RCW 66.24.452
Private club beer and wine license
—
Fee.
(1) There shall be a beer and wine license to be issued to a private club for sale of beer, strong beer, and wine for on-premises consumption.
(2) Beer, strong beer, and wine sold by the licensee may be on tap or by open bottles or cans.
(3) The fee for the private club beer and wine license is $270 per year.
(4) The board may issue an endorsement to the private club beer and wine license that allows the holder of a private club beer and wine license to sell bottled wine for off-premises consumption. Spirits, strong beer, and beer may not be sold for off-premises consumption under this section. The annual fee for the endorsement under this section is $180.
[
2025 c 343 s 36
; (2009 c 507 s 12 expired July 1, 2011);
2009 c 373 s 3
;
2003 c 167 s 10
;
2001 c 199 s 2
;
1997 c 321 s 31
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2009 c 507:
See note following RCW 66.24.320
.
Effective date
—
2003 c 167:
See note following RCW 66.24.244
.
Report to legislature
—
2003 c 167:
See note following RCW 66.24.250
.
Effective date
—
1997 c 321:
See note following RCW 66.24.010
.
RCW 66.24.455
Bowling establishments
—
Extension of premises to concourse and lane areas
—
Beer and/or wine restaurant, tavern, snack bar, spirits, beer, and wine restaurant, spirits, beer, and wine private club, or beer and wine private club licensees.
Subject to approval by the board, holders of beer and/or wine restaurant, tavern, snack bar, spirits, beer, and wine restaurant, spirits, beer, and wine private club, or beer and wine private club licenses may extend their premises for the sale, service, and consumption of liquor authorized under their respective licenses to the concourse or lane areas in a bowling establishment where the concourse or lane areas are adjacent to the food preparation service facility.
[
1998 c 126 s 10
;
1997 c 321 s 32
;
1994 c 201 s 2
;
1974 ex.s. c 65 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1998 c 126:
See note following RCW 66.20.010
.
Effective date
—
1997 c 321:
See note following RCW 66.24.010
.
RCW 66.24.481
Public place or club
—
License or permit required
—
Penalty.
No public place or club, or agent, servant or employee thereof, shall keep or allow to be kept, either by itself, its agent, servant or employee, or any other person, any liquor in any place maintained or conducted by such public place or club, nor shall it permit the drinking of any liquor in any such place, unless the sale of liquor in said place is authorized by virtue of a valid and subsisting license issued by the Washington *state liquor control board, or the consumption of liquor in said place is authorized by a special banquet permit issued by said board. Every person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
"Public place," for purposes of this section only, shall mean in addition to the definition set forth in RCW 66.04.010, any place to which admission is charged or in which any pecuniary gain is realized by the owner or operator of such place in selling or vending food or soft drinks.
[
2008 c 94 s 9
;
1969 ex.s. c 250 s 2
;
1953 c 141 s 1
(adding a new section to chapter
66.24
RCW).]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note:
The "state liquor control board" was renamed the "state liquor and cannabis board" by
2015 c 70 s 3
.
RCW 66.24.495
Nonprofit arts organization license
—
Fee.
(1) There shall be a license to be designated as a nonprofit arts organization license. This shall be a special license to be issued to any nonprofit arts organization which sponsors and presents productions or performances of an artistic or cultural nature in a specific theater or other appropriate designated indoor premises approved by the board. The license shall permit the licensee to sell liquor to patrons of productions or performances for consumption on the premises at these events. The fee for the license shall be $250 per annum.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the term "nonprofit arts organization" means an organization which is organized and operated for the purpose of providing artistic or cultural exhibitions, presentations, or performances or cultural or art education programs, as defined in subsection (3) of this section, for viewing or attendance by the general public. The organization must be a not-for-profit corporation under chapter
24.03A
RCW and managed by a governing board of not less than eight individuals none of whom is a paid employee of the organization or by a corporation sole under chapter
24.12
RCW. In addition, the corporation must satisfy the following conditions:
(a) No part of its income may be paid directly or indirectly to its members, stockholders, officers, directors, or trustees except in the form of services rendered by the corporation in accordance with its purposes and bylaws;
(b) Salary or compensation paid to its officers and executives must be only for actual services rendered, and at levels comparable to the salary or compensation of like positions within the state;
(c) Assets of the corporation must be irrevocably dedicated to the activities for which the license is granted and, on the liquidation, dissolution, or abandonment by the corporation, may not inure directly or indirectly to the benefit of any member or individual except a nonprofit organization, association, or corporation;
(d) The corporation must be duly licensed or certified when licensing or certification is required by law or regulation;
(e) The proceeds derived from sales of liquor, except for reasonable operating costs, must be used in furtherance of the purposes of the organization;
(f) Services must be available regardless of race, color, national origin, or ancestry; and
(g) The board shall have access to its books in order to determine whether the corporation is entitled to a license.
(3) The term "artistic or cultural exhibitions, presentations, or performances or cultural or art education programs" includes and is limited to:
(a) An exhibition or presentation of works of art or objects of cultural or historical significance, such as those commonly displayed in art or history museums;
(b) A musical or dramatic performance or series of performances; or
(c) An educational seminar or program, or series of such programs, offered by the organization to the general public on an artistic, cultural, or historical subject.
[
2025 c 343 s 37
;
2023 c 470 s 1013
; (2022 c 116 s 15 expired December 31, 2023). Prior:
2021 c 176 s 5234
;
2021 c 6 s 10
;
1997 c 321 s 33
;
1981 c 142 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Explanatory statement
—
2023 c 470:
See note following RCW 10.99.030
.
Expiration date
—
2022 c 116 ss 2-20:
See note following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
Finding
—
Intent
—
2022 c 116:
See notes following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 176:
See note following RCW 24.03A.005
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 6:
See note following RCW 66.24.140
.
Effective date
—
1997 c 321:
See note following RCW 66.24.010
.
RCW 66.24.520
Grower's license
—
Fee.
There shall be a grower's license to sell wine or spirits made from grapes or other agricultural products owned at the time of vinification or distillation by the licensee in bulk to holders of domestic wineries', distillers', or manufacturers' licenses or for export. The wine or spirits shall be made upon the premises of a domestic winery or craft distillery licensee and is referred to in this section as grower's wine or grower's spirits. A grower's license authorizes the agricultural product grower to contract for the manufacturing of wine or spirits from the grower's own agricultural product, store wine or spirits in bulk made from agricultural products produced by the holder of this license, and to sell wine or spirits in bulk made from the grower's own agricultural products to a winery or distillery in the state of Washington or to export in bulk for sale out-of-state. The annual fee for a grower's license shall be $75. For the purpose of chapter
66.28
RCW, a grower licensee shall be deemed a manufacturer.
[
2025 c 343 s 38
;
2010 c 290 s 4
;
1986 c 214 s 1
.]
RCW 66.24.530
Duty free exporter's license
—
Class S
—
Fee.
