Alcohol/Drug Impaired Driving Prevention

The department regulates and issues licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages for the State of California. Services include alcoholic beverages complaints; alcohol/drug impaired driving prevention for adolescents; and beer/liquor licenses. There are no geographic restrictions.

Eligible applicants for a permanent beer or liquor license must obtain a Sales Tax Permit from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (see the separate entry) and meet Federal Occupational Tax Stamp requirements of the United States Treasury Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. In addition, the applicant must contact local city or county officials to determine if a business license is required and if the area of the business has any zoning regulations regarding the sale of liquor. Before the license is issued, the Department conducts an investigation which lasts from 45 to 50 days. All licenses are renewed on a 12 month basis.

There is a State moratorium on the issuance of new beer and liquor licenses in areas which have been determined to have a high concentration of existing businesses selling alcoholic beverages both for on and off-premises consumption or which have a high crime rate. Contact a district office for details.

The department provides free training on ABC Laws and rules for new applicants and all licensees and employees. It awards grants to local law enforcement organizations to target alcohol-related crime.

Complaints may be submitted online at https://www.abc.ca.gov/contact/file-complaint/.