California Frequently Asked Questions

All FAQ's

• How many times can a seller list an alcoholic beverage license on Liquor License Auctioneers’ website and is the seller ever charged a listing fee or a fee to sell a license?
• How many “True Market Value” free quotes can I get a day?
• If I’m on probation or parole, can I still be an alcoholic beverage licensee?
• If I received a DUI but I’m no longer on probation or parole, can I be a licensee on an alcoholic beverage license?
• How long does it normally take for the issuance or transfer of an alcoholic beverage license?
• Do sellers pay a fee to sell an alcoholic beverage license through Liquor License Auctioneers’ website?
• Do sellers have to pay an escrow fee when using the Liquor License Auctioneers’ website?
• When must alcoholic beverage licenses be renewed?
• Can I list my license for sale if I have a pending ABC accusation or I know an ABC accusation is pending?
• Do we have someone on our team that can complete the alcohol sales Conditional Use Permit (CUP) applications throughout the State of California?
• How does a buyer/bidder know and what assurances do they have that the alcoholic beverage license they are bidding on/buying is clean and transferable?
• How does Liquor License Auctioneers protect confidential information when submitted over our website?
• Does Liquor License Auctioneers represent licensee(s) at ABC Administrative Law Hearings for matters such as Selling to a Minor, Bona Fide ID Defenses, Police Decoy Defenses, Sale to an Obviously Intoxicated Individual,Gambling, Narcotics, Stolen Property
• Can Liquor License Auctioneers complete the ABC Modifications Petition to allow Single Sales, Later Hours of Operation, Dancing, Live Entertainment, Video Games and Pool Tables?
• Does Liquor License Auctioneers complete the ABC applications for all 58 counties of California?
• Does the Act require alcoholic beverages to be “Fair Traded”?
• If my application is protested, how long will it take for me to open my business ?
• What are some grounds for protest or denial?
• Does ABC conduct an investigation of license applications?
• Is there a limit on the number of off-sale beer and wine licenses that may be issued in cities or counties?
• How long does it normally take for the issuance or transfer of a license?
• What organizations are eligible for a Club License & Are such clubs restricted to On-Sale privileges
• Where may alcoholic beverages be stored when there is no room for them on the licensed premises?
• What beverages may the holder of an On-Sale license sell for consumption off the licensed premises?
• How long can the licensed premises be closed before the licensee must surrender possession?
• In case of death/incompetency to act as a sole licensee, who may exercise the privileges?
• May a licensee lease out the food concession?
• When must a Liquor License be renewed & may ABC deny the renewal of an existing Liquor License?
• What is meant by a “Public Premises”?
• May an Off-Sale licensee hire minors or use a person under 18 for the sale of alcoholic beverages
• May an on-sale licensee stack drinks or sell and serve drinks a few minutes before 2 am
• If my application is protested, how long will it take for me to open my business ?
• What is documentary evidence of age and identity in California?
• In-home Wine Parties
• Military Personnel bringing alcoholic beverages into California.
• May temporary licenses be obtained for picnics and social events?
• Police and ABC Minor Decoy Requirements
• Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Minor Decoy Program
• Do I need to establish an account to view any parts of Liquor License Auctioneers website?
• If I only need conditional use permit (CUP) assistance, can Liquor License Auctioneers provide assistance?
• If I don’t need to buy a liquor license but need ABC application assistance, can Liquor License Auctioneers provide assistance?
• As the buyer how do I receive the sellers contact information?
• As the seller, how do I receive the buyers contact information and when do I receive it?
• When do I receive the seller’s contact information and how do I get it?
• How does Liquor License Auctioneers’ website solve the buyer’s concerns?
• Can Liquor License Auctioneers really help the major chains with buying & selling alcoholic beverage licenses and completing their ABC applications?
• How does Liquor License Auctioneers’ website solve the seller’s concerns?
• Why California Alcoholic Beverage License prices differ from county to county:
• Why do you have to buy an alcoholic beverage license on the open market in California?
• Why business brokers, consultants, finders, realtors and attorneys may want to consider using the Liquor License Auctioneers’ website:
• What records are retail licensees required to keep?
• May a wholesaler or manufacturer give a retailer a sign?