(1) There shall be a license to be designated as a class S license to qualified duty free exporters authorizing such exporters to sell beer and wine to vessels for consumption outside the state of Washington.
(2) To qualify for a license under subsection (1) of this section, the exporter shall have:
(a) An importer's basic permit issued by the United States bureau of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms and a customs house license in conjunction with a common carriers bond;
(b) A customs bonded warehouse, or be able to operate from a foreign trade zone; and
(c) A notarized signed statement from the purchaser stating that the product is for consumption outside the state of Washington.
(3) The license for qualified duty free exporters shall authorize the duty free exporter to purchase from a brewery, winery, beer wholesaler, wine wholesaler, beer importer, or wine importer licensed by the state of Washington.
(4) Beer and/or wine sold and delivered in this state to duty free exporters for use under this section shall be considered exported from the state.
(5) The fee for this license shall be $150 per annum.
[
2025 c 343 s 39
;
1987 c 386 s 1
.]
RCW 66.24.540
Motel license
—
Fee.
(1) There is a retailer's license to be designated as a motel license. The motel license may be issued to a motel regardless of whether it holds any other class of license under this title. No license may be issued to a motel offering rooms to its guests on an hourly basis. The license authorizes the licensee to:
(a) Sell, at retail, in locked honor bars, spirits in individual bottles not to exceed 50 milliliters, beer in individual cans or bottles not to exceed 12 ounces, and wine in individual bottles not to exceed 187 milliliters, to registered guests of the motel for consumption in guest rooms.
(i) Each honor bar must also contain snack foods. No more than one-half of the guest rooms may have honor bars.
(ii) All spirits to be sold under the license must be purchased from a spirits retailer or a spirits distributor licensee of the board.
(iii) The licensee must require proof of age from the guest renting a guest room and requesting the use of an honor bar. The guest must also execute an affidavit verifying that no one under 21 years of age has access to the spirits, beer, and wine in the honor bar.
(b) Provide without additional charge, to overnight guests of the motel, spirits, beer, and wine by the individual serving for on-premises consumption at a specified regular date, time, and place as may be fixed by the board. Self-service by attendees is prohibited. All spirits, beer, and wine service must be done by an alcohol server as defined in RCW 66.20.300
and comply with RCW 66.20.310
.
(2) The annual fee for a motel license is $750.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "motel" means a transient accommodation licensed under chapter
70.62
RCW.
[
2025 c 343 s 40
; (2022 c 116 s 16 expired December 31, 2023);
2021 c 6 s 11
;
2012 c 2 s 114
(Initiative Measure No. 1183, approved November 8, 2011);
1999 c 129 s 1
;
1997 c 321 s 34
;
1993 c 511 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2022 c 116 ss 2-20:
See note following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
Finding
—
Intent
—
2022 c 116:
See notes following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 6:
See note following RCW 66.24.140
.
Finding
—
Application
—
Rules
—
Effective date
—
Contingent effective date
—
2012 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1183):
See notes following RCW 66.24.620
.
Effective date
—
1997 c 321:
See note following RCW 66.24.010
.
RCW 66.24.550
Beer and wine gift delivery license
—
Fee
—
Limitations.
There shall be a beer and wine retailer's license to be designated as a beer and wine gift delivery license to solicit, take orders for, sell, and deliver beer and/or wine in bottles and original packages to persons other than the person placing the order. A beer and wine gift delivery license may be issued only to a business solely engaged in the sale or sale and delivery of gifts at retail which holds no other class of license under this title or to a person in the business of selling flowers or floral arrangements at retail. No minimum beer and/or wine inventory requirement shall apply to holders of beer and wine gift delivery licenses. The fee for this license is $112.50 per year. Delivery of beer and/or wine under a beer and wine gift delivery license shall be made in accordance with all applicable provisions of this title and the rules of the board, and no beer and/or wine so delivered shall be opened on any premises licensed under this title. A beer and wine gift delivery license does not authorize door-to-door solicitation of gift wine delivery orders. Deliveries of beer and/or wine under a beer and wine gift delivery license shall be made only in conjunction with gifts or flowers.
[
2025 c 343 s 41
;
1997 c 321 s 35
;
1989 c 149 s 1
;
1986 c 40 s 1
;
1982 c 85 s 10
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
1997 c 321:
See note following RCW 66.24.010
.
RCW 66.24.570
Sports entertainment facility license
—
Fee
—
Caterer's endorsement
—
Financial arrangements
—
Reporting.
(1) There is a license for sports entertainment facilities to be designated as a sports entertainment facility license to sell beer, wine, and spirits at retail, for consumption upon the premises only, the license to be issued to the entity providing food and beverage service at a sports entertainment facility as defined in this section. The cost of the license is $3,750 per annum.
(2) For purposes of this section, a sports entertainment facility includes a publicly or privately owned arena, coliseum, stadium, or facility where sporting events are presented for a price of admission. The facility does not have to be exclusively used for sporting events.
(3) The board may impose reasonable requirements upon a licensee under this section, such as requirements for the availability of food and victuals including but not limited to hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, or other snack food. The board may also restrict the type of events at a sports entertainment facility at which beer, wine, and spirits may be served. When imposing conditions for a licensee, the board must consider the seating accommodations, eating facilities, and circulation patterns in such a facility, and other amenities available at a sports entertainment facility.
(4)(a) The board may issue a caterer's endorsement to the license under this section to allow the licensee to remove from the liquor stocks at the licensed premises, for use as liquor for sale and service at event locations at a specified date and place not currently licensed by the board. If the event is open to the public, it must be sponsored by a society or organization as defined by RCW 66.24.375
. If attendance at the event is limited to members or invited guests of the sponsoring individual, society, or organization, the requirement that the sponsor must be a society or organization as defined by RCW 66.24.375
is waived. Cost of the endorsement is $525.
(b) The holder of this license with catering endorsement shall, if requested by the board, notify the board or its designee of the date, time, place, and location of any catered event. Upon request, the licensee shall provide to the board all necessary or requested information concerning the society or organization that will be holding the function at which the endorsed license will be utilized.
(5) The board may issue an endorsement to the beer, wine, and spirits sports entertainment facility license that allows the holder of a beer, wine, and spirits sports entertainment facility license to sell for off-premises consumption wine vinted and bottled in the state of Washington and carrying a label exclusive to the license holder selling the wine. Spirits and beer may not be sold for off-premises consumption under this section. The annual fee for the endorsement under this section is $180.
(6)(a) A licensee and an affiliated business may enter into arrangements with a manufacturer, importer, or distributor for brand advertising at the sports entertainment facility or promotion of events held at the sports entertainment facility, with a capacity of five thousand people or more. The financial arrangements providing for the brand advertising or promotion of events shall not be used as an inducement to purchase the products of the manufacturer, importer, or distributor entering into the arrangement nor shall it result in the exclusion of brands or products of other companies.
