Liquor Off-Premises Applications

Off Premises Liquor Permits

What is an off-premises permit?

Off-premise liquor permits allows your business to sell alcoholic beverages to customers that they drink away from your business.  This permit does not allow your customers to drink inside your premises at all. We have four types of off-premises permits: package store permit, grocery store beer permit, gift basket retailer, and druggist/pharmacy permit.  (Note: These permits are intended for businesses; if you are a nonprofit or other noncommercial entity needing a permit for a fundraising event or auction, please visit our information page for the temporary noncommercial permit.)

Do I need an off-premises permit?

Yes, you must have a permit if you want to sell beer, hard cider, wine, or spirits to your customers for consumption off the premises.  It is a criminal offense to sell alcoholic beverages without a permit. 

Permit Types

These materials will help you select which off-premises permit suits your business best and provide more information about each permit.

Permit Quiz

Take our permit selector quiz.  We guide you through on and off -premises permits to help you select the right permit for your business.

Permit Guides

The below guides are for our most popular permits.  These guides discuss topics like: hours of sale, what kind of activities are allowed on the premise, and what obligations permittees have to keep their permits in good standing.

• Package Store
• Grocery Store
• Off-Premise Caterer
• Gift Basket Retailer (coming soon) 

Exclusion Grid

If an individual member of your business holds a permit, they may be forbidden from holding another type of permit by law.  This spreadsheet lists all our permits and identifies with an X what other permit types you can hold at the same time.

Permit List

Below is a list that briefly summarizes permits, and what each allows and special application requirements.

Application Process

What is the application process for an off-premises permit?

Applying for a permit is a multi-step process, but the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is here to answer your questions and provide the forms, information, and assistance you need.  

Below is a brief overview the steps in the application process:

1. Decide what permit you need:  Review the permit guides and permit overview list on this webpage, or take our permit identifier quiz to help guide you to the appropriate permit. 
2. Begin an on-line application:  Create an e-License account and start an on-line application for an "OFF-Premise Permit (LIQ-OFF)."  Fill out the application and upload the documents required.  (Our application instructions contain more information about what documents are necessary.)  You will need to obtain signatures from your local town clerk, zoning officer, fire marshal, and health department as part of your application.
3. Submit the application:  After completing the on-line application, you will submit it and pay the $100 non-refundable application fee. 
4. DCP review and permit fee: Your application will be reviewed by DCP staff for completeness.  If there are any issues with your application or the documents submitted, you’ll receive a notice that explains what needs to be fixed. DCP staff will also email you the invoice for your permit fee. 
5. Placard and Publication Notice:  Once your application is deemed complete, DCP will email you a template for a placard and a publication notice.  You must have a placard made that you will post on the curb outside your premises, and you will submit the publication notice to a newspaper that circulates in the same town as your business.  It takes about two months to fully complete these steps.  These two items notify the public that a liquor permit is pending at your business; members of the public have the right to object to your liquor license. 
6. Provisional permit:  If you wish to operate with a provisional license, your application will next be submitted for provisional approval by the Liquor Control Commission or their designee.  You may use the provisional permit even if your placard and publication notice are not yet completed.  If approved, you will be sent a provisional license and may now begin selling and serving alcohol on a provisional basis.  If your provisional permit is not approved for any reason, a Liquor Control Agent will be assigned to help you address any concerns.  (Note that a provisional permit is optional; you do not need a provisional permit.)
7. Liquor Agent review and inspection: A Liquor Control Agent will be assigned to review your application in depth and check for any issues.  The Agent will also schedule a time to meet with the permittee and inspect the premises, and will check that your placard and publication notice were done correctly. 
8. Final approval:  Once the Liquor Control Agent determines that your application is complete and your premises is ready for a permit, your application will be submitted to the Liquor Control Commission or their designee for approval.  If approved, you will receive your permit and can begin to sell and serve alcohol (or continue to serve alcohol if you had a provisional permit already.)  If not approved for any reason, your application will be scheduled for an administrative hearing before the Liquor Control Commission.

How long does the application process take?

It takes DCP about 3 to 4 weeks from receipt of a completed application to issue a provisional permit.  It takes DCP about 3 months to issue a final permit.  Any issues with incomplete applications or not completing the placard and publication notice correctly results in delays. 

How much does a permit cost?

The cost depends on the type of permit you want.  All fees below include a $100 nonrefundable application fee.

Can I hold more than one permit at a time?

If an individual member of your business holds a permit, they may be forbidden from holding another type of permit.  Please review our Exclusion Grid that lists all our permits and identifies what other permit types you can hold at the same time.  An “X” indicates that you may hold both at the same time.

Additionally, there are limits to the number of package store permits any person may hold at the same time.  No person and no backer may hold more than six package store permits or druggist permits at the same time.  A person is deemed to have an interest in a package store if:

·       The person directly owns the interest;

·       The person’s spouse, child, or partner own the interest; or

·       An estate, trust, or corporation controlled by the person, spouse, child or partner own the interest.

Forms & Instructions

You must apply online.  You may look at an historical copy of our paper applications and instructions to get a general idea of the information and documentation necessary to complete an online application, however do not submit the paper application.

• Grocery Store Beer Application  (Instructions)
• Gift Basket Retailer Application(Instructions)
• Off-Premise Caterer
• Package Store Application  (Instructions)
  o   IMPORTANT: Package store permits are limited by town.  Please review our package store roster, which is updated every night, to determine whether a permit is available in your desired town. 

You may be required to submit some of the below forms as part of your application.  Below is a description of common forms and when they are required.  If a form is marked with an asterisk(*), then it is always required.