skip navigation
AZ.gov Arizona's Official Website Department of Liquor Licenses and Control
Agency Name AZ.gov Arizona's Official Web Site

Restaurant Application Kit (Series 12)

Each application for a new liquor license includes The Arizona Statement of Citizenship and Alien Status For State Public Benefits Form (AKA Aliens Status Form). Beginning April 1, 2009, this Federal- and State-required form must be completed by;

  1. statutory agents;
  2. individual owners including Joint Tenants With Right of Survivorship (JTWROS); and
  3. each partner (who is a person) in a partnership including general and limited partners. This does not include corporations which are partners.
  4. To help you complete the form are Attachments A & B and frequently asked questions (Alien Status Form FAQs) below.

This non-transferable, on-sale retail privileges liquor license allows the holder of a restaurant license to sell and serve spirituous liquor solely for consumption on the premises of an establishment which derives at least forty percent (40%) of its gross revenue from the sale of food. Failure to meet the 40% food requirement shall result in revocation of the license.

ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: A restaurant license applicant must submit a copy of its restaurant menu and Restaurant Operation Plan with the application. The Plan must include listings of all restaurant equipment and service items, the restaurant seating capacity, and other information requested by the department to substantiate that the restaurant will operate in compliance with Title 4. The licensee must notify the Department, in advance, of any proposed changes in the seating capacity of the restaurant or dimensions of a restaurant facility.

Applicants, licensees, and managers are required to take a Title 4 training course (liquor handling, laws and regulations) at least 45 days prior to the issuance of their liquor license.

The licensee is required to keep an Employee Log which identifies persons employed at the premises including each employee's name, date of birth, address and responsibilities.

A pregnancy warning sign for pregnant women consuming spirituous liquor must be posted within twenty (20) feet of the cash register or at the point of purchase.

After one year of operation as a liquor-licensed establishment has been completed, the licensee will be required to complete the Business Data Report prior to renewal. This report verifies that the restaurant has received at least forty percent (40%) of its gross revenue from the sale of food. When the restaurant sells liquor until 2:00 a.m, all menu items must be made available to patrons until at least 10:00 p.m. daily.

A licensee acting as a retail agent, authorized to purchase and accept delivery of spirituous liquor by other licensees, must complete a Certificate of Registration form. Bar, beer and wine bar, and restaurant licensees must pay annual surcharges of $85.00. The money collected from these licensees will be used by the Department for an auditor to review compliance by restaurants with the restaurant licensing provisions of ARS 4-205.02; enforcement programs, and neighborhood association liaison.

ARIZONA STATUTES AND REGULATIONS: A.R.S. §4-119, 4.201, 4-202, 4-203, 4-205.02, 4-205.06, 4-209(B)(12), 4-209(D)(12), 4-209(J)(K)(L), 4-213, 4-222, 4-261; Rule R19-1-208; R19-1-310; R19-1-235.

Average Approval Time: Sixty-five (65) to one-hundred five (105) days.
Period of Issuance: One (1) year with option to renew.
Application Fees:
Non-refundable application fee: $100.00
Fingerprint fee per card: $22.00 Finger Print Services
Interim Permit fee: $100.00
Site Inspection Fee: $50.00
Fees Due Upon Approval:
Final fees (full year): $2,000.00
Final fees (half year): $1,750.00
Annual renewal fee (includes surcharge): $585.00