Walton County Liquor Licenses for Sale

Types of Walton County Liquor Licenses

As a business owner in Walton County, Florida, it’s critical that you secure a liquor license in Walton County to sell or serve alcohol legally. In Florida, Walton County is located in the northeastern part of the Sunshine State and has a population of about 75,000. The county seat is DeFuniak Springs, and the largest city is Miramar Beach. Both locals and tourists enjoy visiting Grayton Beach State Park, Eden Gardens State Park, and Blue Mountain Beach. The area also is home to the annual Walton County Fair, which takes place each October in DeFuniak Springs. 

In order for businesses to sell liquor to patrons, we offer online Walton County liquor license auctions for the following permit types:

• 6COP: Permits restaurants and bars to sell all liquor -- beer, wine, and spirits -- for consumption on-premises in Walton County. 
• 3BPS: Permits liquor stores to sell all liquor -- beer, wine, and spirits -- for consumption off-premises in Walton County, Florida.

Each Florida liquor license grants the holder the right to sell in a specific Florida county, such as Walton. Liquor licenses are not transferable between counties. They are, however, transferable between owners, which means you can legally buy or sell any Walton County alcohol license.

How to Buy a Walton County Liquor License

When purchasing a Walton County alcohol license, there are two routes you can take. The first way is to attain a liquor license from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (AB&T). The other way is to acquire an alcohol permit in Walton County through a liquor license broker, like Liquor License Auctioneers, on the open market. 

Each Florida County has a limited number of quota alcohol licenses. Walton County is no exception. So most often, buyers will have to obtain a liquor license in Walton County from the secondary market. Usually, they have to wait for a seller to sell a liquor license to them in Walton County, FL.

This is where our liquor license brokers can help. We’ve developed and maintained lasting relationships with both lawyers and business people in this sector. These connections allow us to provide Walton County liquor licenses exclusively available on our unique auction platform. Since other liquor license brokerages do not have the ability to sell these alcohol permits, we can price the Walton County alcohol licenses fairly. Let our alcohol permit brokers know if you need a specific type of alcohol license in Walton County, and we can reach out to our network and track one down for you.

These eight steps to transfer a Walton County liquor license must be completed by the buyer and the seller.

1. Set a Price for the Liquor License: A price for the Walton County alcohol license, which includes the auction fee, will be chosen by the seller. They will offer the alcohol permit to the buyer at this set asking price.
2. Create a Purchase Agreement: Once the sale price for the Walton County liquor license has been agreed upon, the buyer and seller will sign and date a written Purchase Agreement.
3. Pay 10% of the Cost of the Liquor License Upfront: The buyer must pay 10% of the cost of the Walton County alcohol permit at this time, placing it into an Attorney Trust Account. This is also when the closing date for the sale of the alcohol license will be set.
4. Prepare the Bill of Sale & All Closing Documents: The seller may have an escrow agent or their attorney help them complete the Alcohol License Transfer Affidavit, the Bill of Sale, the Closing Documents, and other documents for the AB&T Application. After these required forms are filled out, the buyer will ask their attorney or escrow agent to put these documents in escrow until the sale is finalized.   
5. Seller Pays Transfer Fees: Any transfer fees that may have accrued during the liquor license transfer process will be deducted from the seller’s compensation when the sale for the Walton County alcohol license is closed. 
6. Buyer pays the AB&T Annual License Fee: At the time of the closing of the sale for the Walton County alcohol license, the buyer will pay the prorated annual license fee. The closing statement must be sent over to the seller’s attorney as well as the payment, and the buyer can pay the amount owed or have their escrow agent or attorney pay the fee on their behalf. The payment can be made with a Cashier’s Check, Bank Wire, Attorney’s Trust Account Check, or a Bank Check.
7. Closing the Bill of Sale: When the sale for the Walton County alcohol license is closed, the seller’s escrow agent must give the buyer the following: the original Bill of Sale, the Closing Statement, any documents for the AB&T Application, and the Affidavit of Transferor.   
8. Submit Transfer of Liquor License Application Documents to AB&T: The buyer can have their escrow agent or attorney assist them in submitting the AB&T Application. Then, until the buyer is ready to sell or serve liquor at the establishment, the Walton County alcohol license may be placed in escrow with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (AB&T). If the place of business is ready to open, the AB&T will send the buyer a temporary alcohol permit.  

Our liquor license brokers can assist you in completing these nine steps to obtain an alcohol license in Walton County, Florida.

1. Secure the location: Select the location where you plan to sell alcohol, and then provide proof that you have purchased, leased, or rented the space. 
2. Select your liquor license: Choose the specific type of quota alcohol license that you’ll need for your business in Walton County. The liquor license can be purchased from the Division of AB&T or through a liquor license broker, such as Liquor License Auctioneers. 
3. Survey the location: Have an inspector come to your place of business to survey the premises. You may have our alcohol permit brokers complete the inspection.
4. Complete your AB&T Application: When sending in your completed AB&T Application, you also must submit the following required forms and documents: get zoning approval, receive originating agency identification number, get health and human resources approval, fill out service agreements, provide right of occupancy, send in fingerprints, pay a fee, gain Department of Revenue Approval, register with the Florida Division of Corporation, include a blueprint of the business location, fill out management contracts, and complete all related-party personal information.
5. Submit your AB&T Application: Once these forms and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (AB&T) Application are complete, send them for approval to the Walton County division district office.  
6. Post the temporary initial license: If a fee was paid to acquire a temporary alcohol permit, the DBPR AB&T will send you the temporary Walton County liquor license. This alcohol license must be posted at your establishment until the official liquor license is received.
7. AB&T Application Review: At this time, the DBPR Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (AB&T) will review your AB&T Application for a Walton County liquor license. They will add all the AB&T related documents to their system.
8. Submit to investigation: The final business inspection will be completed by the AB&T. They will survey the business establishment to be sure you have completed all the required steps and that your place of business can properly sell or serve alcohol.
9. Receive the liquor license: Once the AB&T has determined that you’ve completed all eight previous steps, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (AB&T) will approve the AB&T Application. They’ll send the bill for the Walton County alcohol license, which must be paid before they send you the alcohol permit. Once you receive the official liquor license for Walton County, it must be displayed at your business location.  

These nine steps will meet the requirements for obtaining a Walton County alcohol permit from the DBPR AB&T. Adhering as closely as possible to each step and completing them in a timely manner will ensure that you’ll receive your alcohol license for Walton County as soon as possible. Be sure to check with the local municipality to see if there are any additional regulations to attain a liquor license in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. 

Due to the number of businesses selling liquor in Walton County, it’s essential that your business stay competitive and receive one of the sought-after Walton County alcohol licenses. Choose Liquor License Auctioneers to help you secure your alcohol permit. With our ethical business standards, innovative auction platform, and professional customer service, we provide a quality alcohol license platform. Reach out to our team if you need a type of Walton County alcohol license that is not currently posted on our bidding platform. See our live auctions happening in real-time, and make an offer on a Walton County liquor license now.