Types of Liquor Licenses in Florida

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In Florida, companies or organizations that wish to sell, distribute, manufacture or serve alcohol must have a permit to do so. At Sawan & Sawan, our liquor license attorneys help a variety of businesses navigate the often complicated process of securing a liquor license from the State of Florida. The application process in Florida can be highly technical. Hiring a Florida liquor license attorney familiar with these laws can help you and your business ensure that you have been fully advised on all relevant information.

Every state in the country has an alcohol beverage control agency that regulates the manufacturing, wholesale distribution and retail sale of alcoholic beverages. There are no unrestricted free markets for alcohol sales in any state. In Florida, the Division of Business & Professional Regulation is responsible for controlling the manufacture, distribution, licensing, regulation, and merchandising of beer, wine, mixed beverages, and spirituous liquor. In Florida, alcohol sales and production permits are broken into a variety of “classes”- each of which provide a different set of privileges to either manufacture, distribute or sell alcoholic beverages. These classes are as follows:

Florida Liquor License Types

Permits to Sell Alcoholic Beverages in Florida

Permit Name	Type/Class	Description	Permit Fee
1APS	D	Beer for sale in sealed containers and for consumption off premises only. Restricted to products with no more than 6.243% of alcohol by volume or 5% by weight.	$28-$140 (Varies by County Population)
2APS	D	Beer and Wine for sale in sealed containers and for consumption off premises only. Restricted to products with no more than 6.243% of alcohol by volume or 5% by weight.	$86-$196 (Varies by County Population)
1COP	D	Beer for sale by the drink (consumption on premises) or in sealed containers for package sales. Restricted to products with no more than 6.243% alcohol by volume or 5% by weight.	$56 – $280 (Varies by County Population)
2COP	D	Beer and Wine for sale by the drink (consumption on premises) or in sealed containers for package sales. Restricted to products with no more than 6.243% alcohol by volume or 5% by weight.	$168 – $392 (Varies by County Population)
3DPS / 3CPS / 3BPS / 3APS / 3PS	Quota	Beer, Wine, and Liquor; package sales only in sealed containers. No sales by the drink or consumption on premises.	$468 – $1365 (Varies by County Population)
8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	Quota	Beer, Wine, and Liquor; sale by the drink for consumption on premises and package sales in sealed containers.	$624 – $1820 (Varies by County Population)

Alcohol Manufacturers Licenses/Permits in Florida

Permit Name	Type/Class	Description	Permit Fee
Wine Makers	AMW	Engaged in manufacturing or bottling Wine	$1,000
Wine Makers – Cordials	BMWC	Engaged in manufacturing of Wines and Cordials.	$2,000
Malt Beverages	CMB	Manufacturer engaged in brewing malt beverages	$3,000
Liquor Distillers	DD	A Distiller of spirituous liquor.	$4,000
Blended Liquors	ERB	In business of rectifying and blending spirituous beverages	$4,000

Alcohol Distributor Licenses/Permits in Florida

Permit Name	Type/Class	Description	Permit Fee
Low Alcohol Distributor – Dry Counties	EDB	Distributes alcoholic beverages containing no more than 3.2% of alcohol by weight in dry counties.	$1,250
Distributor – Wine, Spirits and Malt Beverages	KLD	Distributes spirituous, vinous, and malt beverages to vendors and distributors.	$4,000
Distributor to Distributor	JDBW	Distributes beer and/or wine to vendors and other distributors.	$1,250
Alcohol Importers	IMPR	Licensed to sell, or cause to be sold, shipped and invoiced, domestic and foreign alcoholic beverages to licensed manufacturers, distributors and no one else in the state.	$500
Alcohol Exporters	MEXP	Any person who sells alcoholic beverages to persons for use outside the state and includes a ship’s chandler and a duty free shop	—

