The alcoholic beverage industry is heavily regulated in the United States. Any business that is engaged in making, storing, or selling alcoholic beverages must comply with regulations at the federal, state, and local levels of government. Before a business begins its operations, it must obtain a number of licenses, permits, and governmental approvals.
The following table lists the licenses, permits, and governmental approvals that are commonly required for a business to operate in the alcoholic beverage industry in Florida. Not every business will require all of the approvals listed. The exact approvals required by each business will depend on its operations and location. This table is not exhaustive. Consult with your regulatory advisor about the licenses, permits, and governmental approvals required for your business in particular.
| License or Permit | Required To | Responsible Agency |
| U.S. Federal Government | ||
| Brewer’s Notice | Operate a brewery | TTB |
| Basic Permit – Wine | Operate a winery or wine bottler | TTB |
| Basic Permit – DSP | Operate a distillery or distilled spirits bottler | TTB |
| Basic Permit – Wholesale | Operate a distributor or other business involved in selling alcohol at wholesale | TTB |
| Basic Permit – Import | Operate an alcoholic beverage importer | TTB |
| Food Facilities Registration | Operate a food manufacturing plant or warehouse | FDA |
| COLA | Certify approval of label for alcoholic beverage products to be sold to retail customers | TTB |
| Formula Approval | Certify approve of non-standard alcoholic beverage formula or production method | TTB |
| Trademark Registration | Secure federal trademark protection | USPTO |
| State of Florida | ||
| CMB | Operate a production brewery | ABT |
| CMBP | Operate a brewpub | ABT |
| AMW | Operate a winery or wine bottler | ABT |
| Certified Farm Winery | Participate in Florida’s Farm Wineries program; make sales at farmers’ markets | FDACS |
| DD | Operate large-scale distillery | ABT |
| CD | Operate a small-scale distillery with a gift shop or tasting room | ABT |
| JDBW | Purchase beer or wine only from domestic or international suppliers; warehouse products; sell and distribute products to retail customers and other distributors | ABT |
| KLD | Purchase beer, wine or distilled spirits products from domestic or international suppliers; warehouse products; sell and distribute products to retail customers and other distributors | ABT |
| IMPR | Purchase beer, wine or distilled spirits products from international suppliers without taking physical possession; sell products to distributor | ABT |
| BSA | Purchase beer, wine or distilled spirits products from domestic suppliers without taking physical possession; sell products to distributor | ABT |
| EXPR | Sell beer, wine, or distilled spirit products to out-of-state wholesale customers without taking physical possession | ABT |
| BRND | Register brand for beer, wine, or distilled spirit product to be sold to retail customers | ABT |
| 2APS | Sell beer, wine or qualifying ready-to-drink products to retail customers for consumption off premises only | ABT |
| 2COP | Sell beer, wine or qualifying ready-to-drink products to retail customers for consumption on premises or carryout | ABT |
| 4COP-SFS | Sell beer, wine, or distilled spirits to retail customers in connection with restaurant food sales | ABT |
| 4COP | Sell beer, wine or distilled spirits to retail customers for consumption on premises or carryout | ABT |
| RTPD | Sell tobacco products to retail customers | ABT |
| OPS | Off-site storage o alcoholic beverage products by retail vendor | ABT |
| SBW | Storage of tax unpaid alcoholic beverage products | ABT |
| Wholesale/ Manufactured Food Establishment | Operation of a plant for the manufacturing or wholesaling of non-alcoholic beverages and food | FDACS |
| Permanent Food Service | Operation of a restaurant | Hotels & Restaurants |
| Bar | Operation of a bar in compliance with state sanitation requirements | County Health Department |
| Retail Food Establishment | Sell pre-packaged food products to retail customers | FDACS |
| Local Government | ||
| County Business Tax Receipt | Confirm payment of local business tax to county | County |
| City Business Tax Receipt | Confirm payment of local business tax to city | City |
| Zoning Authorization | Confirm compliance with municipal zoning ordinances | Municipal Government with Jurisdiction |
| Building Authorization | Confirm compliance with Florida Building Code and municipal building ordinances | Municipal Government with Jurisdiction |
Do you have questions about alcoholic beverage licenses, permits, and governmental approvals? Contact us to schedule a consultation with a beverage attorney.
Because we’re attorneys: Disclaimer. Posted April 16, 2023.