Applying for a liquor license in San Francisco, CA involves a series of steps as outlined by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The process begins at the nearest district office of the ABC, where all parties involved should be present during the application. An ABC staff member will ask you questions about your proposed operation and determine the type of license needed. They will then advise you on what forms and fees are needed to file the application. Some applicants may need to first obtain approval from zoning officials, open an escrow, or go to the office of the County Recorder for a certified copy of a Notice of Intended Transfer. It is the applicant's responsibility to post the Public Notice of Application at the premises for 30 days and provide information to the ABC as needed for the investigation. The average time to process an application is around 75 days for a Person-to-Person transfer, and 90 days for an Original. All licenses are renewed on a 12-month basis. For more detailed information about the application process, you may visit the ABC’s website.
The forms required for the application can be found on the ABC website. The forms vary depending on the type of license you need. For a new license, you can find the application form at the New License page. If you're planning to host an event, you might need an Event Permit or a Catering Permit. There are also forms for daily licenses, wine sales events, and more. Make sure to use the most up-to-date documents to avoid submitting an invalid form. Licensing Forms
The application fees are charged at the time of submission and are generally non-refundable. These fees are used to cover the cost of processing the application, including the investigation of the proposed licensed premises and the background of the license applicant. The fees for new licenses or the transfer of an existing license can vary based on the privileges provided by the license. For example, licenses that authorize the retail sale of all types of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, and distilled spirits), called 'General' licenses, have higher fees. License Fees
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