(b) The arrangements allowed under this subsection (6) are an exception to arrangements prohibited under RCW 66.28.305
. The board shall monitor the impacts of these arrangements. The board may conduct audits of the licensee and the affiliated business to determine compliance with this subsection (6). Audits may include but are not limited to product selection at the facility; purchase patterns of the licensee; contracts with the liquor manufacturer, importer, or distributor; and the amount allocated or used for liquor advertising by the licensee, affiliated business, manufacturer, importer, or distributor under the arrangements.
(c) The board shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 30, 2008, and biennially thereafter, on the impacts of arrangements allowed between sports entertainment licensees and liquor manufacturers, importers, and distributors for brand advertising and promotion of events at the facility.
[
2025 c 343 s 42
; (2022 c 116 s 17 expired December 31, 2023);
2021 c 6 s 12
;
2011 c 119 s 205
;
2007 c 369 s 2
;
2003 c 345 s 3
;
2001 c 199 s 5
;
1997 c 321 s 36
;
1996 c 218 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2022 c 116 ss 2-20:
See note following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
Finding
—
Intent
—
2022 c 116:
See notes following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 6:
See note following RCW 66.24.140
.
Effective date
—
1997 c 321:
See note following RCW 66.24.010
.
RCW 66.24.580
Public house license
—
Fees
—
Limitations.
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
RCW 66.24.580
was amended by 2025 c 343 s 43 without reference to its repeal by
2025 c 167 s 5
. It has been decodified for publication purposes under RCW 1.12.025
.
RCW 66.24.590
Hotel license
—
Fee
—
Limitations.
(1) There is a retailer's license to be designated as a hotel license. No license may be issued to a hotel offering rooms to its guests on an hourly basis. Food service provided for room service, banquets or conferences, or restaurant operation under this license must meet the requirements of rules adopted by the board.
(2) The hotel license authorizes the licensee to:
(a) Sell spirituous liquor, beer, and wine, by the individual glass, at retail, for consumption on the premises, including mixed drinks and cocktails compounded and mixed on the premises;
(b) Sell, at retail, from locked honor bars, in individual units, spirits not to exceed 50 milliliters, beer in individual units not to exceed 12 ounces, and wine in individual bottles not to exceed 385 milliliters, to registered guests of the hotel for consumption in guest rooms. The licensee must require proof of age from the guest renting a guest room and requesting the use of an honor bar. The guest must also execute an affidavit verifying that no one under 21 years of age will have access to the spirits, beer, and wine in the honor bar;
(c) Provide without additional charge, to overnight guests, spirits, beer, and wine by the individual serving for on-premises consumption at a specified regular date, time, and place as may be fixed by the board. Self-service by attendees is prohibited;
(d) Sell beer, including strong beer, wine, or spirits, in the manufacturer's sealed container or by the individual drink to guests through room service, or through service to occupants of private residential units which are part of the buildings or complex of buildings that include the hotel;
(e) Sell beer, including strong beer, spirits, or wine, in the manufacturer's sealed container at retail sales locations within the hotel premises;
(f) Sell beer to a purchaser in a sanitary container brought to the premises by the purchaser or furnished by the licensee and filled at the tap in the restaurant area by the licensee at the time of sale;
(g) Sell for on or off-premises consumption, including through room service and service to occupants of private residential units managed by the hotel, wine carrying a label exclusive to the hotel license holder;
(h) Place in guest rooms at check-in, a complimentary bottle of liquor in a manufacturer-sealed container, and make a reference to this service in promotional material.
(3) If all or any facilities for alcoholic beverage service and the preparation, cooking, and serving of food are operated under contract or joint venture agreement, the operator may hold a license separate from the license held by the operator of the hotel. Food and beverage inventory used in separate licensed operations at the hotel may not be shared and must be separately owned and stored by the separate licensees.
(4) All spirits to be sold under this license must be purchased from a spirits retailer or spirits distributor licensee of the board.
(5) All on-premises alcoholic beverage service must be done by an alcohol server as defined in RCW 66.20.300
and must comply with RCW 66.20.310
.
(6)(a) The hotel license allows the licensee to remove from the liquor stocks at the licensed premises, liquor for sale and service at event locations at a specified date and place not currently licensed by the board. If the event is open to the public, it must be sponsored by a society or organization as defined by RCW 66.24.375
. If attendance at the event is limited to members or invited guests of the sponsoring individual, society, or organization, the requirement that the sponsor must be a society or organization as defined by RCW 66.24.375
is waived.
(b) The holder of this license must, if requested by the board, notify the board or its designee of the date, time, place, and location of any event. Upon request, the licensee must provide to the board all necessary or requested information concerning the society or organization that will be holding the function at which the endorsed license will be utilized.
(c) Licensees may cater events on a domestic winery, brewery, or distillery premises.
(7) The holder of this license or its manager may furnish spirits, beer, or wine to the licensee's employees who are 21 years of age or older free of charge as may be required for use in connection with instruction on spirits, beer, and wine. The instruction may include the history, nature, values, and characteristics of spirits, beer, or wine, the use of wine lists, and the methods of presenting, serving, storing, and handling spirits, beer, or wine. The licensee must use the liquor it obtains under its license for the sampling as part of the instruction. The instruction must be given on the premises of the licensee.
(8) Minors may be allowed in all areas of the hotel where liquor may be consumed; however, the consumption must be incidental to the primary use of the area. These areas include, but are not limited to, tennis courts, hotel lobbies, and swimming pool areas. If an area is not a mixed-use area, and is primarily used for alcohol service, the area must be designated and restricted to access by persons of lawful age to purchase liquor.
(9) The annual fee for this license is $2,500.
(10) As used in this section, "hotel," "spirits," "beer," and "wine" have the meanings defined in RCW 66.24.410
and
66.04.010
.
[
2025 c 343 s 44
; (2022 c 116 s 3 expired December 31, 2023);
2021 c 6 s 14
;
2012 c 2 s 115
(Initiative Measure No. 1183, approved November 8, 2011);
2011 c 119 s 403
;
2008 c 41 s 11
;
2007 c 370 s 11
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2022 c 116 ss 2-20:
See note following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
Finding
—
Intent
—
2022 c 116:
See notes following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 6:
See note following RCW 66.24.140
.
Finding
—
Application
—
Rules
—
Effective date
—
Contingent effective date
—
2012 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1183):
See notes following RCW 66.24.620
.
Effective date
—
2008 c 41 ss 3, 10, and 11:
See note following RCW 66.20.310
.
Effective date
—
2007 c 370 ss 10-20:
See note following RCW 66.04.010
.
RCW 66.24.600
Nightclub license.
(1) There shall be a spirits, beer, and wine nightclub license to sell spirituous liquor by the drink, beer, and wine at retail, for consumption on the licensed premises.
(2) The license may be issued only to a person whose business includes the sale and service of alcohol to the person's customers, has food sales and service incidental to the sale and service of alcohol, and has primary business hours between 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
(3) Minors may be allowed on the licensed premises but only in areas where alcohol is not served or consumed.
