7 Steps to Obtaining a Nevada Liquor License

Nevada Liquor License

As a liquor license consultant, your primary role is to help businesses obtain the necessary permits to serve alcohol in Nevada legally.

A Nevada liquor license is a legal document issued by the state that allows a business to sell and serve manufactured, imported, or wholesale alcohol to customers. Businesses that wish to sell alcohol in a retail, bar, or restaurant environment must receive a retail liquor license from the county or city it is located in.

In Nevada, all establishments that intend to sell and serve alcohol must obtain a liquor license from the Nevada Department of Taxation. This includes bars, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, and other establishments that want to offer alcoholic beverages to their customers.

Getting a liquor license can be a complicated and time-consuming process involving jumping through many hoops and complying with many state and local regulations. That’s where a liquor license consultant comes in – your purpose is to help businesses navigate the process and ensure they follow all the necessary guidelines.

To help your clients acquire a liquor license efficiently and effectively, you must first learn the ins and outs of applying for a liquor license in Nevada.

Here are seven steps you must take to successfully guide your clients through the process of applying for a liquor license in Nevada:

1. Determine the Type of Liquor License Required

Nevada has two different types of liquor licenses: The Importer/Wholesaler License and the Manufacturer License. For businesses that intend to sell alcohol directly to consumers, like bars, restaurants, or retail stores, it is required to receive licensing through the city or county rather than the state.

Before moving forward with your client’s liquor license application, it’s crucial to determine which type of license is best suited for their business. Getting the wrong type of license can cause all sorts of problems down the line, which is why this step is so important.

2. Understand the Licensing Requirements

Once you have determined the type of liquor license required for your client, it is essential to understand the requirements to obtain the liquor license. These requirements can include meeting zoning regulations, having a valid business license, and ensuring that the business meets health and safety standards. In Nevada, these requirements can vary from city to city, so it can be useful to check the client’s local ordinances when determining what rules must be followed to gain a license.

3. Gather Necessary Documents

The application process requires several documents, including a completed liquor license application, a Nevada business registration form, a business tax permit, a copy of the permit issued by the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), and a copy of the fictitious firm name certificate (if applicable).

Collect all the necessary documents, then ensure that they are completed thoroughly and accurately. Any missing forms or information could result in the rejection of the application.

4. Submit Application

After completing the application and gathering all the necessary documents, your client’s liquor license application can be submitted to the Nevada Department of Taxation, either by mail, in-person, or online. The department will review the application and supporting documents before granting or denying the liquor license to your client’s business.

Pages 1-3 of the application must be sent to the Incorporated City’s Governing Board for review if the location of the business operations is in one of these cities:

Boulder City, Caliente, Carlin, Carson City, Elko, Ely, Fallon, Fernley, Henderson, Las Vegas, Lovelock, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Reno, Sparks, Wells, West Wendover, Winnemucca or Yerington.

5. Pay Fees

There are several fees associated with applying for a Nevada liquor license, including application fees, annual fees, and fees for special permits.

These fees will vary depending on if your client is applying for an Importer/Wholesaler License or a Manufacturer License. Businesses applying for a retail liquor license will often face higher fees that vary in each city and county.

Annual fees must be paid each year by July 1^st. Ensure that all fees always are paid in a timely manner. If fees are not received by July 15^th, the license will be canceled. The fee amounts for a Nevada liquor license are listed below in the FAQs section.

6. Purchase a Bond

Businesses applying for a liquor license in Nevada are required to obtain an Original Liquor Surety Bond, which acts as insurance in case the business violates any liquor laws or regulations. This bond is also used to ensure all liquor sales taxes are paid.

Work with a licensed surety bond provider to purchase a bond for your client’s Nevada liquor license application.

The purchase of a bond typically involves a payment of 1% to 15% of the bond’s total, depending on your client’s credit score.

Here are the bond requirements based on the type of business your client has:

Importer and/or Wholesaler Bond:

• • Beer only – $10,000.00

• • Wine, Beer & Spirits – $50,000.00
    
    

Manufacturer Bond:

• • Brew Pub – $ 1,000.00

• • Brewer – $ 1,000.00

• • Winemaker – $ 1,000.00

• • Rectifier – $ 50,000
    
    

7. Obtain your Liquor License

After completing all the necessary steps, the business will receive the Nevada liquor license from the Department of Taxation if its application has been approved.

Once a business is licensed, it is essential to display the license prominently to avoid any penalties for serving alcohol without a valid permit. Paying the liquor license fees annually is mandatory in order to keep the license valid each year.

By following these seven steps, you can help your clients easily navigate the process of applying for a liquor license in Nevada. Remember, each step is important, and any mistakes can delay the process or even result in the denial of the liquor license.