How to Get a Liquor License in Ohio

Starting in 2012, Ohio passed numerous laws to make selling and distributing alcohol easier for local businesses. Efforts included reducing permit fees for craft breweries and relaxing laws related to open containers at events.^[1]Journal-News. “Ohio has made it easier for alcohol businesses to thrive. Here’s how.” Accessed January 24, 2025. Still, while the regulation changes made it easier for businesses in the alcohol industry to serve their customers, Ohio is still known for strictly regulating alcohol. If you want to sell alcohol to customers in Ohio, you must obtain the correct license. Depending on the license type, the process can be challenging — some alcohol licenses in Ohio are subject to quotas.

This guide explores Ohio liquor licenses, the requirements, how much they cost, and other related topics. Read ahead if you want to sell alcohol in Ohio!

Types of Ohio Liquor Licenses

One of the challenging elements of applying for a liquor license in Ohio is the variety of available permits. Ohio is very specific with its license types — there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for alcohol-related businesses.

This is just a selection of other popular liquor permit types. For a full list of liquor permits and licenses in Ohio, check out the Department of Commerce guide on permit class types.

The type of Ohio alcohol license your business needs depends on your business type, the setting in which you serve alcohol, the types of alcohol your business serves, and other factors. Understanding your business and which permit it requires is essential before lodging any applications.

Liquor License Requirements for Ohio

Below, let’s explore an example of the details required to apply for a liquor license in Ohio (keep in mind this may vary depending on your license type):

• A Vendor License (this is a required license for any type of retailer with a physical presence in Ohio)
• Applicant contact information
• Type of business entity (i.e., LLC, non-profit, etc.)
• DBA
• Premises address and contact information
• Attorney information
• Details about the premises, such as restrooms, Food Service Licenses (FSOs), etc.
• Details about significant stakeholders
• Details about previous applications
• Personal history background forms

You must have a Vendor License before you can apply for a liquor license in Ohio. This is $25, and you can apply online. Local authorities, such as city officials, may also require additional licenses or permits. Make sure to check with your locality about additional business license requirements.

Next, extra permits are required for activities falling outside the restrictions outlined for your permit. For example, if your liquor license only allows your business to sell alcohol until 1 AM, there are licenses available to permit privileges until 2:30 AM (this is only applicable to some permits). Likewise, there are liquor permits specific to niche business types, such as airports, shopping malls, marina restaurants, and more.

Understanding Liquor Laws in Ohio

It’s critical for businesses selling or distributing alcohol in Ohio to adhere to the state’s liquor laws at all times. Not doing so may result in financial or criminal repercussions. Let’s explore some of the primary liquor laws in Ohio:

• You must be a United States citizen to have an Ohio liquor license.
• You must be 21 to have an Ohio liquor license.
• You must not be a convicted felon for any crime that “is reasonably related to the person’s fitness to operate a liquor permit business.”
• You must be 19 to serve alcohol in Ohio (although you must be older to prepare drinks(see below)).
• You must be 21 if you want to make alcoholic drinks and serve them (i.e., be a bartender).

Also, according to the Ohio Dram Shop Act, establishments can be held liable if they knowingly sell alcohol to intoxicated or underage individuals. ^[2]Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault. “Ohio Dram Shop Laws in a Drunk Driving Accident.”Accessed January 24, 2025. This means your business may be held financially responsible if a crime occurs after selling an underage or intoxicated individual alcohol. Always keep tabs on the laws and regulations listed on the Division of Liquor Control website to ensure your business complies with state alcohol laws.

How Much Does a Liquor License Cost in Ohio?

The liquor license cost in Ohio depends on which license you apply for. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a cheap liquor permit in Ohio. Many licenses are over $2,000 per year, and there are no discounts on renewals — you pay the full price each year. You must also pay a $100 application fee in addition to the licensing fee. Let’s take a look at the prices of some of the most popular liquor licenses:

The cost of a liquor license is subject to change, so make sure to keep tabs on the Ohio Division of Liquor Control website.

How to Apply for a Liquor License in Ohio

Unlike many states, Ohio doesn’t have an online portal for applying for liquor licenses. Instead, business owners must fill out a paper application and mail it to the Ohio Department of Commerce — Division of Liquor Control. This is a time-consuming process, so it’s critical to start the application as soon as possible to avoid any delays in approval. Below, let’s explore a step-by-step guide for applying for a liquor license in Ohio:

1. Identify the Correct Liquor License: Research which liquor license applies to your business. As discussed, Ohio has a wide range of liquor licenses—many business types have liquor permits exclusively designed for their sector. For example, there are specific liquor licenses for art museums, non-profit riverboats, hotels, private clubs, professional sports museums, and more.
2. Obtain a Vendor License: Next, as a retailer with a physical presence in Ohio, you must have a Vendor License (Seller License). This costs $25, and you can apply for the license on the Ohio Business Gateway site. You must sign up for an account first.
3. Download Your License Application: Once you know which license your business requires, head to the Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control applications and forms page to download the appropriate application.
4. Fill out the Form: Fill in your application with all the required details. The required information will vary depending on the license type.
5. Submit Forms and Payments via Mail: Unfortunately, you can only submit this application via mail. The $100 application fee and the first-year license fee are due upon application. Submit forms with payment to the mailing address at the bottom of the application.
6. Respond Quickly to Requests for More Information: If the Ohio Division of Liquor Control asks for more information, respond quickly to avoid delays in the application process.

How to Renew Your Ohio Liquor License

Fortunately, the renewal process for existing licenses is much more straightforward than the initial application. Unlike the initial paper application, there’s an online portal available for digital renewals. If you have previously registered an email address with the Division of Liquor Control, you should receive an email notification when it’s time to renew. If you haven’t registered online, you can find more information in the renewal guide on the Ohio Department of Commerce site. There are set renewal deadlines depending on your business’s geographic location. Make sure to inspect the Ohio Liquor Permit Renewal Districts map to determine when your renewal application is due.

As some liquor licenses in Ohio have caps on the number of licenses issued, not renewing your Ohio liquor permit on time can result in severe consequences for your business. If you fail to renew it within 30 days of the expiration date, the license is fully revoked, and the next business on the waiting list will gain access to it. You will then need to rejoin the waiting list before you can access another liquor permit.

Getting a Beer and Wine License in Ohio: Closing Thoughts

Obtaining a liquor license in Ohio is much more challenging than in many other states. Some licenses are subject to quotas, and the mail-only application process makes the approval process much slower than in other parts of the country. Still, if you do gain access to an Ohio alcohol license, there’s a market of over 8 million over the age of 21 in the state.^[3] Census Reporter. “Ohio.” Accessed January 24, 2025.

However, once you obtain a beer and wine license in Ohio, it’s essential to find a payment processing partner to facilitate credit card transactions for your business. By working with a bar and restaurant credit card processor, your business in the alcohol industry can benefit from a merchant account, a dedicated account manager, industry-specific tools, and other advantages. Never underestimate the benefits of working with a merchant account provider with an understanding of the alcohol industry! Contact us today to see what we can do for you.