Acquiring an Alcohol Permit
The first step in acquiring an alcoholic beverage permit is to determine what type of permit you are seeking. A complete list of permit types can be found on the ATC Fee Schedule. Once you know the type of permit you are seeking to obtain, the next step is to determine whether the permit type you are seeking is available in the local jurisdiction for which it will be issued. Retailer permits (i.e., permits issued for the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises) and dealer permits (i.e., permits issued for the consumption of alcoholic beverages off the licensed premises), including package liquor store permits, are generally limited by the quota provisions set forth in IC 7.1-3-22. Permit quotas are determined by the population size in each jurisdiction and are recalculated every ten (10) years following the results of the decennial census conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Once you have determined the type of permit you wish to apply for, you can visit the ATC Online Application Portal to determine if a permit is available and start the application process. During the online application process, permit availability is automatically checked once the jurisdiction information is provided. If there is a quota for the type of permit being applied for and the permit quota is currently full, you will be unable to apply for that particular permit type in that jurisdiction. More often than not, most permit quotas are full for jurisdictions within city limits (i.e., incorporated areas). If a permit quota is full, the only other options to acquire an alcohol permit are to: 1) obtain a new permit at a permit auction conducted by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission; or 2) purchase a permit from an existing permit holder who wishes to sell their permit. For more information about ATC permit auctions, visit the ATC Permit Auction page.
Permit Application Process
Once an application for a permit has been submitted, the application process for a new permit may take as long as 10-12 weeks, and the application process for a permit renewal may take up to 8-10 weeks. Among other things, the permit application process consists of the following:
- Submitting the application form(s), fee(s), and any other required documentation
- Appearing before the local alcoholic beverage board in the county for which the permit is to be issued
- Consideration of the local board's recommendation by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission
- A final floor plan inspection of the licensed premises by the Indiana State Excise Police
An overview of the complete permit application process can be viewed by clicking here.