(4) The annual fee for this license is $2,500. The fee for the license shall be reviewed from time to time and set at such a level sufficient to defray the cost of licensing and enforcing this licensing program. The fee shall be fixed by rule adopted by the board in accordance with the provisions of the administrative procedure act, chapter
34.05
RCW.
(5) Local governments may petition the board to request that further restrictions be imposed on a spirits, beer, and wine nightclub license in the interest of public safety. Examples of further restrictions a local government may request are: No minors allowed on the entire premises, submitting a security plan, or signing a good neighbor agreement with the local government.
(6) The total number of spirits, beer, and wine nightclub licenses are subject to the requirements of RCW 66.24.420
(4). However, the board shall refuse a spirits, beer, and wine nightclub license to any applicant if the board determines that the spirits, beer, and wine nightclub licenses already granted for the particular locality are adequate for the reasonable needs of the community.
(7) The board may adopt rules to implement this section.
[
2025 c 343 s 45
; (2022 c 116 s 4 expired December 31, 2023);
2021 c 6 s 15
;
2009 c 271 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2022 c 116 ss 2-20:
See note following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
Finding
—
Intent
—
2022 c 116:
See notes following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 6:
See note following RCW 66.24.140
.
RCW 66.24.610
VIP airport lounge operator.
There shall be a license to allow a VIP airport lounge operator to sell or otherwise provide spirits, wine, and beer solely for consumption on the premises of a VIP airport lounge. The license described in this section allows the VIP airport lounge operator to purchase spirits from the board, and to purchase beer and wine at retail outlets, or from the manufacturer or a distributor. No licensee may serve liquor from a bar where patrons may sit to be served, but may only serve liquor from a service bar, as approved by the board. The annual fee for this license shall be $2,500.
[
2025 c 343 s 46
;
2011 c 325 s 1
.]
RCW 66.24.620
Sale of spirits by a holder of a spirits distributor or spirits retail license
—
State liquor store closure.
(1) The holder of a spirits distributor license or spirits retail license issued under this title may commence sale of spirits upon issuance thereof, but in no event earlier than March 1, 2012, for distributors, or June 1, 2012, for retailers. The board must complete application processing by those dates of all complete applications for spirits licenses on file with the board on or before sixty days from December 8, 2011.
(2) The board must effect orderly closure of all state liquor stores no later than June 1, 2012, and must thereafter refrain from purchase, sale, or distribution of liquor, except for asset sales authorized by chapter 2, Laws of 2012.
(3) The board must devote sufficient resources to planning and preparation for sale of all assets of state liquor stores and distribution centers, and all other assets of the state over which the board has power of disposition, including without limitation goodwill and location value associated with state liquor stores, with the objective of depleting all inventory of liquor by May 31, 2012, and closing all other asset sales no later than June 1, 2013. The board, in furtherance of this subsection, may sell liquor to spirits licensees.
(4)(a) Disposition of any state liquor store or distribution center assets remaining after June 1, 2013, must be managed by the department of revenue.
(b) The board must obtain the maximum reasonable value for all asset sales made under this section.
(c) The board must sell by auction open to the public the right at each state-owned store location of a spirits retail licensee to operate a liquor store upon the premises. Such right must be freely alienable and subject to all state and local zoning and land use requirements applicable to the property. Acquisition of the operating rights must be a precondition to, but does not establish eligibility for, a spirits retail license at the location of a state store and does not confer any privilege conferred by a spirits retail license. Holding the rights does not require the holder of the right to operate a liquor-licensed business or apply for a liquor license.
(5) All sales proceeds under this section, net of direct sales expenses and other transition costs authorized by this section, must be deposited into the liquor revolving fund.
(6)(a) The board must complete the orderly transition from the current state-controlled system to the private licensee system of spirits retailing and distribution as required under this chapter by June 1, 2012.
(b) The transition must include, without limitation, a provision for applying operating and asset sale revenues of the board to just and reasonable measures to avert harm to interests of tribes, military buyers, and nonemployee liquor store operators under then existing contracts for supply by the board of distilled spirits, taking into account present value of issuance of a spirits retail license to the holder of such interest. The provision may extend beyond the time for completion of transition to a spirits licensee system.
(c) Purchases by the federal government from any licensee of the board of spirits for resale through commissaries at military installations are exempt from sales tax based on selling price levied by RCW 82.08.150
.
[
2012 c 2 s 102
(Initiative Measure No. 1183, approved November 8, 2011).]
NOTES:
Finding
—
2012 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1183):
"(1) The people of the state of Washington, in enacting this initiative measure, find that the state government monopoly on liquor distribution and liquor stores in Washington and the state government regulations that arbitrarily restrict the wholesale distribution and pricing of wine are outdated, inefficient, and costly to local taxpayers, consumers, distributors, and retailers. Therefore, the people wish to privatize and modernize both wholesale distribution and retail sales of liquor and remove outdated restrictions on the wholesale distribution of wine by enacting this initiative.
(2) This initiative will:
(a) Privatize and modernize wholesale distribution and retail sales of liquor in Washington state in a manner that will reduce state government costs and provide increased funding for state and local government services, while continuing to strictly regulate the distribution and sale of liquor;
(b) Get the state government out of the commercial business of distributing, selling, and promoting the sale of liquor, allowing the state to focus on the more appropriate government role of enforcing liquor laws and protecting public health and safety concerning all alcoholic beverages;
(c) Authorize the state to auction off its existing state liquor distribution and state liquor store facilities and equipment;
(d) Allow a private distributor of alcohol to get a license to distribute liquor if that distributor meets the requirements set by the Washington state liquor control board and is approved for a license by the board and create provisions to promote investments by private distributors;
(e) Require private distributors who get licenses to distribute liquor to pay ten percent of their gross spirits revenues to the state during the first two years and five percent of their gross spirits revenues to the state after the first two years;
(f) Allow for a limited number of retail stores to sell liquor if they meet public safety requirements set by this initiative and the liquor control board;
(g) Require that a retail store must have ten thousand square feet or more of fully enclosed retail space within a single structure in order to get a license to sell liquor, with limited exceptions;
(h) Require a retail store to demonstrate to state regulators that it can effectively prevent sales of alcohol to minors in order to get a license to sell liquor;
(i) Ensure that local communities have input before a liquor license can be issued to a local retailer or distributor and maintain all local zoning requirements and authority related to the location of liquor stores;
(j) Require private retailers who get licenses to sell liquor to pay seventeen percent of their gross spirits revenues to the state;
(k) Maintain the current distribution of liquor revenues to local governments and dedicate a portion of the new revenues raised from liquor license fees to increase funding for local public safety programs, including police, fire, and emergency services in communities throughout the state;
(l) Make the standard fines and license suspension penalties for selling liquor to minors twice as strong as the existing fines and penalties for selling beer or wine to minors;
(m) Make requirements for training and supervision of employees selling spirits at retail more stringent than what is now required for sales of beer and wine;
(n) Update the current law on wine distribution to allow wine distributors and wineries to give volume discounts on the wholesale price of wine to retail stores and restaurants; and
(o) Allow retailers and restaurants to distribute wine to their own stores from a central warehouse." [
2012 c 2 s 101
(Initiative Measure No. 1183, approved November 8, 2011).]
