Every state requires a liquor license.
The State of Florida grants liquor licenses to those who meet the liquor license requirement criteria of the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Bureau of Licensing. The bureau issues two liquor licenses to eligible persons or establishments. The bureau gives a quota liquor license once a year by lottery. A quota license is created for an increase in population of 7,500 people in a county. A liquor license is awarded to the winner of a lot drawn from submitted liquor license applications. The second type of license, the SRX or the special restaurant license, is given round the year for restaurants. Under the laws of the State of Florida manufacturing, selling, bottling, distributing or in any manner dealing with alcoholic beverages without a valid license is a second degree misdemeanor.
Types
Florida licensing regulations have a three-tier system. A licensee can hold only one type of liquor license. A manufacturer's liquor licenses permits manufacturing and bottling of alcoholic beverages. A distributer's liquor license permits purchase of alcoholic beverages from manufacturers and sale to retail vendors. A retail vendor's alcoholic license permits the sale of alcoholic beverages to adults over the age of 21.
Zoning
Establishments in zones that permit serving alcohol can obtain liquor licenses in Florida.
Fingerprinting
The state requires fingerprinting of all persons whose names are on the liquor license application.
Social Security Number
The Social Security numbers of all persons whose names are on the liquor license application should be furnished.
Conviction
Florida prohibits issuing liquor licenses to persons convicted of any offence under the beverage laws of the state. The law prohibits issuing licenses to a corporation if any of its officers have a prior conviction of violating any of the beverage laws in the state.
Business
Business establishments registered in the state that have a federal Employer's Identification Number can apply for liquor licenses in the state.
