The information provided below is for informational purposes only. Our policy requires all applicants for an alcohol license to purchase an Alcohol Beverage Control ordinance prior to completing an application for a license. If you are interested in applying for a license or would like to purchase a copy of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Ordinance please stop by our office or email Katherine Cox. 

REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION
APPLICATION FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PERMIT

Complete the appropriate application below either by typewriter or print in ink.

• All applicants' signatures must be notarized.
• Individual Operation, Sole Proprietorship - Only the individual is required to file an application.
• Partnership Operation - All partners are required to file separate personal history applications.
• Limited Partnership - Each general partner in a limited partnership is required to file separate personal history applications.
• Corporation - Each officer, director, manager and any stockholder owning 20% or more of the stock of the corporation must complete separate applications.
• Non-residents - all non-resident applicants shall file as required above. In addition, a resident registered agent shall be appointed by the non-resident attorney-in-fact; this registered agent shall also complete required application. A certified copy of the duly executed power of attorney, which shall be registered in the county where the proposed licensed premises is located, shall be submitted with the application.

LEASE, RENTAL AGREEMENT OR PROOF OF OWNERSHIP

A copy of the lease or rental agreement must accompany the application. If the applicant owns the property, proof of ownership must be submitted (deed or recorded plat).

PAYMENT OF FEES

All application fees must be submitted with the application by certified check, cashier's check or money order. Payment must be made payable to the COLUMBIA COUNTY COMMISSION. All fees are deposited with the County and no provisions are made for refunds whether the permit is denied or later suspended or revoked except as provided by the Ordinance.

The fees for license vary and a copy can be obtained from the Building and Commercial Services Department.

PURCHASE OF COPY OF ORDINANCE
Each applicant shall purchase a copy of The Alcohol Ordinance and certify that he has reviewed said Ordinance. Applicant shall receive credit against the Administrative Fee for the initial copy of the Ordinance purchased.

LICENSE RENEWAL
Licenses expire on December 31 of each year. Licenses may be renewed by paying a renewal fee prior to October 30 each year subject to Commission approval. Licenses not renewed prior to October 30 will be invalid as of December 31st of the current year. Should the establishment desire a license, new applications must be submitted and the full fee paid including administrative and investigative fees and will be treated as if it is new license.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS OF EATING ESTABLISHMENTS
The following items must be presented with application:

• Copy of the restaurant's food menu.
• A detailed diagram of the entire premises showing entrances, exits, location of kitchen, seating arrangements, storage space for alcoholic beverages and locations where alcoholic beverages might be served and consumed, a statement of seating capacity and total square footage.
• Photographs of a quality that will clearly show the entire kitchen, including all equipment, all dining areas where mixed beverages may be served, bars, counters and mixing stations, locked storage area, and front exterior of premises. Photos of an empty room where kitchen or bar will be built later will not be accepted.
• A financial statement for each of the preceding six months, or for each month of operation of the restaurant if less than six months, showing revenues from food, alcoholic beverages, and all other sources. This shall be completed on a form provided by this Commission which is enclosed.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR HOTEL/RESTAURANTS

The following items must be submitted with application:

• Copy of the restaurant's menu.
• A detailed diagram of the entire premises showing entrances, exits, location of kitchen, seating arrangements, storage space for alcoholic beverages and locations where alcoholic beverages might be served and consumed, a statement of seating capacity and total square footage.
• Photographs of a quality that will clearly show the entire kitchen, all dining areas where alcoholic beverages may be served, all banquet rooms and social facilities, bars, counters and mixing stations, locked storage area and front exterior of the building.
• A financial statement for each of the preceding six months or for each month of operation of the hotel if less than six months, showing revenue from lodging, food, alcoholic beverages, and all other sources. This shall be completed on a form provided by the Commission which is enclosed.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR PRIVATE CLUB

The following items must be submitted with application:

• The written policy on granting of full and limited or temporary memberships.
• A copy of the membership application form.
• A copy of the membership card or certificate to be issued to members.
• The written policy on use of facilities by guests.
• The charter, articles of incorporation, constitution, or other basic document and the by-laws, if any.
• A detailed diagram of the entire premises showing entrances and exits, storage area for alcoholic beverages, and locations where mixed beverages might be served and consumed.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
A diagram of the organizations premises designating all entrances, exits, areas of consumption, mixing stations and the locked storage area for liquor must be submitted with application.

ALCOHOL LICENSE INFORMATION CHECKLIST  

• An appointment is required to return the application.  Please contact Katherine Cox by email or phone, (706) 312-7286.
• You must certify that you are familiar with the current Alcohol Beverage Control Ordinance of Columbia County.
• Before any license can be issued, you must contact the following departments for a final inspection and certificate of occupancy:
  • Health Department (Pouring License Only) Contact: (706) 541-1318
  • Building and Commercial Services (706) 868-3420
  • Business License Department Contact: (706) 868-3420

  In addition, the following will be required:

• Application form typed in duplicate and premise/structure form in duplicate.
• Statement of personal history form for sole owner, partners, officers, directors and major stockholders of private corporations, and general manager in duplicate.
• Certified or Cashier's Check for license fee payable to the Board of Commissioners of Columbia County.
• Certified or Cashier's Check for investigative and administrative fees and any other fees payable to Board of Commissioners of Columbia County.
• If building is complete, copies of detailed plans of building and outside premises attached.If building is proposed, copies of proposed plans and specifications and a building permit of the proposed building to be built.
• Certified report of survey from registered land surveyor.
• Certified scale drawing showing location and distance to closest school building, educational building, school grounds, or college and to any church building.
• Registered Agent consent form. MUST BE A RESIDENT OF COLUMBIA COUNTY.
• Evidence of ownership of the building or proposed building or copy of the lease, if the applicant is leasing the building.
• If the applicant is a franchise, copy of the franchise agreement or contract.
• For eating establishments only, copy of menu(s) attached.
• For private clubs only, minutes of annual meeting setting salaries for members, officers, agents or employees.
• For partnerships only, partnership agreement attached.
• Excise tax reporting form (to be submitted monthly).
• Projected purchases/projected gross sales.
• For corporations, copy of Certificate of Incorporation and certified minutes authorizing application and appointing Agent of Record.
• Copy of affidavit of publication of the newspaper advertisement.
• Photograph of sign as posted on premises and affidavit stating the date sign was posted. NOTICE: All Personal History Forms must furnish fingerprints and recent passport-type ID photo to the permit section.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Attach a certified plat of the proposed premises, prepared by a registered Georgia Land Surveyor, showing the location of all improvements and the distance from any church, school, alcoholic treatment facility, County park or playground, measured as required by the Alcohol Beverage Control Ordinance.
2. Attach evidence of ownership of the building or proposed building or a copy of the lease if the applicant is leasing the building.
3. If the applicant is a franchise, attach a copy of the franchise agreement or contract.
4. Attach a consent statement from Registered Agent.
5. a) If the building is complete, attach copies of detailed plans of said building and outside premises.
   b) If the building is proposed, attach copies of proposed plans and specifications and a building permit of the proposed building to be built.
6. Attach a statement of compliance from Health Department and Building and Commercial Services.
7. Final inspection from the Development Services Division (706) 868-3420.
8. Attach a statement of compliance from the County Fire Marshal (706) 868-3420.
   

Other: To sell alcohol or charge admission on Columbia County owned property for a single event, please visit the web page for Community Centers or call (706) 868-3349.