Application
—
2012 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1183):
"This act does not increase any tax, create any new tax, or eliminate any tax. Section 106 of this act applies to spirits licensees upon December 8, 2011, but all taxes presently imposed by RCW 82.08.150
on sales of spirits by or on behalf of the liquor control board continue to apply so long as the liquor control board makes any such sales." [
2012 c 2 s 301
(Initiative Measure No. 1183, approved November 8, 2011).]
Rules
—
2012 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1183):
"The department of revenue must develop rules and procedures to address claims that this act unconstitutionally impairs any contract with the state and to provide a means for reasonable compensation of claims it finds valid, funded first from revenues based on spirits licensing and sale under this act." [
2012 c 2 s 303
(Initiative Measure No. 1183, approved November 8, 2011).]
Effective date
—
Contingent effective date
—
2012 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1183):
"This act takes effect upon approval by the voters. Section 216, subsections (1) and (2) of this act take effect if Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 5942 is enacted by the legislature in 2011 and the bill, or any portion of it, becomes law. Section 216, subsection (3) of this act takes effect if any act or part of an act relating to the warehousing and distribution of liquor, including the lease of the state's liquor warehousing and distribution facilities, is adopted subsequent to May 25, 2011, in any 2011 special session." [
2012 c 2 s 305
(Initiative Measure No. 1183, approved November 8, 2011).]
RCW 66.24.630
Spirits retail license.
(1) There is a spirits retail license to: Sell spirits in original containers to consumers for consumption off the licensed premises and to permit holders; sell spirits in original containers to retailers licensed to sell spirits for consumption on the premises, for resale at their licensed premises according to the terms of their licenses; and export spirits.
(2) For the purposes of this title, a spirits retail license is a retail license, and a sale by a spirits retailer is a retail sale only if not for resale. Nothing in this title authorizes sales by on-sale licensees to other retail licensees. The board must establish by rule an obligation of on-sale spirits retailers to:
(a) Maintain a schedule by stock-keeping unit of all their purchases of spirits from spirits retail licensees, including combination spirits, beer, and wine licensees holding a license issued pursuant to RCW 66.24.035, indicating the identity of the seller and the quantities purchased; and
(b) Provide, not more frequently than quarterly, a report for each scheduled item containing the identity of the purchasing on-premises licensee and the quantities of that scheduled item purchased since any preceding report to:
(i) A distributor authorized by the distiller to distribute a scheduled item in the on-sale licensee's geographic area; or
(ii) A distiller acting as distributor of the scheduled item in the area.
(3)(a) Except as otherwise provided in (c) of this subsection, the board may issue spirits retail licenses only for premises comprising at least 10,000 square feet of fully enclosed retail space within a single structure, including storerooms and other interior auxiliary areas but excluding covered or fenced exterior areas, whether or not attached to the structure, and only to applicants that the board determines will maintain systems for inventory management, employee training, employee supervision, and physical security of the product substantially as effective as those of stores currently operated by the board with respect to preventing sales to or pilferage by underage or inebriated persons.
(b) License issuances and renewals are subject to RCW 66.24.010
and the regulations adopted thereunder, including without limitation rights of cities, towns, county legislative authorities, the public, churches, schools, and public institutions to object to or prevent issuance of local liquor licenses. However, existing grocery premises licensed to sell beer and/or wine are deemed to be premises "now licensed" under RCW 66.24.010
(9)(a) for the purpose of processing applications for spirits retail licenses.
(c) The board may not deny a spirits retail license to an otherwise qualified contract liquor store at its contract location or to the holder of former state liquor store operating rights sold at auction under RCW 66.24.620
on the grounds of location, nature, or size of the premises to be licensed. The board may not deny a spirits retail license to applicants that are not contract liquor stores or operating rights holders on the grounds of the size of the premises to be licensed, if such applicant is otherwise qualified and the board determines that:
(i) There is no spirits retail license holder in the trade area that the applicant proposes to serve;
(ii) The applicant meets, or upon licensure will meet, the operational requirements established by the board by rule; and
(iii) The licensee has not committed more than one public safety violation within the three years preceding application.
(d) A retailer authorized to sell spirits for consumption on or off the licensed premises may accept delivery of spirits at its licensed premises, at another licensed premises as designated by the retailer, or at one or more warehouse facilities registered with the board, which facilities may also warehouse and distribute nonliquor items, and from which the retailer may deliver to its own licensed premises and, pursuant to sales permitted under subsection (1) of this section:
(i) To other retailer premises licensed to sell spirits for consumption on the licensed premises;
(ii) To other registered facilities; or
(iii) To lawful purchasers outside the state. The facilities may be registered and utilized by associations, cooperatives, or comparable groups of retailers, including at least one retailer licensed to sell spirits.
(e) For purposes of negotiating volume discounts, a group of individual retailers authorized to sell spirits for consumption off the licensed premises may accept delivery of spirits at their individual licensed premises or at any one of the individual licensee's premises, or at a warehouse facility registered with the board.
(4)(a) Except as otherwise provided in RCW 66.24.632, section 2, chapter 48, Laws of 2021, or in (b) of this subsection, each spirits retail licensee must pay to the board, for deposit into the liquor revolving fund, a license issuance fee equivalent to 17 percent of all spirits sales revenues under the license, exclusive of taxes collected by the licensee and of sales of items on which a license fee payable under this section has otherwise been incurred. The board must establish rules setting forth the timing of such payments and reporting of sales dollar volume by the licensee, with payments required quarterly in arrears. The first payment is due October 1, 2012.
(b) This subsection (4) does not apply to craft distilleries for sales of spirits of the craft distillery's own production.
(5) In addition to the payment required under subsection (4) of this section, each licensee must pay an annual license renewal fee of $550. The board must periodically review and adjust the renewal fee as may be required to maintain it as comparable to annual license renewal fees for licenses to sell beer and wine not for consumption on the licensed premises. If required by law at the time, any increase of the annual renewal fee becomes effective only upon ratification by the legislature.
(6) As a condition to receiving and renewing a spirits retail license the licensee must provide training as prescribed by the board by rule for individuals who sell spirits or who manage others who sell spirits regarding compliance with laws and regulations regarding sale of spirits, including without limitation the prohibitions against sale of spirits to individuals who are underage or visibly intoxicated. The training must be provided before the individual first engages in the sale of spirits and must be renewed at least every five years. The licensee must maintain records documenting the nature and frequency of the training provided. An employee training program is presumptively sufficient if it incorporates a "responsible vendor program" adopted by the board.
(7) The maximum penalties prescribed by the board in WAC 314-29-020 through 314-29-040 relating to fines and suspensions are doubled for violations relating to the sale of spirits by spirits retail licensees.
