What You Need To Know Before Applying For A Liquor License

Many business owners apply for liquor licenses each year. Some apply for their licenses before they're even officially open for business. Others make the decision to apply later, after they realize how much alcohol sales could boost their income.

No matter where you currently are in your journey as a business owner, there are a few things you should know before you take steps toward obtaining a liquor license.

There Are Limits to What Your License Allows

Often, people think that once they have a liquor license, they can do whatever they want and sell tons of alcohol at their discretion.

However, keep in mind that a liquor license is not a free-for-all. It does still have its own limitations and requirements that you have to keep in mind. Otherwise, you could lose your license and potentially face hefty fines and fees as well.

So before you even apply for a license, know the various conditions, such as the fact that, in most cases, you can only sell one drink to one patron at a time. Be prepared to follow these conditions and realistic about what they might mean for your plans for your business. Knowing this information ahead of time can help you to avoid disappointments and setbacks and can also start you off on the right foot in terms of following the law.

There Are Costs Involved

People are often surprised to learn that there are costs, sometimes big ones, involved in obtaining a liquor license. These costs vary depending on where you live, with some states having more expensive licensing fees of up to $14,000. 

Additional fees may also be involved if you wish to take more convenient approaches to getting your liquor license, such as applying for your license online or rushing the order. Do your research ahead of time so that you can adequately prepare for the costs involved in obtaining your liquor license.

Getting Your License Takes Time

One final thing to note is that getting your liquor license can sometimes take a while. How long it will take varies from state to state and is usually highly dependent on whether or not a quota is in place for these licenses. When a quota is in place, only a set number of licenses are given each year, which could mean you're put on a long waiting list if the quota has already been filled or is in the process of being filled.

Not knowing about the wait time can put a major dent in your plans, so determine about how long you can expect to wait. Knowing this information ahead of time will help to avoid unwanted surprises or ruined plans.

As you can see, a lot of planning and thought should go into obtaining your liquor license. By keeping these tips in mind, however, you'll be off to a great, more productive start. Learn more from a company such as Arizona Liquor Industry Consultants.