How Long Does It Take to Get a Liquor License in Pennsylvania?

Apr 20, 2023

Obtaining a liquor license in Pennsylvania can be an intimidating and time-consuming process. With the various regulations, paperwork, fees, and deadlines to consider, it’s no wonder so many people struggle with getting their liquor license approved. Unfortunately, navigating this process is often necessary for businesses that want to serve alcohol legally in the state of Pennsylvania.

At Scaringi Law, we understand how frustrating it can be to try and obtain a liquor license on your own. We are dedicated to helping our clients through every step of this complex legal process, so they don’t have to go it alone. Our experienced attorneys know all the ins and outs of obtaining a liquor license in Pennsylvania and will work tirelessly on your behalf until you get the results you need.

So, how long does it take to get a liquor license in Pennsylvania? Well, the answer depends on several factors including where your business is located and what type of liquor license you need. Typically, it can take anywhere from two months to six months or longer to receive approval for a liquor license. The time frame also varies depending on the particular county in which you are applying and whether or not there are any objections by local residents related to the application.

Types of Liquor Licenses

Obtaining a liquor license in Pennsylvania can be a daunting process, but with the right guidance, it doesn’t have to be. There are several different types of liquor licenses available in Pennsylvania that businesses may need depending on their operations. Understanding the differences between these licenses is essential for successful application.

Liquor licenses in Pennsylvania include the following:

Restaurant (R) Liquor License: Allows restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores to sell alcohol to their customers. It grants the holder the ability to serve beer, wine, and spirits for on-premise consumption in an area designated by the license holder. This type of license requires that the business have a seating capacity of at least 30 people and maintain a food service area. Alcohol sales can be conducted from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Saturday.
Eating Place (E) Liquor License: Also referred to as "delicatessen" or "corner store" licenses. Permits the sale of malt and brewed beverages for on-premise consumption. The holder of an Eating Place (E) Liquor License must still maintain a seating capacity of at least 30 people, a functioning kitchen or food prep area, and a food service area. Beer sales can be conducted from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Saturday.
Hotel (H) Liquor License: Allows hotels, resorts, and motels to serve alcoholic beverages on the premises. This type of license permits the sale of beer, wine and spirits for on-premise consumption in areas designated by the licensee. Hotels must have at least 50 sleeping rooms to qualify for a Hotel Liquor License. Furthermore, they must maintain a seating capacity of at least 30 people, a functioning kitchen or food prep area, and a food service area. Alcohol sales can be conducted from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Saturday.
Sunday Sales (SS) Permit: The Sunday Sales (SS) Permit allows businesses that already have a valid liquor license to serve alcohol on Sundays for on-premise consumption. This type of permit is especially useful for establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and bars. To qualify for this permit, businesses must have a valid liquor license in good standing and sell a minimum of 40% food and non-alcoholic beverages on an annual basis. Alcohol sales can be conducted with this permit from 11 a.m. on Sunday to 2 a.m. on Monday.
Club (C) and Catering Club (CC) Liquor License: The Club (C) and Catering Club (CC) Liquor Licenses are two types of licenses that allow clubs and catering establishments to serve alcohol to their members. With a Club (C) Liquor License, clubs can serve beer, wine, and spirits to their members for on-premise consumption in areas designated by the licensee. Meanwhile, a Catering Club (CC) Liquor License permits catering establishments to provide alcoholic beverages at events including weddings, reunions, or other special occasions taking place away from their normal business location. Alcohol sales can be conducted with these licenses from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m., 7 days a week.

No matter what type of liquor license you need in Pennsylvania, Scaringi Law can help you through every step of the application process. Our experienced attorneys are knowledgeable about all regulations related to liquor licensing in the state and will work hard to make sure your application is complete and accurate before submission so you can get your business up and running as quickly as possible.

Navigating the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB)

Obtaining a liquor license in Pennsylvania can be a long and tedious process for business owners. To ensure that the entire process goes as smoothly as possible, it’s important to understand all the requirements set by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). The PLCB is responsible for issuing, denying, and renewing all liquor licenses in the state and requires that each applicant follows a set of regulations.

Here are some key points to consider when navigating the PLCB:

Documentation: To apply for a liquor license, you must submit an application along with any supporting documents required by the PLCB. This includes documentation such as proof of ownership or occupancy of premises, zoning approval from local municipality, submission of menus and alcohol prices, letters of consent from neighbors, financial statements and more.
Fees: Depending on what type of license you are applying for and where your business is located, there may be several fees associated with obtaining a liquor license. These fees vary according to supply and demand, but they can range from $15,000-$500,000. It’s important to note that additional fees may be assessed if you are applying for more than one location or permit.
Deadlines: Each county has their own set deadlines so it’s important to check with your local municipality before submitting your application. Once submitted, applications typically take anywhere from two months to six months or longer depending on the county or municipality in question. Additionally, if an objection is filed against your application, it could potentially delay the approval process even further.

At Scaringi Law we understand how intimidating this process can be and are dedicated to making sure that our clients get the best results possible. From helping you understand every step in detail to ensure accuracy in the preparation and submission of your application – our attorneys will work tirelessly on your behalf until all requirements have been met and you get the results you need!

How Scaringi Law Can Help You Successfully Obtain a Liquor License

Navigating the liquor licensing process in Pennsylvania can be a daunting task, even for experienced business owners. With so many regulations and requirements to consider, it’s no wonder why some people struggle with obtaining their licenses. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this process alone. At Scaringi Law we are dedicated to helping our clients get the results they need by providing expert guidance every step of the way. Ultimately, our goal is to make sure that your application is complete and accurate before submitting it for approval so you can get your business up and running as quickly as possible.

If you are seeking a liquor license for your business, contact us online or call us at (717) 775-7195 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced liquor license attorneys.

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