How to file the alcoholic beverage license (California)
A restaurant serving beer and wine applies for a Type 41 (on-sale beer and wine, eating place); spirits take a Type 47, whose number is capped by county population, so many are bought from an existing holder by transfer. The notice of application is posted at the premises for 30 days.
- Agency
- California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
- Where it applies
- California
- How it's filed
- Filed in person
- Fee
- VariesSet by ABC for the license type and county.
- How long it takes
- ABC's investigation takes about 55 to 65 days, and the license can't issue in under 30; San Francisco's guide plans 3 to 6 months for the whole process.
Official links
Checked against the agency's own page.
Every filing links to the agency's own page, and every fact comes from an official form or agency page. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file. How we source and check these guides
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