New York State Liquor Authority Retail License and Permits FAQ's

1. What are the minimum requirements forApplication (Retail Application).
eligibility to hold a license?a. Applicants must be US6. When filing my application, am I required to
citizens or have permanent resident alien status.submit the entire fee?a. Yes. Installment options
In some cases, citizens of countries withare no longer available as of August 1, 2002.
reciprocal trade agreements may apply.b.7. Can I qualify for a temporary permit while I
Applicants must be 21 or older.c. Applicants mustwait for my permanent license application to be
not be convicted felons (unless they have aprocessed?a. To qualify for a temporary permit,
Certificate of Relief from Civil Disabilities.)d.the following conditions must be satisfied:i. There
Applicants cannot be a police officer with arrestingmust be an active license in existence at the
powers.premises for which you are applying.ii. The permit
2. How can I get an application for an ABC licenseand $640.00 fee must be filed simultaneously with
or permit, and where do I file my application whenthe Retail License Application.iii. The temporary
completed?a. Some applications can bepermit will expire 90 days from the date of
downloaded from the NYS Liquor Authorityissuance.
Website at (NYS Liquor Authority Retail Forms)8. Are there any restrictions on the location of
and (NYS Liquor Authority Wholesale Forms) youmy premises?a. Applicants for a liquor store
may contact one of their four Zone Officeslicense, wine store license and on-premises license
Licensing information Contact to receive ancannot be within 200 feet of a school, church,
application by mail. Applications must be filed withsynagogue or other place of worship.
the Zone Office that supports the county where9. In what instances will criminal convictions or
the premises will conduct business (Zone Officesadministrative actions by the SLA disqualify my
by County).application?a. Individuals not eligible for a license
3. Do I need to consult a professional to help meinclude:i. a person convicted of a felony in NYS,
complete the application?a. The retail applicationincluding felony DWI.ii. a person convicted of a
has been simplified and is accompanied by detailedcrime in another state or federal jurisdiction which
instructions to assist the applicant. However,would translate to a felony conviction if
applicants are always free to obtain professionalcommitted in NYS.iii. a person convicted of
consultation.misdemeanors under sections 230.20 or 230.40 of
4. What are the permitted hours of operation forthe NYS Penal Law or 1146 of the former NYS
any given licensee?a. The hours of operation arePenal Law.iv. a revoked license will disqualify the
regulated by county where the business islicensee for a period of two years; if the revoked
located, except for New York City which islicensee was a corporation any officer or director
regulated by statewide law (County Closing Hoursmay also be disqualified.
Provisions and Chart).Note: If an executive pardon or a certificate of
5. What are the Notification to the Clerkrelief from disabilities is obtained, the convictions
Community Board and Notification of Publication?a.are no longer disqualifying in and of themselves,
On-premises license applicants must notify thealthough all convictions may be considered as part
appropriate government entity (village, town orof the total merit of the application.
city clerk or the appropriate community board ifFor more information on a New York City
in NYC) as well as the designated newspaper of aAlcoholic Beverage Commission Dispute, contact
pending license application at a particular location.an experienced New York City attorney for
See pages 8 and 9 of the Retail Licenseassistance with your legal needs.