North carolina liquor license legal

Some being to the point of prohibition. The use of a false ID to buy alcohol is a crime. It is also illegal for those under 21 to drive with any alcohol in their blood.

The only legal blood alcohol concentration BAC for them is 0. North Carolina alcohol laws make no exceptions for consuming alcohol under age Nor may a doctor prescribe meds containing alcohol. Or wine with Seder. There are no exceptions for religion. This seems to violate freedom of religion. That is a right guaranteed by the US Constitution. That includes adults 18, 19, and There are no exceptions.

Retailers may sell or serve alcohol between 7 a. Mondays through Saturdays. They may only sell or serve it after noon on Sundays. However, some counties and towns further restrict Sunday sales.

Helping anyone under 21 obtain alcohol is also illegal. This includes buying or giving them alcohol, or lending an ID so they can buy it. Nor may parents, ministers, doctors give or administer even a tiny amount of alcohol for any reason. Keep in mind that many meds as well as foods contain alcohol. Customers may only receive one drink at a time. The only exception is a boiler maker. Only two or more customers may buy a pitcher of beer. However, one customer may buy one bottle of wine.

And a customer may re-cap a partially consumed bottle of wine and take it from the premises. The judge sets the amount of the fine and also the jail time. It may be up to 45 days. North Carolina alcohol laws prohibit driving while impaired DWI. People are driving with impairment if their BAC is 0.

For those under age 21, any measurable alcohol is DWI. Virtually all other states set DWI for those under at 0. They do this for several reasons. One is that alcohol breath testers are unreliable.

They only estimate it. Finally, as noted above, many meds and foods contain alcohol. Even bread does. So setting the level at 0. Nevertheless, drivers under 21 with any measurable alcohol are penalized with license suspension. Of course, they may be completely innocent. The judge decides what other penalties to impose. Typically these are fines, court costs and community service.

After all, it simply takes the belief of an officer tat a driver is impaired. North Carolina DWI offenses fall into six levels. They increase in severity from Level 5 up to Aggravated Level 1. The judge alone decides into which category a DWI charge falls. Factors may include the BAC level, age, current driving record, demeanor, and other facts. Or for a later offense within seven years.

All drivers have a U. Constitutional right to decline submitting to a chemical test. However, North Carolina punishes those who use their right. They receive license suspension for one year and 30 days. That is, the the suspension is one year longer than if the person plead guilty to DWI. However, there is no legal penalty for refusing to take a field sobriety test. The scoring are highly subjective and they are highly unreliable.

For example, about one-third of completely sober people fail to pass them. That is, about one in three people with zero alcohol BAC 0.

For that reason, lawyers strongly urge drivers never to take one. Police often insist that the law requires it. But no law in any state does. A traffic stop for suspected DWI is a criminal investigation. So if you are a suspect in a DWI, the officer is never your friend or ally. At best, a DWI can cost thousands of dollars, eliminate personal freedom, and damage a good reputation. At worst, it cause serious injury or even death. Technically, the state issues liquor permits and city and county governments issue local liquor licenses.

In casual conversation, "permit" and "license" may be used interchangeably. The cost of your permit varies with the type of permit you need. At the time of writing, here are some of the fees:. If you're applying for a license as a sole proprietorship, obviously you're the one whose qualifications the ABC Commission will review.

If your business is a partnership, every general partner will have to submit to commission review to get your North Carolina liquor license. The same applies to corporate officers and directors and anyone who holds a quarter of the stock in the company, as well as some managers. To establish that you, your partners or your directors are suitable to hold a North Carolina liquor license, the ABC commission looks at several factors including your reputation, your character, your criminal record and any evidence indicating you might not obey the law.

The commissioners will also review the proposed location for your business and whether it's suitable for licensing:. The ABC Commission has the sole power to decide if you and your location meet their standards. Submitting false information is grounds for rejecting your permit. For a retail license, you complete the state application and submit it, accompanied by the appropriate NC liquor license price.

You can pay by certified check, cashier's check or money order. You also submit the additional paperwork required, such as:. Some businesses will require extra paperwork, for example, the food menu and drink prices if your business is a restaurant. If you want a private club liquor license in NC, you have to submit the membership policy, the policy on guests using the facilities plus your club charter.

These operate at the local level, run by a local board. Each local board manages all ABC stores in its jurisdiction. Commercial ABC permits last indefinitely. Most retail permits expire on April 30 of each year, unless the holder renews them. To re-up your permit, you submit a renewal form along with a fee, typically the same as the initial NC liquor license cost.

Even if you follow the ABC rules, your permit expires automatically under some circumstances:. Whatever sort of North Carolina liquor license you aspire to, you will have to abide by the state's rules for permit holders.

Unlike some states, North Carolina doesn't require your wait staff and bartenders to undergo server training or get any sort of North Carolina liquor license. The exception is if you're applying for a temporary retail permit, which does require proof of trained staff.

Outside of that, the state does impose some minimum server requirements:. Even without a state mandate, you may require your staff to become trained and certified to ensure they comply with the laws and the ABC code of conduct. Getting your staff trained is a good step, but taking things further is often a good move.

You should make it clear to your staff that to protect your North Carolina liquor license you'll hold them responsible for living up to the rules. Fraser Sherman has written about every aspect of business: how to start one, how to keep one in the black, the best business structure, the details of financial statements.

He's also run a couple of small businesses of his own. He lives in Durham NC with his awesome wife and two wonderful dogs. His website is frasersherman. Share It. Some alcohol licenses require you to submit samples to the state for product approval. Suppliers of wine and beer must submit distribution agreements identifying their wholesalers. Distilleries, winemakers, wholesalers and importers need a federal permit.

Your business will have to conform to any regulations your local city or county government imposes on it. A private club liquor license in NC costs the same. Does it comply with all applicable building and fire codes? How many businesses in the neighborhood already hold ABC permits? Local parking facilities and traffic conditions. What kind of businesses are already in the neighborhood?

Is your proposed location within 50 feet of a church, church school or public school? Does it comply with local zoning? Is the county or city government pro or con on your North Carolina liquor license application? Is there any evidence operating the business at this site will hurt the neighborhood? Fingerprint card for everyone required to participate in the application. A copy of the deed, lease or rental agreement for your property, specifying that your business is the tenant or owner, and giving the beginning date and length of the agreement.

A local government opinion form. A zoning and inspection compliance form, signed by the appropriate officials. If the law requires you to recycle containers, submit the appropriate forms. A detailed diagram of the premises. The ownership of the business changes.

A North Carolina liquor license can't be transferred from one person or company to another.