• Is a wholesaler or manufacturer permitted to have any interest in an on-sale license?
• May retail licensees give samples of alcoholic beverages?
• What is the Clerk’s Affidavit and the warning sign relating to underage sales and purchases?
• Are local authorities empowered to enforce the Act?
• What is the goal of ABC’s disciplinary procedures?
• May any person protest the issuance of a license?
• Can a license be transferred from one person to another person without making an application to ABC?
• What is an alcoholic beverage license?
• How was ABC created?
• What is a Type 20 Off-Sale Beer & Wine Liquor License?
• What are some grounds for protestor denial?
• Are retail licensees required to give sales invoices with liquor sold?
• How must spigot markers for draught beer be placed?
• Are the restrictions placed upon wholesaler-retailer relations commonly referred to as Tied-House restrictions?
• Under what circumstances may wholesalers give samples of the alcoholic beverages they distribute to retail licensees?
• Must a manager of an on-sale licensed business have the same qualifications required of a licensee?
• May local law enforcement agencies use minor decoys to buy alcoholic beverages from licensed premises?
• What consequences does a licensee face for violating the Act or Rules?
• Does the filing of the application for transfer accomplish the transfer of the license?
• What is the organizational structure of ABC?
• What is a Type 21 Off-Sale General Liquor License?
• How long does it normally take for the issuance or transfer of a license?
• What is Type 41 On-Sale Beer and Wine for a Bona Fide Public Eating Place Liquor License?
• Are licensees, other than retailers, required to keep records for departmental review?
• What other requirements are there on maintaining signs?
• Is it permissible for any type of retail licensee to have any ownership interest in the business, property or license of a wholesaler or manufacturer?
• Is a retailer permitted to sell alcoholic beverages which have been given as samples?
• Is a licensee responsible for illegal acts of bartenders or other employees?
• Does ABC have a staff of employees whose duty it is to enforce the Act? How are they identified?
• How does the disciplinary process begin?
• Must a protest from a city council or board of supervisors or local public official state a legal ground for denying an application?
• What is a “bona fide public eating place”?
• What is revocation? Can I get my license back?
• What are the powers of ABC?
• May a retail licensee rent space to a wholesaler for the placing or painting of signs or window displays on or in retailer’s premises?
• Can credit tokens be given to persons purchasing alcoholic beverages, highball glasses, etc.?
• May a licensee employ hosts, hostesses and entertainers, or permit any person, to solicit others to buy them drinks?
• May the licensee refuse an ABC investigator permission to examine the licensee’s books and records pertaining to the licensed business?
• How are investigations conducted, and by whom?
• When may a protest be made?
• Pending transfer of the license, may the intended transferee operate the licensed business?
• May a person who holds a license for a bona fide public eating place lease out the food concession?
• What is a Type 47 On-Sale General for a Bona Fide Public Eating Place Liquor License?
• May a retailer accept any payment from a wholesaler for setting up an advertising display or performing a distribution service in connection with distilled spirits?
• If a retailer buys 100 cases of beer from a wholesaler, may any be given free?
• What should a licensee know about ABC investigators and local law enforcement officers?
• What happens after the investigation?
• If a valid protest is made to the issuance of a license, will a hearing be held and, if so, where?
• When the lease on the licensed premises is terminated and the premises must be vacated, what is required of the licensee?
• What is meant by “public premises”?
• What is a Type 48 On-Sale General Public Premises Liquor License?
• If my application is protested, how long will it take for me to open my business ?
• What is consignment sale?
• May an on-sale licensee place peanuts, popcorn and pretzels upon counters or tables for patrons?
• What are Retail Operating Standards?
• Who may make an accusation against a licensee?
• What steps are required for the issuance or transfer of an alcoholic beverage license?
• What beverages may the holder of an on-sale license sell for consumption off the licensed premises in original, sealed containers?
• Are consignment sales lawful under the Act?
• Are there restrictions that apply to the sale of adult videos and adult magazines?
• What is meant by a “verified” accusation?
• Does ABC notify local officials of the license application?
• Can any person obtain an alcoholic beverage license?
• Does ABC conduct an investigation of license applications?
• Is it lawful for a retail licensee to accept advertising specialties from wholesalers or manufacturers?