(8)(a) The board must adopt regulations concerning the adoption and administration of a compliance training program for spirits retail licensees, to be known as a "responsible vendor program," to reduce underage drinking, encourage licensees to adopt specific best practices to prevent sales to minors, and provide licensees with an incentive to give their employees ongoing training in responsible alcohol sales and service.
(b) Licensees who join the responsible vendor program under this section and maintain all of the program's requirements are not subject to the doubling of penalties provided in this section for a single violation in any period of 12 calendar months.
(c) The responsible vendor program must be free, voluntary, and self-monitoring.
(d) To participate in the responsible vendor program, licensees must submit an application form to the board. If the application establishes that the licensee meets the qualifications to join the program, the board must send the licensee a membership certificate.
(e) A licensee participating in the responsible vendor program must at a minimum:
(i) Provide ongoing training to employees;
(ii) Accept only certain forms of identification for alcohol sales;
(iii) Adopt policies on alcohol sales and checking identification;
(iv) Post specific signs in the business; and
(v) Keep records verifying compliance with the program's requirements.
(f)(i) A spirits retail licensee that also holds a grocery store license under RCW 66.24.360
or a beer and/or wine specialty shop license under RCW 66.24.371
may, upon board approval and pursuant to board rules, transition to a combination spirits, beer, and wine license pursuant to RCW 66.24.035
.
(ii) An applicant that would qualify for a spirits retail license under this section and that qualifies for a combination spirits, beer, and wine license pursuant to RCW 66.24.035
may apply for a license pursuant to RCW 66.24.035
instead of applying for a spirits retail license under this section.
[
2025 c 343 s 47
;
2025 c 95 s 4
;
2021 c 48 s 5
;
2020 c 238 s 9
;
2017 c 96 s 4
;
2015 c 186 s 1
;
2012 2nd sp.s. c 6 s 401
;
2012 c 2 s 103
(Initiative Measure No. 1183, approved November 8, 2011).]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
This section was amended by 2025 c 95 s 4 and by 2025 c 343 s 47, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025
(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025
(1).
Findings
—
Intent
—
Expiration of temporary authorization
—
Customer identification
—
Food requirements
—
Effective date
—
2021 c 48:
See notes following RCW 66.08.071
.
Tax preference performance statement and expiration exemption
—
2021 c 48:
See note following RCW 82.08.150
.
Existing rights, liabilities, or obligations
—
Effective dates
—
Contingent effective dates
—
2012 2nd sp.s. c 6:
See notes following RCW 82.04.29005
.
Finding
—
Application
—
Rules
—
Effective date
—
Contingent effective date
—
2012 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1183):
See notes following RCW 66.24.620
.
RCW 66.24.632
Spirits retail licensee
—
Combination spirits, beer, and wine licensee
—
License issuance fee exemption.
(1) Beginning June 30, 2013, the license issuance fee under RCW 66.24.630
(4) does not apply to a spirits retail licensee or combination spirits, beer, and wine licensee that was a contract liquor store manager with respect to sales of spirits in original containers from the location of its spirits retail licensed premises to retailers licensed to sell spirits for consumption on the premises for resale at their licensed premises.
(2) Beginning June 30, 2013, the license issuance fee under RCW 66.24.630
(4) does not apply to a spirits retail licensee or combination spirits, beer, and wine licensee that was a former state store auction buyer, with respect to sales of spirits in original containers from the location of its spirits retail licensed premises to retailers licensed to sell spirits for consumption on the premises for resale at their licensed premises.
(3) The exemptions created in this section attach to any successor, by purchase or otherwise, to the spirits retail license or combination beer and wine license, except that an exemption does not attach to any such successor that owns, directly or indirectly, any interest in a spirits retail license that is not derived directly from a former contract liquor store manager or a former state store auction buyer.
[
2017 c 96 s 6
;
2013 2nd sp.s. c 12 s 3
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2013 2nd sp.s. c 12:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [June 30, 2013]." [
2013 2nd sp.s. c 12 s 4
.]
RCW 66.24.640
Licensed distillers operating as spirits retailers/distributors.
Any distiller licensed under this title may act as a retailer and/or distributor to retailers selling for consumption on or off the licensed premises of spirits of its own production, and any manufacturer, importer, or bottler of spirits holding a certificate of approval may act as a distributor of spirits it is entitled to import into the state under such certificate. The board must by rule provide for issuance of certificates of approval to spirits suppliers. An industry member operating as a distributor and/or retailer under this section must comply with the applicable laws and rules relating to distributors and/or retailers, except that an industry member operating as a distributor under this section may maintain a warehouse off the distillery premises for the distribution of bottled spirits of its own production to spirits retailers within the state and for bottled foreign-made spirits that such distillery is entitled to distribute under this title, if the warehouse is within the United States and has been approved by the board.
[
2017 c 229 s 2
;
2012 c 2 s 206
(Initiative Measure No. 1183, approved November 8, 2011).]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Application
—
Rules
—
Effective date
—
Contingent effective date
—
2012 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1183):
See notes following RCW 66.24.620
.
RCW 66.24.650
Theater license
—
Beer, strong beer, and wine.
(1) There is a theater license to sell beer, including strong beer, or wine, or both, at retail, for consumption on theater premises. The annual fee is $600 for a beer and wine theater license.
(2) If the theater premises is to be frequented by minors, an alcohol control plan must be submitted to the board at the time of application. The alcohol control plan must be approved by the board, and be prominently posted on the premises, prior to minors being allowed.
(3) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Alcohol control plan" means a written, dated, and signed plan submitted to the board by an applicant or licensee for the entire theater premises, or rooms or areas therein, that shows where and when alcohol is permitted, where and when minors are permitted, and the control measures used to ensure that minors are not able to obtain alcohol or be exposed to environments where drinking alcohol predominates.
(b) "Theater" means a place of business where motion pictures or other primarily nonparticipatory entertainment are shown, and includes only theaters with up to four screens.
(4) The board must adopt rules regarding alcohol control plans and necessary control measures to ensure that minors are not able to obtain alcohol or be exposed to areas where drinking alcohol predominates. All alcohol control plans must include a requirement that any person involved in the serving of beer and/or wine must have completed a mandatory alcohol server training program.
(5)(a) A licensee that is an entity that is exempt from taxation under Title 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3) of the federal internal revenue code of 1986, as amended as of January 1, 2013, may enter into arrangements with a beer or wine manufacturer, importer, or distributor for brand advertising at the theater or promotion of events held at the theater. The financial arrangements providing for the brand advertising or promotion of events may not be used as an inducement to purchase the products of the manufacturer, importer, or distributor entering into the arrangement and such arrangements may not result in the exclusion of brands or products of other companies.
(b) The arrangements allowed under this subsection (5) are an exception to arrangements prohibited under RCW 66.28.305
. The board must monitor the impacts of these arrangements. The board may conduct audits of a licensee and the affiliated business to determine compliance with this subsection (5). Audits may include, but are not limited to: Product selection at the facility; purchase patterns of the licensee; contracts with the beer or wine manufacturer, importer, or distributor; and the amount allocated or used for wine or beer advertising by the licensee, affiliated business, manufacturer, importer, or distributor under the arrangements.
