Special Event License applications must be submitted at least 15 days prior to the event. It is important to file an application well in advance of the event to allow enough time to resolve any issues that may arise. A license may be issued in one day, if all of the required information is included in the application.
The SCDOR doesn't set a limit on how many licenses are issued in a calendar year; however, they cannot exceed 15 consecutive days per Code Section 61-4-550.
Yes, provided that prior to your original event date you submit a new application for the new event date with the permit issued for your original event.
No, you cannot get a Special Event License for your licensed location; however, if you are holding an event offsite and are on the retail tier, you may be able to get a Special Event Permit or License, which may require a separate Retail License. Refer to Regulation 7-202.1.
The applicant for the Special Event License should be the entity or individual who is responsible for the event, or the entity or individual benefitting from the sale of alcohol.
Yes, all license holders must be a resident of South Carolina for 30 days prior to obtaining a license. Corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLC), and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP) must be registered with the South Carolina Secretary of State for at least 30 days.
A wholesaler may donate beer, wine, and alcoholic liquors only to a nonprofit organization that has a license, including a temporary license, to serve the applicable beverage.
If you are having an event with multiple stations or tents set up to sell beer, wine, and/or liquor and have outside vendors, then each station needs its own license. Liquor is required to be confined to the area where it is sold. Typically, the separate area is defined by placing fencing, bike racks, etc. around each location. If there are no outside vendors, then you do not need a license for each individual station or tent.
If you have multiple stations set up with outside vendors for an event, you must keep the liquor within the confined area from where it is sold. However, if no outside vendors are present, liquor is allowed to move freely throughout the event space.
The Special Nonprofit Event License (TNL) allows manufacturers (vintners, brewpubs, breweries, microbrewers, importers, distillers, and micro-distillers) and wholesalers licensed in this state to donate product to the organization that has received a Special Nonprofit Event License. All donations must move through a licensed wholesaler.
Scenario 1:
An organization is putting on a festival with five beer, wine, and liquor stations and multiple outside vendors. Is a permit/license required for each individual beverage station? Are customers allowed to leave the stations with an open beer or wine?
Yes, a license for each individual station is required. Customers are free to move throughout the event perimeter, with beer and/or wine; however, liquor must be confined to a separate area where it is sold. Typically, the separate area is defined by placing fencing, bike racks, etc. around each of the premises.
Per Regulation 7-202.4(B)(5): The premises for which a license is held must be a separate designated location of a business in accordance with Code Section 61–2–140(C). Two or more licenses of the same type must not be issued for the same premises, except as provided in Section 7–202.2.D.
Scenario 2:
An organization is having a private party in park. Tickets are sold to include alcoholic beverages for this event, and two beverage stations are setup, but no outside vendors are present. Do I need a license for each station?
No, only one license is required for the entire location.
Scenario 3:
An organization is having a festival that is taking place in a park with two beer and wine stations and one liquor station. There is also one outside vendor selling concessions, but no alcoholic beverages. Do I need a license for each location?
Yes, a license is required for each individual location, since an outside vendor is present. The liquor is required to stay inside the confined area. Typically, the separate area is defined by placing fencing, bike racks, etc. around each of the licensed premises. Beer and wine can move freely within the event area.
