Requirements for Obtaining Alcoholic Beverage Licenses

1.  Application – Complete all questions on Application for Alcoholic Beverage License and have the form notarized.

Applications must be filed on or before the first of the month prior to the month in which the hearing is anticipated. Hearings are scheduled before the Fulton County Board of Commissioners on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m.

The Tax Commissioner shall submit the application to the Board of Commissioners at least three days prior to the regular monthly meeting.

Included on the application, question 8, is a certification of the square footage of the proposed business and the number of on-site parking spaces if the business is a stand-alone business. If the proposed location is in a shopping center, office building or other multi-business development, the certification must show the total square footage and total parking spaces for the entire development.

A check for the following must be submitted at the time of filing the application:

a. Investigation Fee / $800.00
b. Advertising Fee *
·  Individual / $830.00 / (31 lines)
·  Partnership / $991.60 / (37 lines)
(if more than 2 partners - $17.84 for every 6 words over)
·  Corporation / $1179.20 / (44 lines)
c. License Fees
Consumption on the Premises
·  Liquor / $3200.00
·  Beer / $650.00
·  Wine / $650.00
d. Beverage Fire Inspection Fee / $30.00
e. Excise Tax **
1). Retail
·  Liquor / $3000.00
·  Beer / $400.00
·  Wine / $400.00
2). Wholesale
·  Liquor / $3500.00
·  Beer / $500.00
·  Wine / $500.00
f. Distiller or Manufacturer / $4000.00

Notes:
*Advertising is arranged by the Alcoholic Beverage License Division. Hearings must be advertised at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing.
** A 3% excise tax is levied on all mixed drinks and is to be reported and paid monthly to Fulton County. An excise tax of .22 per liter on Liquor and Wine and .05 per 12 oz. container of beer is levied and is to be reported and paid monthly to Fulton County by wholesalers.

2.  A Certified Surveyor’s Plat of the area must be submitted with the application showing the straight line distances from the proposed building to the following:

a). Consumption on the Premises – Liquor, Wine, and Malt Beverages:
Nearest Private Residence – Building / 100 feet
Nearest Public Library – Building / 200 feet
Nearest Church Building / 300 feet
Nearest School Property Line / 600 feet
Nearest School Bus Stop / 200 feet
b). Consumption on the Premises – Wine and/or Malt Beverages:
Nearest Private Residence – Building / 100 feet
Nearest Public Library – Building / 200 feet
Nearest Church Building / 300 feet
Nearest School Property Line / 300 feet
Nearest School Bus Stop / 200 feet
c). Wholesale and Retail Liquor
Nearest Private Residence – Building / 100 feet
Nearest Public Library – Building / 200 feet
Nearest Church Building / 300 feet
Nearest School Property Line / 600 feet
Nearest School Bus Stop / 200 feet
d). Wholesale and Retail Wine and Malt Beverage
Nearest Private Residence – Building / 100 feet
Nearest Public Library – Building / 200 feet
Nearest Church Building / 300 feet
Nearest School Property Line / 300 feet
Nearest School Bus Stop / 200 feet

3.  Applicants must report to the Fulton County Police Department for fingerprinting. Forms must be obtained from the Business Tax Division prior to fingerprinting. The Police Department is located at 130 Peachtree Street (next to the Fulton County Administration Building).

4.  A sign meeting the specifications shown below must be posted at least fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing to allow for inspection and insure compliance with the ten (10) day requirement. If the requirement is not met, the hearing will be delayed an additional month.

Suggested wording for the sign:

“I, ______, owner, have made an application to the Board of Commissioners of Fulton County, Georgia for a (Type of License) license located at (Address of Business). Hearing to be held in Assembly Hall, Fulton County Government Center, Wednesday, (Date of Hearing), at 10:00 a.m."

Notify the Alcoholic Beverage License Division when the sign is erected for inspection at (404)730-1681.

Note: This notice shall be painted or printed in black letters, 3 inches or more in height, white background on a metal board sign having a surface of not less than twelve (12) square feet, shall be placed with the foot or bottom of a sign not more than three (3) feet from the ground on the most conspicuous location of the premises facing the most frequently traveled road, or highway abutting same.

**Please allow 6-8 weeks for the completion of the application process.**

Alcoholic Beverage License Renewal and Payments

Alcoholic Beverage License renewal applications and payments are due November 15 of each year. Renewal applications and payments received between November 15 and December 15 are subject to a 10% late filing fee. Businesses failing to renew their alcoholic licenses prior to December 15 must reapply for an alcoholic beverage license.