Liquor License

Regular Liquor License Series Description(DOC, 50KB)

For restaurant licenses please check with the Planning and Development Services Department at (520) 791-5550 to ensure all zoning requirements are met prior to submitting liquor license applications. Please be aware that a restaurant located in a C-1 zone may need to do a Mitigation Plan Process that requires notification to the neighbors, along with a neighborhood meeting, and the process can take up to 60 days.

• Mitigation Plan Summary of Process(PDF, 10KB)
• Mitigation Plan Application(PDF, 82KB)
• Aviso en español(PDF, 96KB)

For an original license, location transfer, person transfer and person/location transfer, the fee will be $1,636. The fee for Agent Change/Acquisition of Control applications is $463. These fees are in addition to any fees charged by the State of Arizona.

ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Pursuant to Tucson City Code Section 19-53(3), applications for all special events must be received in the City Clerk's Office no less than forty-five (45) days before the date of your event. Be sure to check the M/C schedule to ensure you are filing your application in time to be scheduled for a Mayor and Council Meeting.

After the City of Tucson approves your Special Event Liquor License, it will be sent to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (ADLLC). NOTE: Time frames for ADLLC to process these applications are 7 - 10 business days. If the application is submitted less than 10 business days prior to the event, staff will do their best to process the application before the event date. Upon review and approval, the license will be emailed to the email address listed on the application. 

NOTE: Rates for Applications and LATE filings(PDF, 33KB)

Additional Fire Inspection Fees May Apply(PDF, 102KB)

Attempts to submit an application within 21 days prior to your scheduled event must comply with Tucson Code §19-53.

For events 0 to 500 attendees the fee is: $125

For events 501 to 2500 attendees the fee is: $240

For events 2501 to 5000 attendees the fee is: $297

For events more than 5000 attendees the fee is: $480

ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

The City of Tucson mandatory Questionnaire(PDF, 328KB) was created to ensure that applicants create events that will assist in reducing the risk of underage drinking. Additionally, a brochure(PDF, 363KB) entitled "What Makes a Special Event?" was also created and describes best practices for reducing underage drinking at special events where alcohol is served.

Additionally, payment to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (ADLLC) is required for Special Events. Special Events are $25 for each day of the event. Those checks should be made payable to the State of Arizona in the proper amount and submitted along with your application to the City Clerk.

Businesses and individuals have been approved by the ADLLC to provide Special Event Contractor services and have been approved by the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control as provided by A.R.S. 4-203.02.

These Special Event Contractors:

• May assist the organization in running the event (i.e. a promoter or venue manager)
• Must be approved by the Department of Liquor
• Must have current liquor training
• Will be listed on the application
• Authorized to do business on behalf of the organization (i.e. purchase alcohol, hire employees, etc.):
• ADLLC approved Special Event Contractor's List

• State of Arizona - Special Event Application
• City of Tucson - Special Event Questionnaire(PDF, 469KB)
• "What Makes A Special Event?" Brochure(PDF, 363KB)
• Planning for a Civic Event or Block Party

NOTE: Additional Fee for Fire Inspections(PDF, 74KB)

Permanent Extension of Premise

The initial application fee for a permanent extension is $60 per 100 square feet up to a maximum of $1,344. A subsequent application for the same type of extension of premises made within 12 months of the initial application is $35 per 100 square feet up to a maximum of $1,344.

The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control also requires a $50 processing fee for all permanent extension of premises. Make these checks payable to the State of Arizona.

Temporary Extension of Premise

The application for Temporary Extensions of Premises must be received by the City Clerk a minimum of forty-five (45) days before the date of the proposed use. Initial application fee is $25 per 100 square feet up to a maximum of $526. A subsequent application for the same type of extension of premises made within 12 months of the initial application is $15 per 100 square feet up to a maximum of $526. The authority for reviewing and making recommendations on requests for extension of premises is handled by the City of Tucson Zoning Examiner.

ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Applications for Extension of Premises are to be submitted to the City Clerk's Office. Checks for the above fees should be made payable to the City of Tucson in the proper amount. If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 791-4213.

NOTE: Rates for Application and LATE filings(PDF, 33KB)

Attempts to submit an application within 21 days prior to your scheduled event must comply with Tucson Code §19-53.

• State of Arizona - Permanent Extension of Premises Application
• State of Arizona - Temporary Extension of Premise Application
• City of Tucson - Extension of Premise Questionnaire(PDF, 191KB)

NOTE: Fair/Festival applications must be received by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (ADLLC) 10 days prior to the event.

A Fair/Festival (Series 16) License allows a licensed farm winery or craft distillery to serve products they produce at a festival, sanctioned county or state fair or within the premises of a licensed special event. Liquor produced under the provisions of the farm winery or craft distillery license may be served for consumption on the fair/festival premises or "to-go" in the original, sealed container. The application will require state approval.

ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Additionally, payment to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control is required for Wine Festival/Wine Fair Licenses. Wine Festival/Wine Fairs are $15 for each day of the festival or fair. Those checks should be made payable to the State of Arizona in the proper amount and submitted along with your application to the City Clerk.

NOTE: Rate for Applications and LATE filings(PDF, 33KB)

Attempts to submit an application within 21 days prior to your scheduled event must comply with Tucson Code §19-53.

• State of Arizona - Fair/Festival Application
• City of Tucson- Craft Distiller/Farm Winery Fair/Festival Questionnaire(PDF, 275KB)

Pursuant to State Law, establishing districts provides a way for the City of Tucson to exempt certain types of liquor licenses from the restriction that prohibits them within 300 feet of a church or school. The exemption form must be completed and filed with the liquor license application. Exemptions are approved by Mayor and Council on a case-by-case basis.

On May 20, 2014, the City of Tucson Mayor and Council adopted Resolution No. 22224 establishing the Greater Downtown Entertainment District.

On October 21, 2014, the City of Tucson Mayor and Council adopted Resolution No. 22303 establishing the Main Gate Entertainment District.

• Exemption Form(PDF, 94KB)
• Greater Downtown Entertainment District Map(PDF, 3MB)
• Main Gate Entertainment District Map(PDF, 5MB)

City Clerk's Office
Suzanne Mesich, City Clerk
City Hall
255 W. Alameda
Tucson, AZ 85701
P.O. Box 27210
Tucson, AZ 85726-7210
(520) 791-4213
Fax: (520) 791-4017
TTY: (520) 791-2639
cityclerk@tucsonaz.gov