee.

As a business owner you'll also have to apply for several state of California business licenses. These include, but are not limited to, a State Board of Equalization seller's permit, health department approvals, building & safety permits, an excise tax permit, and, in some cases, a special Federal Occupational Tax Stamp may be required.

Besides all of the state requirements, you should also check with your local city or county zoning department to ensure that your site is properly zoned for the sale of alcoholic beverages. In many cases a public hearing is mandatory and your case will be held before a city or county planning board. This is so local residents can weigh in with any concerns about your proposed project and is the venue where you have an opportunity to introduce yourself and your business concept to the community.

Because of the myriad of details involved in acquiring a a liquor license, it is a good idea to find a reputable firm that specializes in licensing matters like The American Liquor License Exchange, www.amlex.com. They can help you navigate the sometimes rocky road leading to a successful liquor license application more quickly and surely than you can do on your own.

The first business project is getting a liquor license. This will allow your establishment to make good money & bring in many more people. Be certain to use a reputable company to help with completing the paperwork for your liquor license and making sure you will not have problems with you state and local governing bodies. I am Jon C Meija of The American Liquor License Exchange, call me today at 800-711-2114.