Planning - Business Licensing

How do I Apply for a License to Sell Alcohol?
I’ve Finished My Part. What Happens Next?
Additional Information
Fees

This guide is provided to help new or existing establishments obtain and maintain a business license for beer and liquor in the unincorporated areas of Salt Lake County.

What licenses do I need in order to be able to sell alcohol at my business?

You must obtain alcohol licenses from both the Utah State government and local government before your business can sell alcoholic beverages.

How Do I Apply For A License To Sell Alcohol?

It is best to start early. This process takes time. It is not possible to apply one week and open a business the next. If there are no delays it may take up to two months to approve and issue a license. There are several steps to obtaining an alcohol retail license.

1. Contact the Utah Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC). The State has its own requirements for issuing beer and liquor licenses. You need both a state and a local license in order to operate a business. The DABC usually meets on the last Friday of each month to discuss alcohol licenses. The deadline for being placed on the agenda is the 10th day of each month. You must meet all of the State’s requirements before that meeting or they will not consider your application. Phone: 801 977-6800.
2. Fill out an application for a County license. If the business will be located in an unincorporated part of Salt Lake County complete and submit an Application for Business License to the Planning and Development Services office located at: 2001 South State Street, North Building, Room #N3600. If you already have a business license and wish to add the alcohol license to an existing business fill out the same application. If the business will be located in a municipal jurisdiction such as Salt Lake City or Riverton City contact that particular local government to apply for an alcohol license.
3. Get zoning approval. Depending on the location of the business,you may need to apply and receive approval for a conditional use. This is a separate process and may take 6 to 8 weeks to complete. To ask any specific questions about what will be required to receive zoning approval speak to a Information Specialist at the front counter or call the Planning and Development Services at: 801 468-2000.
4. Pay the licensing fee. Once you have fulfilled all the requirements for zoning approval submit the Application for Business License to the Planning and Development Services office and pay all licensing fees that apply. Unlike other licensing fees alcohol regulatory fees are never prorated. A basic licensing fee plus other regulatory fees may also apply. (Refer to the table below for a schedule of alcohol regulatory fees.)
5. Fill out the Sheriff’s forms. For most alcohol licenses the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office will need to do a background check on the owners of a business before recommending approval of the license. After you have paid your fees go to the County Sheriff’s Department, Vice Division, 2001 South State Street, South Building, Room #S2021, where you will be asked to fill out additional forms. You may also be fingerprinted as part of the background investigation process. If you have any questions contact the Vice Division at: 801 468-3115.

I’ve finished my part. What happens next?

1. A copy of your County business license application will be sent to the Sheriff and copies may also be sent to the Fire Department and City/County Board of Health depending on what inspections will be required for approval of your business license.
2. Once necessary inspections have been completed and Planning and Development Services has received recommendations for approval from each of the agencies a letter will be sent to the County Legislative Body recommending approval of the appropriate alcohol license.
3. If the County Legislative Body approves the alcohol license a County License will be printed and issued to you. Your County business license must be in your possession for the monthly DABC meeting.
4. Upon approval by the County Legislative Body a Letter of Local Consent will be sent to the DABC by the County Clerk notifying the DABC that you have met all of the requirements to be issued an alcohol license from the County. The DABC must have received this letter before its monthly meeting or your application for a state alcohol license will not be considered.
5. Your County license will expire on December 31st of each year and must be renewed by February 15th of the following year.

Additional Information

The Planning and Development Services Division Director is authorized to bring any conditional use permit application before the Planning Commission if, in his opinion, the general public interest will be better served by review of the Planning Commission.

Beer and Liquor License Fees

* These fees do not include basic license fees or any other regulatory fees which may apply.

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