Several steps must be taken to obtain a Dallas, TX, alcohol permit. These include determining which type of license or permit is required, meeting TABC standards, and ensuring all forms are completed correctly.
Working with a TABC attorney who can provide hands-on representation and solid legal advice is best. This will help ensure your business meets all state and local requirements and avoids unexpected pitfalls.
Temporary Permits
Anyone wishing to manufacture, sell, or serve alcohol in Texas must have the correct permits. The TABC manages the licensing, distribution, and production of alcoholic beverages across the state.
The process on how to get an alcohol permit in Dallas TX is lengthy and requires substantial documentation. Some of the main requirements include proof of citizenship and verification that the location where the business intends to operate is fit for the type of permit sought. Other requirements may include the fact that the applicant must not have a history of criminal convictions associated with moral turpitude and that they meet any city ordinances or zoning restrictions that apply.
In addition to the requirements above, applicants must also ensure that they understand how and where the liquor sold is consumed. This will help them determine the correct license needed. For example, a bar or restaurant will need an on-license, while a store or grocery shop will need an off-license.
Alcohol Delivery Permits
For those who want to offer alcohol delivery, you’ll need a Consumer Delivery Permit. This allows retailers (and their delivery drivers) to deliver alcoholic beverages sold on their premises to customers within two miles of the corporate limits. This permit also authorizes the holder to transport alcohol between their other licensed locations and conduct product tastings at these sites.
As with a license to sell alcohol at a bar or restaurant, this type of permit requires that you have seller server training and refuse service to minors and intoxicated people. Additionally, you’ll have to pass a background check and no recent convictions for moral turpitude.
Texans now have another way to order drinks—third-party delivery services like Instacart and Favor can pick up alcohol from a TABC-licensed business, such as a bar or restaurant, and bring it to your door. These drivers must confirm the legal age of the person they’re delivering for by either swiping a driver’s license or visually checking that they meet minimum age requirements.
Certificate of Occupancy
A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is a document from your municipality that proves a building is up to code and ready for habitation. COs are typically required after new construction, significant renovations, or a change in the use of a property. They also must be obtained before utilities can be turned on.
Obtaining a CO can involve extensive paperwork and multiple steps, and the process can vary widely by municipality. You should contact your local zoning or building department to learn more about what’s involved.
If a CO is issued later, an inspector will likely provide a list of items that must be addressed to bring the building up to code. You can then apply for a temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO), generally valid for 90 days. At LicenseSuite, we make obtaining a CO as straightforward and seamless as possible. We’re here to help you stay compliant, get your CO faster, and save time.
Alcohol Licenses
Each state has its alcohol control agency for licensing, distribution, and production. In Texas, it is the TABC.
Whether you are a retailer, manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler, a process must be followed for each TABC license or permit type. Getting the right one for your business will depend on what you want to do and your location.
Before you apply, it is essential to know that the TABC will do a background check of you and your business to ensure no red flags. This will include providing the business won’t be a public nuisance and will not contradict zoning laws.
It is also important to note that the TABC will require you to have certain documents, including ownership documentation, building details, and tax ID numbers. It is essential to fill out all of the forms correctly and comply with any city or county rules.