SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY LIQUOR LICENSE FOR SALE.
Everything You Need to Know About Liquor Licenses in San Bernardino County, California
Securing a liquor license in San Bernardino County, California, is a crucial step for many businesses looking to serve alcohol to customers. Whether you are planning to open a restaurant, bar, liquor store, or any other type of business involving the sale of alcoholic beverages, obtaining the proper liquor license is essential to ensure compliance with state and local regulations.
In California, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is responsible for issuing liquor licenses, and navigating the process can be a complex and time-consuming endeavor. However, understanding the steps involved, the different types of licenses available, and how professionals like Liquor License Brokers can assist you can make the entire process smoother and faster.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about obtaining a liquor license in San Bernardino County—from the different license types available to the steps involved in securing a license. We’ll also explain how Liquor License Brokers, led by Rob De La Torre and Lili Damaso, can help businesses successfully obtain a liquor license in San Bernardino County and across California.
Understanding Liquor Licenses in California
Before diving into the specifics of obtaining a liquor license in San Bernardino County, it’s essential to understand the broader framework of liquor licenses in California.
What is a Liquor License?
A liquor license is a legal permit issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) that allows businesses to sell alcoholic beverages. This license ensures that businesses comply with California’s alcohol laws, including restrictions on who can sell alcohol, the types of alcohol that can be sold, and the hours during which alcohol can be sold.
Liquor licenses are required for any business that sells, serves, or distributes alcohol in California. The specific license required depends on the type of business, the location, and the type of alcohol being sold.
Types of Liquor Licenses in California
In California, there are several types of liquor licenses, each suited to different types of businesses. Below are some of the most common licenses for businesses operating in San Bernardino County.
1. On-Sale Licenses
On-sale licenses allow businesses to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises. These licenses are ideal for businesses like restaurants, bars, clubs, and cafes.
Type 41 – On-Sale Beer & Wine – Eating Place License
This license is issued to restaurants that wish to sell beer and wine for consumption on-site. The business must operate as a bona fide eating place with kitchen facilities, and the sale of food must be a substantial part of the business.
Key Features:
Permits the sale of beer and wine for on-premises consumption.
Requires that food be served alongside alcohol.
Minors are allowed, but only when accompanied by an adult.
Alcohol servers must be certified in Responsible Beverage Service (RBS).
Type 42 – On-Sale Beer & Wine – Public Premises License
This license is designed for businesses like bars, lounges, and nightclubs that wish to sell beer and wine for consumption on-site, but with no food service requirement. However, many establishments may offer snacks or light fare.
Key Features:
Allows the sale of beer and wine for on-premises consumption.
No food service requirement, though snacks or light fare may be offered.
Minors are allowed, but they must be accompanied by an adult.
Alcohol servers must be RBS certified.
Type 47 – On-Sale General – Eating Place License
The Type 47 license is for restaurants that want to sell beer, wine, and spirits for consumption on-premises. To qualify for this license, the business must operate as a bona fide eating place with suitable kitchen facilities.
Key Features:
Permits the sale of beer, wine, and spirits for on-premises consumption.
Requires food service alongside alcohol.
Minors are allowed, but only when accompanied by an adult.
Alcohol servers must be RBS certified.
2. Off-Sale Licenses
Off-sale licenses allow businesses to sell alcohol for off-premises consumption. This type of license is typically issued to grocery stores, liquor stores, supermarkets, and other retail businesses.
Type 20 – Off-Sale Beer & Wine License
The Type 20 license allows businesses to sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption. This license is ideal for liquor stores, grocery stores, and supermarkets that sell alcohol.
Key Features:
Permits the sale of beer and wine for off-premises consumption.
Alcohol must be sold in its original, unopened container.
No food service is required.
Typically issued to liquor stores and grocery stores.
Type 21 – Off-Sale General License
The Type 21 license is for businesses that want to sell beer, wine, and spirits for off-premises consumption. This license is ideal for liquor stores that wish to sell a broader selection of alcohol, including spirits.
Key Features:
Permits the sale of beer, wine, and spirits for off-premises consumption.
Alcohol must be sold in its original, unopened container.
No food service is required.
Typically issued to liquor stores and grocery stores.
The Process of Obtaining a Liquor License in San Bernardino County
Step 1: Understand Your Business Needs
The first step in obtaining a liquor license is understanding the type of business you are operating and determining which type of liquor license is best suited for your needs. Will your business sell alcohol for on-premises or off-premises consumption? Will you be serving food? The answers to these questions will guide your choice of the appropriate liquor license.
Step 2: Verify Zoning Compliance
Before applying for a liquor license, it’s essential to ensure that your business location complies with local zoning laws. Zoning regulations vary by city and county, and not all areas are zoned for alcohol sales. San Bernardino County has its own specific zoning requirements, and you will need to confirm that your business location is within an area designated for alcohol sales.
Step 3: Submit Your Application to the ABC
Once you have determined the appropriate license and verified zoning compliance, you can submit your application to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The application process involves filling out detailed forms and submitting documentation that proves your business meets all requirements.
Documentation typically includes:
A detailed description of your business operations.
Proof of ownership or lease for the property where you plan to operate.
Background checks for all individuals involved in the business.
Proof of compliance with local zoning regulations.
Step 4: ABC Review and Approval
After submitting your application, the ABC will review your submission. The review process can take several weeks to months, depending on the type of license and the ABC’s current workload. During this period, the ABC may request additional documentation or conduct background checks.
In some cases, the ABC may also require a public notification to inform the community about your application. If there are no objections or issues raised during this process, the ABC will approve your application.
Step 5: Premises Inspection and Final Approval
Once your application has been approved, the ABC will conduct an inspection of your business premises to ensure they meet the necessary requirements. After passing the inspection, you will receive your liquor license, allowing you to legally sell alcohol.
Step 6: Ongoing Compliance
After obtaining your liquor license, you must continue to comply with state and local alcohol regulations. This includes ensuring that your alcohol servers are RBS certified and renewing your license as required by the ABC.
How Liquor License Brokers Can Help
Navigating the liquor license application process can be complex, and it’s easy to make mistakes that could delay or derail your application. That’s where Liquor License Brokers, led by Rob De La Torre and Lili Damaso, come in. Here’s how Liquor License Brokers can help streamline the process:
1. Expert Consultation
Rob and Lili provide expert consultation services to help you understand which liquor license is best for your business. They assess your business needs, explain the available options, and guide you toward the license that best suits your goals.
2. Application Assistance
The application process can be overwhelming, but Liquor License Brokers make it easier by handling all the paperwork for you. They ensure that your application is complete, accurate, and submitted on time, helping you avoid costly mistakes.
3. Zoning Verification
Zoning compliance is a crucial part of the liquor license process. Rob and Lili help verify that your business location is zoned appropriately for alcohol sales and assist in navigating any zoning issues that may arise.
4. RBS Certification
To comply with ABC regulations, all alcohol servers must be RBS certified. Liquor License Brokers help ensure that your staff meets the necessary certification requirements and is trained in responsible alcohol service.