• Is there any requirement with regard to interior lighting of retail premises?
• What are the legal grounds for an accusation?
• When is a duplicate license required?
• When may a manufacturer or wholesaler make deliveries of alcoholic beverages to retail licensees?
• What is a disorderly house?
• If an accusation is filed against a licensee, what rights does the licensee have?
• What are the responsibilities of a license applicant?
• When a license certificate is lost or destroyed, how may the licensee obtain a replacement?
• May retailers who hold the same type license agree to group purchase distilled spirits and wine (pool buying) from a wholesaler or rectifier?
• Is a licensee responsible for correcting nuisance conditions on or about the licensed premises?
• May a licensee pay a fine in lieu of serving a license suspension?
• In case of death or incompetency to act as a sole licensee, who may exercise the privileges of the license?
• May ABC deny the renewal of an existing license?
• If a licensee violates the Pure Food and Drug Laws (Health and Safety Code), may his license be suspended or revoked?
• What is the ABC penalty for selling an alcoholic beverage to a minor or permitting a minor to consume an alcoholic beverage in an on-sale premises?
• Does the law prohibit pledging the transfer of a license as security for a loan or as security for the fulfillment of any agreement?
• When must licenses be renewed?
• May a retail licensee import alcoholic beverages from outside the State?
• How long can the licensed premises be closed before the licensee must surrender possession of the license?
• How soon does the license have to be put in use?
• May any person other than a licensed importer bring alcoholic beverages into this State?
• May an applicant have some assurance of the issuance of a license before construction of the premises to be licensed is begun or completed?
• May temporary licenses be obtained for picnics and social events?
• With regard to purchase, consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages, what is the age of majority?
• Must a corporation licensed by ABC report ownership changes to ABC?
• Where may alcoholic beverages be stored when there is no room for them on the licensed premises?
• What is the penalty for a person who furnishes alcohol to a minor?
• Must a limited partnership licensed by ABC report ownership changes to ABC?
• How many feet must licensed premises be from a church, a school, or residences?
• Would the licensee be in violation of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act for selling an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 who appeared to be twenty-one years of age or older?
• Must a limited liability company licensed by ABC report ownership changes to ABC?
• May certain conditions be placed upon the exercise of a license?
• Is there anything a licensee or an employee may do to prevent selling to minors?
• What is meant by license “Limitation” ?
• Is there a limit on the number of off-sale beer and wine licenses that may be issued in cities or counties?
• What is documentary evidence of age and identity?
• What other defense is available to a licensee accused of selling to minors?
• What organizations are eligible for a club license?
• May a minor be arrested for purchasing, consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages?
• Are such clubs restricted to on-sale privileges?
• Is there any law against minors attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages?
• May minors be employed in “on-sale” premises?
• May a minor enter and remain in a licensed premises even though the minor does not purchase or consume any alcoholic beverages?
• May an off-sale licensee hire minors or use the services of a person under 18 years of age for the sale of alcoholic beverages?
• May a habitual drunkard or an obviously intoxicated person be sold alcoholic beverages?
• How may a licensee determine whether a customer is obviously intoxicated?
• Is a retail licensee required to close the doors of the licensed premises and not serve alcoholic beverages during the hours that an election is being held?
• What are the lawful hours for retail sale of alcoholic beverages?
• At what time must a licensee cease sales of alcoholic beverages when the time changes from standard time to daylight savings time and vice versa?
• May an on-sale licensee stack drinks or sell and serve drinks a few minutes before 2 a.m. and permit patrons to remain on the premises consuming alcoholic beverages after that hour?
• May a retail licensee sell alcoholic beverages to another retailer for resale?
• May a licensee sell beer in unlabeled cans or bottles?
• Does the customer who requests an alcoholic drink by brand name have any assurance that the brand ordered will be served?
• May any person have on a licensed premises any alcoholic beverage other than the type authorized by the license?
• May wine be placed in decanting bottles by an on-sale licensee?
• May partially consumed wine bottles be removed from an on-sale licensed premises?
• Is the refilling of a distilled spirits bottle unlawful?
• May empty distilled spirits bottles be sold by an on-sale general licensee or his employees?
