• Addendum for Ownership Update Applications
• Signed copies of meeting minutes or transfer of shares

  TEMPORARY OR EXTENDED OUTDOOR AREA

• Addendum for Amendment Application
• Sketch of the premises - Please provide a sketch of the premises (including outdoor areas or living quarters, if applicable) that clearly outlines all areas and boundaries where alcoholic beverages will be served, sold, consumed, or stored. Accurate measurements and square footage must be marked. Boundaries of an outdoor service area must be easily identifiable using a visible structure. The following shall also be labeled on the sketch: entrances, exits, men's and women's restrooms, bar/sales counter, kitchens, offices, tables and seating, stages, entertainment/amusement devices, decks, patios, tents, etc. Retain a copy for your records. 
• Special Event Application (if applicable) - A special event application must be submitted and approved if proposing the use of a public right of way for the temporary outdoor area. 

PREMISES UPDATE OR PREMISES TRANSFER

• Addendum for Amendment Application
• Sketch of the premises - Please provide a sketch of the premises (including outdoor areas or living quarters, if applicable) that clearly outlines all areas and boundaries where alcoholic beverages will be served, sold, consumed, or stored. Accurate measurements and square footage must be marked. Boundaries of an outdoor service area must be easily identifiable using a visible structure. The following shall also be labeled on the sketch: entrances, exits, men's and women's restrooms, bar/sales counter, kitchens, offices, tables and seating, stages, entertainment/amusement devices, decks, patios, tents, etc. Retain a copy for your records. 
• Lease agreement, warranty deed, or final sales contract for the premises - Purchase agreements cannot be accepted. Please remember that, except under certain circumstances, the State will not back-date a license to an effective date prior to the date of the lease or ownership of the building. 

3. If applicable, the insurance carrier must verify dram shop insurance coverage with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division before a renewal can be processed.

4. The application information will be routed to the Zoning, Fire, Police, and/or Building Departments for review. When all department recommendations have been received by the Revenue Division, your application will be placed on the agenda for the subsequent City Council meeting for approval.

Note: City Council meetings are held twice a month, and the agenda must be set two weeks before each meeting.

5. When all of the above steps are completed, the Revenue Division will endorse your amendment application for processing by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. The approval will be emailed to the email address provided on your online application. 

On Premises

APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS -Please follow these steps in the order listed:

1.  Submit a new application through the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division Electronic Licensing and Permitting System (Iowa ABD eLAPS)
2. Please Provide all of the following documents to the Revenue Division to begin the approval process. Documents can be mailed to [email protected]
   • Addendum for the New Retail Alcohol License Application
   • Sketch of premises - Please provide a sketch of the premises (including outdoor areas or living quarters, if applicable) that clearly outlines all areas and boundaries where alcoholic beverages will be served, sold, consumed, or stored. Accurate measurements and square footage must be marked. Boundaries of an outdoor service area must be easily identifiable using a visible structure. The following shall also be labeled on the sketch: entrances, exits, men's and women's restrooms, bar/sales counter, kitchens, offices, tables and seating, stages, entertainment/amusement devices, deck/patios, tents, etc. Retain a copy for your records. 
   • Lease agreement, warranty deed, or final sales contract for the premises - Purchase agreements cannot be accepted. Please remember that, except under certain circumstances, the State will not back-date a license to an effective date prior to the date of the lease or ownership of the building. 
3. If applicable, the insurance carrier must verify dram shop insurance coverage with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division before a renewal can be processed. 
4. The application information will be routed to the Zoning, Fire, Police, and/or Building Departments for review. When all department recommendations have been received by the Revenue Division, your application will be placed on the agenda for the subsequent City Council meeting for approval.
5. When all of the above steps are completed, the Revenue Division will endorse your amendment application for processing by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. The approval will be emailed to the email address provided on your online application. 

Off-Premises (Carry-Out)

 APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS - Please follow these steps in the order listed:

