December 2012
As 2012 comes to a close, it’s time for businesses and non-profit organizations to start thinking about their charitable events for next year. Special events where alcohol will be sold require advanced planning to make sure they are (or they’re) done correctly. Retail businesses can benefit and help their communities by raising funds for local charities at the same time. We have a knowledgeable staff with many years of experience ready and willing to provide assistance getting the right temporary liquor permits for these events.
Temporary permits are issued year round, but the busy season starts early in the year. There are nine different temporary permit classes and it’s sometimes difficult to figure out which one fits a particular situation. It takes time for us to review and process the large volume of applications we receive. In Fiscal Year 2012, the Division issued 6,249 temporary permits. So, the first thing to know: file applications at least 30 days prior to the event date.
As businesses owners and operators, you are an integral part of the community. You don’t have to be a not-for-profit organization to be part of an event to help your local charities. While you can’t temporarily expand your retail permit premises, you can allow charitable events to use your parking lot. Just make sure the boundaries for the temporary permit are clearly defined to ensure that no alcoholic beverages are carried between your premises and the temporary permit area. Most of these events use an F or F-2 temporary permits. The alcohol sales are conducted by the non-profit organization, but the retail permit holder can sell food, provide staff and other services to the event.
Another great way to support local charities is to partner with a not-for-profit organization and file jointly for the F-2 permit. Holders of a D-3, D-4 or D-5 permit may host an event at their permit premises and help conduct alcohol sales. The most important point to remember: when a permit is issued jointly, and the event is on the premises of the issued permit, the retail permit holder must suspend its alcohol sales for that portion of the premises while the F-2 permit is in effect. The temporary permit holder must buy the alcohol from a licensed manufacturer or wholesale distributor.
The Division often conducts compliance checks and citations may be issued for violations which could affect your permit and an organization’s reputation, including the ability to obtain temporary permits for future events. If you’re unsure of how certain regulations apply to your event or business, please contact the Division for guidance.
The best advice is to follow the instructions carefully and complete each section of the application. If you’re unsure about the type of permit needed, please contact the Division and let us help you make your event a success. Applications are available on the Division’s website at www.com.ohio.gov/liqr. You can also now follow the Division of Liquor Control on Twitter@ohioliquor.