Liquor Licensing During COVID-19

During these unprecedented times, every aspect of business has been affected. Obtaining a liquor license for either a new facility, transferring a license, or obtaining a license for prospective events has likewise been affected. The following are things businesses may expect:

1. Obtaining a liquor license in Kentucky is a two-step process. First, the Local Alcoholic Beverage Control Office  Administer (“Local ABC”) has to approve the application and then the Kentucky Alcoholic  Beverage Control Office (“State ABC”) will undertake a review. With COVID-19 requiring social distancing, local administrators are most likely working from home or cycling into offices every few days. With these new policies, businesses should expect a delay in responses to inquiries regarding application contents or receiving local approval.

 

2. The State ABC will then undertake its review after the Local ABC has provided their approval. Like other state entities, State ABC administrators are working remotely due to COVID-19.

 

3. Depending on the type of application, Local ABC Administrators may require an inspection of the facility to be licensed. Depending on each locality’s COVID-19 policy, these inspections may be done in a manner which follows social distancing guidelines. For new facilities, the State ABC will also require an enforcement officer to coordinate an inspection. These inspections remain in person while following social distancing guidelines.

 

4. As annual license renewal applications become due, businesses already licensed should ensure that materials and fees are timely submitted. The only “extension” for renewal applications that the State ABC has provided is applicable to licenses which expired on April 30, 2020. Those licenses will remain effective until May 31, 2020.[1]

 

The biggest take away from the above, is that State ABC and Local ABC administrators are conducting business as usual while following Gov. Beshear’s social distancing guidelines and implementing their own work from home or staff reduction policies.