• Is there any law prohibiting the use of open pouring spouts?
• Must keg beer sold to consumers be registered?
• Are there any special restrictions for licensees who sell both alcoholic beverages and gasoline?
• If, for some reason, the alcoholic beverage license you won in the auction is not transferable due to some reason applicable to the seller and/or the license, is my money fully refundable?
• Is Liquor License Auctioneers preferred escrow company affiliated with Liquor License Auctioneers or its subsidiaries?
• Are all the alcoholic beverage licenses on Liquor License Auctioneers website checked to make sure they are transferable and valid before being listed on the auction website?
• How do the Liquor License Auctioneers fees compare with brokers’, consultants’ and finders’ fees?
• Why does escrow require a second mailing address for a buyer and seller on our forms?
• Will my auction fees be refunded if The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control does not approve the alcoholic beverage license transfer?
• Is Liquor License Auctioneers preferred escrow company licensed, regulated by the California Department of Corporations, bonded and insured?
• How can the auction fee and license deposits be paid?
• Does Liquor License Auctioneers preferred escrow company have a privacy and sharing of personal information policy?
• If my ABC license is suspended or condtionally revoked, can I still list and sell the alcoholic beverage license on Liquor License Auctioneers’ website?
• Does the buyer’s auction fee differ from county to county?
• In the event a taxing authority has a hold on an alcoholic beverage license in escrow, will the third party, independent escrow company act as a liaison between the seller/taxpayer and the taxing authority?
• What happens if the auction fee and license deposit are not paid within 24 hours of the auctions close?
• Can I use my escrow company for transactions done through Liquor License Auctioneers’ website?
• Does Liquor License Auctioneers have a privacy policy that protects the personally identifiable information of the buyer and the seller?
• What is the return check fee using Liquor License Auctioneers website?
• If a taxing authority has a hold on an alcoholic beverage license in escrow, how do we facilitate the tax hold release?
• Do I have to have a computer to list and sell my alcoholic beverage license on your auction website?
• Once renewal fees have been paid to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control are they refundable?
• What happens If a buyer fails to fund the full balance of the alcoholic beverage license within 30 days, as agreed to in the Terms of Escrow?
• What does the “Starting Price’ mean?
• If the renewal fees become due on an alcoholic beverage license after you win the auction, who pays the renewal fees?
• What does the “Buy Now” price mean?
• Liquor License Escrow Requirements
• What happens if the buyer fails to pay the renewal fees in a timely manner?
• What do buyers auction fees cover and is that different from the alcoholic beverage license deposit?
• Why does Liquor License Auctioneers charge a $150.00 “processing fee” and when does a buyer pay the fee?
• Once a seller’s alcoholic beverage license information is accepted, how long before it is posted to the auction website?
• As the buyer, how do I receive my escrow documents from the escrow company?
• When is the escrow fee payable to Liquor License Auctioneers’ independent third party escrow company for the license won on the Liquor License Auctioneers’ website?
• What happens if my liquor license doesn’t sell in the time period I selected using Liquor License Auctioneers website?
• As the seller, how do I receive my escrow documents from the escrow company?
• When is the full purchase price for an alcoholic beverage license payable into escrow?
• Why do I need to fill out a “sellers questionnaire” to sell a liquor license on Liquor License Auctioneers website?
• Does Liquor License Auctioneers or their third party independent escrow company have a warranty or guarantee, concerning its or their ability to obtain a release of any tax hold or lien, or concerning the subsequent sale and issuance of any specific alcoh
• When is the auction fee and alcoholic beverage license deposit due?
• For a buyer to buy a liquor license using Liquor License Auctioneers’ website, the buyer only needs to provide the following information:
• If I want to sell my alcoholic beverage license and the renewal fees are due or my license is in the penalty phase for non-payment of the renewal fees, can I still list and sell my license on the Liquor License Auctioneers’ website?
• What happens if the buyer doesn’t place the remaining funds into escrow within 30 days of filing the ABC application?
• What happens if the buyer fails to pay the auction fee and license deposit within 24 hours of the auctions close?
• After a buyer pays the auction fee and alcoholic beverage license deposit, when does the buyer have to place the rest of the funds into escrow?
• How much are the escrow fees and when are they due?