Special Alcohol Licenses/Permits in Florida

Permit Name	Type/Class	Description	Permit Fee
Special Hospital (4COP)	H	Beer, Wine, and Liquor, sales to patients only. Sarasota County Public Hospital Board only. No annual fee. See special act for requirements.	No Annual Fee
Special Horse Breeders 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	HBX	Beer, Wine, and Liquor, consumption on premises only. Issued to any marketing association of horse breeders organized under the laws of the state. Additional requirements to be met.	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Special Hotel (8COP and 7COP)	SH	Beer, Wine, and Liquor in counties having a population of 50,000 or less; sale by the drink for consumption on premises and package sales in sealed containers	$624 – $858
Special Motel / Hotel 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	S	Beer, Wine, and Liquor in connection with operation of hotel, motel, motor court or condominium; sale by the drink for consumption on premises and package sales in sealed containers. Motel or hotel must be operating and maintaining the required number of rental rooms. License cannot move to a new location	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Special Restaurant (pre-1958) 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	SR	Beer, Wine, and Liquor in connection with operation of a restaurant; sale by the drink for consumption on premises and package sales in sealed containers. Must have 4,000 square feet of floor space and be able to seat 200 patrons at tables. Sale of alcoholic beverages prohibited when food service not available. License cannot move to a new location.	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Special Restaurant 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	SRX	Beer, Wine, and Liquor in connection with a restaurant; consumption on premises only. May only have spirituous beverages (liquor) in quarts, fifths or miniatures. Must meet certain requirements as to the number of seats, square footage, etc. Sale of alcoholic beverage prohibited when food service not available. License cannot be moved to a new location.	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Special Bowling Alley 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	SBX	Beer, Wine, and Liquor; consumption on premises by the drink only. Must meet requirements of 12 or more lanes and all necessary equipment to operate them. License cannot be moved to a new location.	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Special Boats 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	SPX	Beer, Wine, and Liquor, consumption on premises only. Pleasure, excursion, sight seeing or charter boat meeting special requirements.	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Special Boats 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	SPXE	Beer, Wine, and Liquor, consumption on premises only. Pleasure, excursion, sight seeing or charter boat meeting special requirements	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Special Airport 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	SAL	Beer, Wine, and Liquor for consumption on premises only at publicly owned or operated airport.	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Special Civic Center 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	SCX	Beer, Wine, and Liquor for consumption on premises only; license issued to Civic Center authority authorized by state law or local government ordinance.	$250
Special County Commissioner 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	SCC	Beer, Wine, and Liquor for consumption on premises only; license issued to county commissioners for facilities which are owned and operated by the county.	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Special Act 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	SA	Beer, Wine, and Liquor for consumption on the premises only. See Special Acts for specifics.	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Special Act 8COP / 7COP / 6COP / 5COP / 4COP	SAX	Beer, Wine, and Liquor for consumption on the premises only. MAY NOT MOVE FROM THE ORIGINAL LOCATION. See Special Acts for specific requirements.	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population
3M License	3M	Required for spirituous alcoholic beverage vendors operating a place of business where consumption on the premises is permitted and which has more than three separate rooms or enclosures in which permanent bars or counters are located from which alcoholic beverages are served for consumption on the licensed premises.	$1,000
Theme Parks	3M	Required for Theme Park operators having a place of business where consumption on the premises is permitted and which has bars from which alcoholic beverages are served for consumption on the licensed premises	$1,500 – $3,500 (Varies by Number of Bars)
Club	11CX	Can only be issued to a Golf Club (11CG or 11CG PC) license holder. May operate service or portable bars on contiguous property	$100
Golf Club License	GC	Additional license issued to golf clubs which are ineligible for an 11CG or 11CG PC license. Authorizes service of alcoholic beverages allowed by parent license at various points of sale on the licensed premises.	$100
Small Brewery License	CMBP	Manufacturer engaged in the business of brewing less than 10,000 kegs of malt beverage annually; for consumption on premises only. Issued in connection with consumption on premises retail license.	$500
Symphony Orchestra License	11PA	Beer, Wine, and Liquor; Consumption on Premises only. A state- chartered legal entity not-for-profit organized for the purpose of operating a theater with live performances and not fewer than 100 seats.	$400
Performing Arts Center	11PA	Beer, Wine, and Liquor; Consumption on Premises only. Facility consisting of not less than 200 seats, owned and operated by a not-for- profit corporation qualified under the provisions of s. 501(c)(3), which is used and occupied to promote development of any or all of the performing, visual, or fine arts. Consumption on Premises only may occur only in conjunction with an artistic, educational, cultural, promotional, civic, or charitable event, except as part of food and beverage service for banquets or receptions.	$400
