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The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will open its application window for new liquor licenses this September, giving applicants a two-week period to apply.

ABC Director Paul Tupy announced the state will issue a limited number of new on-sale general licenses—which allow alcohol sales for on-premises consumption—and off-sale general licenses, which allow sales for off-premises consumption. The department has also authorized intercounty transfers of certain licenses during this time.

License Allocations by County

• Fresno County: 25 new on-sale licenses, 10 new off-sale licenses, and 25 intercounty transfer on-sale licenses

• Kings County: Four new on-sale licenses and four intercounty transfer on-sale licenses

• Madera County: Five new on-sale licenses, one new off-sale license, and five intercounty transfer on-sale licenses

• Tulare County: 16 new on-sale licenses, two new off-sale licenses, and 16 intercounty transfer on-sale licenses

Applications will be accepted Sept. 8–19 at local ABC offices. The same period applies to both new licenses and priority applications for intercounty transfers.

Applicants may submit only one application per county for each license type. Fees are $19,315 for new licenses and $7,320 for intercounty transfers.

If the number of applications in a county equals or is fewer than the available licenses, applicants will have 90 days to file a formal application for a specific premises. If applications exceed available licenses, ABC will hold a virtual drawing to determine recipients.

Applicants must have been California residents for at least 90 days prior to the drawing date. Those selected will have 90 days to complete their formal applications.

Unsuccessful applicants will receive a refund of their application fee, minus a $100 service charge, within 90–120 days of the priority drawing. However, they will retain their priority ranking until Aug. 1, 2026.

ABC encourages applicants to apply early to avoid delays.

For more information and application instructions for both original and intercounty transfer licenses, visit the ABC website.