(6) The maximum penalties prescribed by the board in WAC 314-29-020 relating to fines and suspensions are double for violations involving minors or the failure to follow the alcohol control plan with respect to theaters licensed under this section.
[
2025 c 343 s 48
; (2022 c 116 s 19 expired December 31, 2023);
2021 c 6 s 16
;
2013 c 219 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2022 c 116 ss 2-20:
See note following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
Finding
—
Intent
—
2022 c 116:
See notes following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 6:
See note following RCW 66.24.140
.
RCW 66.24.655
Theater license
—
Spirits, beer, strong beer, and wine.
(1) There is a theater license to sell spirits, beer, including strong beer, or wine, or all, at retail, for consumption on theater premises. A spirits, beer, and wine theater license may be issued only to theaters that have no more than 120 seats per screen and that are maintained in a substantial manner as a place for preparing, cooking, and serving complete meals and providing tabletop accommodations for in-theater dining. Requirements for complete meals are the same as those adopted by the board in rules pursuant to chapter
34.05
RCW for a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license authorized by RCW 66.24.400
. The annual fee for a spirits, beer, and wine theater license is $2,500.
(2) If the theater premises is to be frequented by minors, an alcohol control plan must be submitted to the board at the time of application. The alcohol control plan must be approved by the board and be prominently posted on the premises, prior to minors being allowed.
(3) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "Alcohol control plan" means a written, dated, and signed plan submitted to the board by an applicant or licensee for the entire theater premises, or rooms or areas therein, that shows where and when alcohol is permitted, where and when minors are permitted, and the control measures used to ensure that minors are not able to obtain alcohol or be exposed to environments where drinking alcohol predominates.
(b) "Theater" means a place of business where motion pictures or other primarily nonparticipatory entertainment are shown.
(4) The board must adopt rules regarding alcohol control plans and necessary control measures to ensure that minors are not able to obtain alcohol or be exposed to areas where drinking alcohol predominates. All alcohol control plans must include a requirement that any person involved in the serving of spirits, beer, and/or wine must have completed a mandatory alcohol server training program.
(5)(a) A licensee that is an entity that is exempt from taxation under Title 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3) of the federal internal revenue code of 1986, as amended as of January 1, 2013, may enter into arrangements with a spirits, beer, or wine manufacturer, importer, or distributor for brand advertising at the theater or promotion of events held at the theater. The financial arrangements providing for the brand advertising or promotion of events may not be used as an inducement to purchase the products of the manufacturer, importer, or distributor entering into the arrangement and such arrangements may not result in the exclusion of brands or products of other companies.
(b) The arrangements allowed under this subsection (5) are an exception to arrangements prohibited under RCW 66.28.305
. The board must monitor the impacts of these arrangements. The board may conduct audits of a licensee and the affiliated business to determine compliance with this subsection (5). Audits may include, but are not limited to: Product selection at the facility; purchase patterns of the licensee; contracts with the spirits, beer, or wine manufacturer, importer, or distributor; and the amount allocated or used for spirits, beer, or wine advertising by the licensee, affiliated business, manufacturer, importer, or distributor under the arrangements.
(6) The maximum penalties prescribed by the board in WAC 314-29-020 relating to fines and suspensions are double for violations involving minors or the failure to follow the alcohol control plan with respect to theaters licensed under this section.
[
2025 c 343 s 49
; (2022 c 116 s 5 expired December 31, 2023);
2021 c 6 s 17
;
2013 c 237 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2022 c 116 ss 2-20:
See note following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
Finding
—
Intent
—
2022 c 116:
See notes following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 6:
See note following RCW 66.24.140
.
RCW 66.24.660
Liquor sales at self-checkout registers.
Retailers may sell liquor as defined in RCW 66.04.010
through self-checkout registers if that register is programmed to halt that transaction during the purchase of liquor until an employee of the retailer intervenes and verifies the age of the purchaser by reviewing established forms of acceptable identification. Once age is successfully verified, the employee can release the transaction for payment. If the purchaser cannot provide acceptable forms of identification to verify age, the employee must refuse the purchase and void the transaction.
[
2023 c 279 s 5
;
2013 c 89 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2023 c 279:
See note following RCW 66.24.710
.
RCW 66.24.670
Liquor sampling activities.
(1) The holder of a spirits retail license that is also a participant in the responsible vendor program, created under RCW 66.24.630, may provide, free or for a charge, single-serving samples of one-half ounce or less of spirits, and no more than a total of one and one-half ounces in spirits samples per person, for the purpose of sale promotion. Servers who provide spirit samples must hold a class 12 alcohol server permit. Sampling conducted under this section must be conducted in accordance with rules established for sampling activities in beer and wine specialty shops and grocery stores.
(2) Sampling activities under this section are subject to RCW 66.28.305
and
66.28.040
and the cost of sampling under this section may not be borne, directly or indirectly, by any manufacturer, importer, distiller, or distributor of spirits.
[
2013 c 234 s 1
.]
RCW 66.24.675
Beer and wine sampling on licensee premises.
(1) Except as provided in RCW 66.24.170, 66.24.175, 66.24.363, and
66.24.371
any licensee authorized under this chapter to serve beer on tap or wine for consumption on the premises may provide samples of beer and wine free of charge for consumption on the premises.
(2) Each sample provided under this section must be two ounces or less. A licensee may provide a maximum of four ounces of samples per customer per day.
[
2015 c 180 s 1
.]
RCW 66.24.680
Senior center license.
(1) There shall be a license to be designated as a senior center license. This shall be a license issued to a nonprofit organization whose primary service is providing recreational and social activities for seniors on the licensed premises. This license shall permit the licensee to sell spirits by the individual glass, including mixed drinks and cocktails mixed on the premises only, beer and wine, at retail for consumption on the premises.
(2) To qualify for this license, the applicant entity must:
(a) Be a nonprofit organization under chapter
24.03A
RCW;
(b) Be open at times and durations established by the board; and
(c) Provide limited food service as defined by the board.
(3) All alcohol servers must have a valid mandatory alcohol server training permit.
(4) The board shall adopt rules to implement this section.
(5) The annual fee for this license shall be $720.
[
2025 c 343 s 50
. Prior: (2022 c 116 s 20 expired December 31, 2023);
2021 c 176 s 5235
;
2021 c 6 s 18
;
2014 c 78 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2022 c 116 ss 2-20:
See note following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
Finding
—
Intent
—
2022 c 116:
See notes following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 176:
See note following RCW 24.03A.005
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 6:
See note following RCW 66.24.140
.
RCW 66.24.690
Caterer's license.
(Effective until December 31, 2027.)