1.  Submit a new application through the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division Electronic Licensing and Permitting System (Iowa ABD eLAPS)
2. Please Provide all of the following documents to the Revenue Division to begin the approval process. Documents can be mailed to [email protected]
   • Addendum for the New Retail Alcohol License Application
   • Sketch of premises - Please provide a sketch of the premises (including outdoor areas or living quarters, if applicable) that clearly outlines all areas and boundaries where alcoholic beverages will be served, sold, consumed, or stored. Accurate measurements and square footage must be marked. Boundaries of an outdoor service area must be easily identifiable using a visible structure. The following shall also be labeled on the sketch: entrances, exits, men's and women's restrooms, bar/sales counter, kitchens, offices, tables and seating, stages, entertainment/amusement devices, deck/patios, tents, etc. Retain a copy for your records. 
   • Lease agreement, warranty deed, or final sales contract for the premises - Purchase agreements cannot be accepted. Please remember that, except under certain circumstances, the State will not back-date a license to an effective date prior to the date of the lease or ownership of the building. 
3. If applicable, the insurance carrier must verify dram shop insurance coverage with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division before a renewal can be processed. 
4. The application information will be routed to the Zoning, Fire, Police, and/or Building Departments for review. When all department recommendations have been received by the Revenue Division, your application will be placed on the agenda for the subsequent City Council meeting for approval.
5. When all of the above steps are completed, the Revenue Division will endorse your amendment application for processing by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. The approval will be emailed to the email address provided on your online application. 

Temporary Event

APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS - Please follow these steps in the order listed:

1.  Submit a new application through the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division Electronic Licensing and Permitting System (Iowa ABD eLAPS)
2. Please Provide all of the following documents to the Revenue Division to begin the approval process. Documents can be mailed to [email protected]
   • Addendum for the New Retail Alcohol License Application
   • Sketch of premises - Please provide a sketch of the premises (including outdoor areas or living quarters, if applicable) that clearly outlines all areas and boundaries where alcoholic beverages will be served, sold, consumed, or stored. Accurate measurements and square footage must be marked. Boundaries of an outdoor service area must be easily identifiable using a visible structure. The following shall also be labeled on the sketch: entrances, exits, men's and women's restrooms, bar/sales counter, kitchens, offices, tables and seating, stages, entertainment/amusement devices, deck/patios, tents, etc. Retain a copy for your records. 
   • Lease agreement, warranty deed, or final sales contract for the premises - Purchase agreements cannot be accepted. Please remember that, except under certain circumstances, the State will not back-date a license to an effective date prior to the date of the lease or ownership of the building. 
3. If applicable, the insurance carrier must verify dram shop insurance coverage with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division before a renewal can be processed. 
4. The application information will be routed to the Zoning, Fire, Police, and/or Building Departments for review. When all department recommendations have been received by the Revenue Division, your application will be placed on the agenda for the subsequent City Council meeting for approval.
5. When all of the above steps are completed, the Revenue Division will endorse your amendment application for processing by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. The approval will be emailed to the email address provided on your online application. 

When will I need to obtain an alcohol license/permit?

You will need an alcohol license in order to:

• Sell or serve alcoholic beverages at a commercial establishment that the general public has access to and/or requires entrance fees for consumption on or off the premises. 
• Allow the consumption of alcoholic liquor at a commercial establishment that the general public has access to and/or requires entrance fees for the consumption on or off the premises. 
• Sell or serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on public property in accordance with the Special Events Policy. 

You will not need an alcohol license in order to:

• Hold a private event in a non-commercial establishment where goods or services are not sold that does not accept entrance fees and attendees are limited to bona fide social hosts and invited guests.

 
How do I begin the process of applying for a new alcohol license/permit?

 The first step of the application process is to apply on line through the State of Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division at https://iowaabd.my.site.com/.

 What type of license do I need?

How long will it take to obtain a new license?  

The process will take approximately 45 days from the time all documents are received until the license is issued by the State of Iowa. Missing Information and errors may delay the application process. 

2023 Deadline Calendar

The status of my application says "submitted to local authority." What does this mean?

Once an application is submitted to the State of Iowa, the application must be reviewed by the local authority. In order to initiate the review, you must provide the necessary documents to the Revenue Coordinator.

 How do I pay for my license?

All payments for an alcohol license/permit are submitted during the State of Iowa application.

What documents are required for a new alcohol license/permit?

You will need to provide the following documents to the Revenue Coordinator: Sketch of premises, application addendum, financial statement, and use of property agreement (warranty deed, lease, sales contract). Other documents may be deemed necessary during the application process. 

 What do I need to include in a sketch?

The sketch should include the dimensions and square footage, entrances/exits, restrooms, tables and seating, storage areas, openings to other rooms, outdoor area (clearly showing boundaries of its area and relationship to the licensed premise), and living quarters. 

What are the applicant's eligibility requirements?

The applicant must:

• be a U.S. citizen and an Iowa Resident OR be incorporated to do business in Iowa;
• have a financial standing and a good reputation;
• not have felony convictions or have had your rights of citizenship restored five or more years after conviction;
• not have any financial interest in an Iowa liquor license, wine or beer permit that was revoked during the past two years. 

What is required for an annual renewal?