Del Norte County Liquor Licenses

Plan the premises before choosing a Del Norte County license

For a restaurant, bar, or store in Del Norte County, the first question is where the business will operate. An ABC license and local land-use approval address different parts of the project. A license purchase does not by itself establish that alcohol sales are permitted at the proposed address.

Crescent City or unincorporated Del Norte County?

Identify the planning authority for the actual parcel. Del Norte County’s planning resources list the City of Crescent City Planning Department separately. County Planning administers zoning under the county’s General Plan and Local Coastal Program. Ask the responsible authority which reviews apply to your site, including any coastal requirements; do not assume the same process applies to every address.

For an existing business, collect prior use approvals and their conditions. For a new site, discuss the intended use, operating hours, and proposed improvements before treating a lease as ready for alcohol service.

Match the license to the operation

• Restaurant serving beer and wine: Review Type 41, which requires operation as a bona fide eating place.
• Restaurant serving spirits: Review Type 47, the on-sale general eating-place license.
• Bar or nightclub: Review Type 48 public-premises requirements. Food service is not required, and minors generally cannot enter and remain.
• Retail take-home sales: Review the off-sale category appropriate to the products you plan to sell.

The business description and premises plans should agree with the license category. Calling a bar a restaurant does not establish eating-place eligibility.

Prepare a Del Norte project file

1. Confirm the address, parcel, and reviewing jurisdiction.
2. Describe the alcohol products, service areas, and food operation.
3. Collect the lease or ownership information and available premises plans.
4. Identify existing ABC license and local permit conditions.
5. List outstanding approvals and documents before committing to an opening date.

Buying or selling an existing license

Send us the license number and the proposed transaction structure. Liquor License Brokers can help organize the purchase or sale, application documents, and questions for the reviewing agencies. Availability and price require a review of the actual license; this page does not advertise a specific license currently for sale.

Start a review: Use the form below with your Del Norte County address, business model, and any existing license information. A clear project description lets us focus on the approvals you need.

Official resources: Del Norte County Planning, County planning links, including Crescent City, and California ABC license categories. See our California liquor license services for the statewide overview.