The Liquor Control Division will begin emailing annual renewal notices to permittees beginning January 1, 2022. Notices will be sent to the email address associated with the eLicense account for the credential about a month in advance.

July 2020 Liquor Permit Changes

While the legislature initially consolidated the three club permits (club permit, nonprofit club permit, and golf country club permit) under the café permit in Public Act 19-24, it ultimately reversed that decision in 2021 for all but the golf country club permit.  Both the club permit and the nonprofit club permit were reinstated, and the laws that applied prior to Public Act 19-24 still apply.  For example, those entities holding a “nonprofit club permit” may rent their space to non-members, while those holding a “club permit” may not do so.   These two club permits no longer have to convert to a café permit, and may renew their existing permits annually.  The annual renewal fee for the “LIC-club permit” is $300, while the annual renewal fee for the “LPC-nonprofit club permit” is $815.

On April 24th, 2020, letters were sent to four types of permit holders affected by Public Act 19-24 – An Act Streamlining the Liquor Control Act, which goes into effect on July 1, 2020.  The letters have been sent to businesses that will be reclassified as cafes, hotels, manufacturers and restaurants, and they identify some important information on the law change and the upcoming renewal process into their new permit type.

Updated applications have been added to the Liquor Permit Applications and Forms page in anticipation of the July 1 change. 

Copies of the letters are below:

• Cafe Letter
• Hotel Letter
• Manufacturer Letter
• Restaurant Letter

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I find a copy of Public Act 19-24 – An Act Streamlining the Liquor Control Act?

• Public Act 19-24

2. Which permit types are affected by this Public Act? 

• Several permit types have been repealed and reclassified as other existing permit types. Please refer to the grid below that identifies the current permit types being repealed and their reclassified permit type.

3. My premises has been identified as an affected and repealed permit type.What will be my new renewal fee? Will there be an option to renew for 6 months?

• Please see the below chart that shows your new permit type (identified in question 1) with your new annual renewal fee schedule.Yes, you can request a 6-month renewal.

4. Is there a payment plan with DCP?

• No.If you were identified as a repealed permit type, you will receive detailed instructions on your next renewal notice to renew as your newly identified permit type.You will be required to pay the full new fee. The only exception to this is tavern permits – they were given a four year renewal incremental fee step option in the Public Act.(For more information, see question #11 below.)

5. My permit type has been repealed and reclassified as a café permit.A Café permit is $2000.00 and I’d like to explore obtaining another cheaper permit type available.  What options do I have?

• In order to apply for another permit type, you would have to qualify under its statutory definition, which can be found in Title 30 of the CT General Statutes.If you have any questions as to whether you qualify for that new permit type, contact liquor control directly for clarification.You will have to pay for a new application and apply for the new permit.

6. Can I still use my current permit past July 1, 2020?

• Yes. If your current permit has an expiration date past July 1, 2020, it will be valid until the expiration date.However, at the time of your next renewal, you will be required to renew as the new permit type assigned to you by DCP and your current permit will be discontinued.

7. If I decide not to renew my permit, can I go BYOB and operate without a permit? 

• DCP does not regulate or enforce unlicensed premises. If you are considering this as an option, you should contact your local officials such as the police chief and zoning officer for guidance.

8. My current permit is a Tavern license and I am being reclassified as a regular Café license.What do I need to know?

• At the time of your next renewal, you will be renewing as a café, however, the legislature has created a fee step schedule for you that raises your annual renewal fee incrementally over a period of four years. For year one, the renewal fee is $800, year 2 is $1200, year 3 is $1600 and in year 4, you pay the full $2000.Once you renew as a café, you will be allowed to serve full alcoholic liquor and you must make food available to your customers. Refer to General Statutes § 30-22a(a) for the definition of your permit type.

9. I am a Manufacturer and will be reclassified under a new permit type. What do I need to know?

• The legislature has created four new manufacturer permit types to replace the previous seven permit types: Manufacturer of Spirits (LMS), Manufacturer of Beer (LMB), Manufacturer Farm Winery (LFW), and Manufacturer of Wine, Cider, and Mead (LMW).The definitions of each new permit type have been amended to allow for on-premises consumption, among other privileges.Please note that the Farm Winery premises definitions have not changed.For a complete definition of each new manufacturer permit type, please refer to the Public Act, starting at section 5.

10. My premises have been reclassified and my license definition has changed. Do I need local zoning approval for the new permit type?

• It is also your responsibility as the license holder to comply with your local zoning ordinances, as it relates to the definition of your new licensed premises.DCP will not be asking for verification of this local requirement.

11. I can’t find an answer to my question on this FAQ.Who can I contact?

• Our liquor control staff and agents can be reached at (860) 713-6210 or dcp.liquorcontrol@ct.gov

Due to the high volume of affected licensees, we will do our best to accommodate calls and emails in a timely manner.