Special Public Fair / Expositions	FEX	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Consumption on premises only. License may be used only in connection with special events held on the premises of the fairground	$250
Membership Club	11C	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Issued to bona fide clubs for consumption on premises by the drink for members and members’ guests only. No package sales allowed. Unless otherwise noted, must be in continuous active existence and operation for a period of two years in the county where it exists.	$400
Lodges or Clubs of National and Fraternal or Benevolent Associations	11C	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Special requirements must be met. Consumption on premises only. May not increase in series to an 11CS. Need not be in continuous active existence for two years in the county location.	$400
Social Clubs, Clubs devoted to community and governmental development	11C	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Issued to bona fide clubs for sale by the drink for consumption on premises only, for members and members’ guests. No package sales allowed. Must be in continuous active existence and operation for a period of not less than two years in the county where it exists.	$400
Clubs promoting showmen and amusement enterprises	11C	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Issued to bona fide clubs for sale by the drink for consumption on premises only, for members and members’ guests. No package sales allowed. Must be in continuous active existence and operation for a period of not less than two years in the county where it exists.	$400
Clubs assisting National fraternal or benevolent associations	11C	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Issued to bona fide clubs for sale by the drink for consumption on premises only, for members and members’ guests. No package sales allowed. Must be in continuous active existence and operation for a period of not less than two years in the county where it exists.	$400
Clubs promoting cultural relations of people of the same nationality	11C	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Issued to bona fide clubs for sale by the drink for consumption on premises only, for members and members’ guests. No package sales allowed. Must be in continuous active existence and operation for a period of not less than two years in the county where it exists.	$400
Tennis or Racquetball Club	11C	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Issued to bona fide clubs for sale by the drink for consumption on premises only, for members and members’ guests. No package sales allowed. Bona fide tennis club or four-walled indoor racquetball club having no fewer than 10 regulation-size tennis courts; or no fewer than 10 regulation-size four-wall indoor racquetball courts; or a combination of regulation-size tennis courts and regulation-size four-wall indoor racquetball courts totaling in the aggregate not fewer than 10 courts; or a combination of 8 regulation-size tennis courts and regulation- size four-wall indoor racquetball courts and exercise facilities which in square footage total not fewer than the aggregate square foot equivalent of 10 regulation-size courts. Must have clubhouse facilities, pro shop, locker rooms, and attendant tennis or racquetball facilities, all located on a contiguous tract of land owned or leased by the club.	$400
Cabana or Beach Club	11C	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Must own or lease and maintain a bona fide beach or cabana club consisting of beach facilities, swimming pool, locker rooms with facilities for at least 100 persons, and a restaurant with seats at tables for at least 100 persons, comprising in all an area of at least 5,000 square feet located on a contiguous tract of land of in excess of 1 acre.	$400
Club (Hillsborough County)	11CS	Beer, Wine, and Liquor; Special club license issued in Hillsborough County; cannot be moved to a new location; not transferable; consumption on premises onl	$1750
American Legion Clubs	11AL	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Issued to American Legion Post in Florida chartered prior to September 16, 1919. Sales may be made to resident guests as well as members and nonresident guests for consumption on the premises only. Revenue generated from the sale of alcoholic beverages which exceeds the cost of operation must be donated to a local non-profit charitable organization on an annual basis.	$500
Private Golf Clubs	11CG	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Standard Golf Course consisting of at least 9 holes, clubhouse, locker rooms and attendant golf facilities, comprising at least 35 acres. Sales may be made to members and nonresident guests only. Consumption on the premises only.	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Public Golf Clubs	11CG	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. Standard Golf Course open to the general public consisting of at least 9 holes, clubhouse, locker rooms and attendant golf facilities, comprising at least 35 acres. Sales may be made for consumption on the premises only.	$624-$1820 (Varies by County Population)
Race Track Caterer at Dog and Horse Tracks	12RT	Beer, Wine, and Liquor for consumption on premises by the drink only. Package sales not allowed. May only have spirituous beverages (liquor) in quarts, fifths, or miniatures. Alcoholic beverage sales allowed only 10 days before to 10 days after approved racing or Jai Alai dates. If the caterer is also licensed under 551.119, the facility may serve alcohol any day it is open for slot machine play.	$675
Temporary Permit	ODP	Beer, Wine, and Liquor. A bona fide non-profit civic organization may apply for sale of alcoholic beverages on premises for a period not to exceed 3 days; no more than 3 permits per calendar year.	$25
Special Sales License	SSL	Beer, Wine, and Liquor; package sales only, special license issued for the purpose of a bulk transfer pursuant to Chapter 676; sale pursuant to levy and execution; sale by an insurance company in possession of alcoholic beverages; bankruptcy sales; sale due to license suspension or revocation; sale of damaged goods by a common carrier; sale by a bona fide Wine, collector; sale of packaged alcoholic beverages pursuant to Part 5 of Chapter 679. Valid for three (3) days only.	$25