(1) There shall be a caterer's license to sell spirits, beer, and wine, by the individual serving, at retail, for consumption on the premises at an event location that is either owned, leased, or operated either by the caterer or the sponsor of the event for which catering services are being provided. If the event is open to the public, except as provided in RCW 66.24.800
(3), it must be sponsored by a society or organization as defined in RCW 66.24.375
. If attendance at the event is limited to members or invited guests of the sponsoring individual, society, or organization, the requirement that the sponsor must be a society or organization as defined in RCW 66.24.375
is waived. The licensee must serve food as required by rules of the board.
(2) The annual fee is $300 for the beer license, $300 for the wine license, or $600 for a combination beer and wine license. The annual fee for a combined beer, wine, and spirits license is $1,500.
(3) The holder of this license shall notify the board or its designee of the date, time, place, and location of any catered event at which liquor will be served, sold, or consumed. The board shall create rules detailing notification requirements. Upon request, the licensee shall provide to the board all necessary or requested information concerning the individual, society, or organization that will be holding the catered function at which the caterer's liquor license will be utilized.
(4) The holder of this license may, under conditions established by the board, store liquor on other premises operated by the licensee so long as the other premises are owned or controlled by a leasehold interest by that licensee.
(5) The holder of this license is prohibited from catering events at locations that are already licensed to sell liquor under this chapter.
(6) The holder of this license is responsible for all sales, service, and consumption of alcohol at the location of the catered event.
[
2025 c 361 s 7
;
2025 c 343 s 51
; (2022 c 116 s 6 expired December 31, 2023);
2021 c 6 s 19
;
2014 c 29 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Reviser's note:
This section was amended by 2025 c 343 s 51 and by 2025 c 361 s 7, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025
(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025
(1).
Finding
—
Intent
—
Expiration date
—
2025 c 361:
See notes following RCW 66.24.800
.
Expiration date
—
2022 c 116 ss 2-20:
See note following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
Finding
—
Intent
—
2022 c 116:
See notes following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 6:
See note following RCW 66.24.140
.
PDF
RCW 66.24.690
Caterer's license.
(Effective December 31, 2027.)
(1) There shall be a caterer's license to sell spirits, beer, and wine, by the individual serving, at retail, for consumption on the premises at an event location that is either owned, leased, or operated either by the caterer or the sponsor of the event for which catering services are being provided. If the event is open to the public, it must be sponsored by a society or organization as defined in RCW 66.24.375
. If attendance at the event is limited to members or invited guests of the sponsoring individual, society, or organization, the requirement that the sponsor must be a society or organization as defined in RCW 66.24.375
is waived. The licensee must serve food as required by rules of the board.
(2) The annual fee is $300 for the beer license, $300 for the wine license, or $600 for a combination beer and wine license. The annual fee for a combined beer, wine, and spirits license is $1,500.
(3) The holder of this license shall notify the board or its designee of the date, time, place, and location of any catered event at which liquor will be served, sold, or consumed. The board shall create rules detailing notification requirements. Upon request, the licensee shall provide to the board all necessary or requested information concerning the individual, society, or organization that will be holding the catered function at which the caterer's liquor license will be utilized.
(4) The holder of this license may, under conditions established by the board, store liquor on other premises operated by the licensee so long as the other premises are owned or controlled by a leasehold interest by that licensee.
(5) The holder of this license is prohibited from catering events at locations that are already licensed to sell liquor under this chapter.
(6) The holder of this license is responsible for all sales, service, and consumption of alcohol at the location of the catered event.
[
2025 c 343 s 51
; (2022 c 116 s 6 expired December 31, 2023);
2021 c 6 s 19
;
2014 c 29 s 1
.]
NOTES:
Expiration date
—
2022 c 116 ss 2-20:
See note following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
Finding
—
Intent
—
2022 c 116:
See notes following RCW 66.24.420
.
Effective date
—
2021 c 6:
See note following RCW 66.24.140
.
RCW 66.24.695
Bonded and nonbonded spirits warehouse license.
(1) There shall be a bonded and nonbonded spirits warehouse license for spirits warehouses that authorizes the storage and handling of bonded bulk spirits and, to the extent allowed under federal law and under rules adopted by the board, bottled spirits and the storage of tax-paid spirits not in bond. Under this license a licensee may maintain a warehouse for the storage of federally authorized spirits off the premises of a distillery for distillers qualified under RCW 66.24.140, 66.24.145, or
66.24.150, or entities otherwise licensed and permitted in this state, or bulk spirits transferred in bond from out-of-state distilleries and, to the extent allowed by federal law and under rules adopted by the board, bottled spirits, if the storage of the federally authorized spirits transferred into the state is for storage only and not for processing or bottling in the bonded spirits warehouse. A licensee must designate clearly in its license application to the board the sections of the warehouse that are bonded and nonbonded with a physical separation between such spaces. Only spirits in bond may be stored in the bonded sections of the warehouse and only spirits that have been removed from bond tax-paid may be stored in nonbonded areas of the warehouse. The proprietor of the warehouse must maintain a plan for tracking spirits being stored in the warehouse to ensure compliance with relevant bonding and tax obligations.
(2) The board must adopt similar qualifications for a spirits warehouse licensed under this section as required for obtaining a distillery license as specified in RCW 66.24.140, 66.24.145, and
66.24.150
. A licensee must be a sole proprietor, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, a port authority, a city, a county, or any other public entity or subdivision of the state that elects to license a bonded spirits warehouse as an agricultural or economic development activity. One or more domestic distilleries or manufacturers may operate as a partnership, corporation, business co-op, cotenant, or agricultural co-op for the purpose of obtaining a bonded and nonbonded spirits warehouse license or storing spirits in the facility under a common management and oversight agreement free of charge or for a fee.
(3) Spirits in bond may be removed from a bonded spirits warehouse for the purpose of being:
(a) Exported from the state;
(b) Returned to a distillery or spirits warehouse licensed under this section; or
(c) Transferred to a distillery, spirits warehouse licensed under this section, or a licensed bottling or packaging facility.
(4) Bottled spirits that are being removed from a spirits warehouse licensed under this section tax-paid may be:
(a) Transferred back to the distillery that produced them;
(b) Shipped to a licensed Washington spirits distributor;
(c) Shipped to a licensed Washington spirits retailer;
(d) Exported from the state; or
(e) Removed for direct shipping to a consumer pursuant to RCW 66.20.410
.
(5) The ownership and operation of a spirits warehouse facility licensed under this section may be by a person or entity other than those described in this section acting in a commercial warehouse management position under contract for such licensed persons or entities on their behalf.
(6) A license applicant must demonstrate the right to have warehoused spirits under a valid federal permit held by a licensee who maintains ownership and title to the spirits while they are in storage in the spirits warehouse licensed under this section. The fee for this license is $150 per year.
(7) The board must adopt rules requiring a spirits warehouse licensed under this section to be physically secure, zoned for the intended use, and physically separated from any other use.
(8) The operator or licensee operating a spirits warehouse licensed under this section must submit to the board a monthly report of movement of spirits to and from a warehouse licensed under this section in a form prescribed by the board. The board may adopt other necessary procedures by which such warehouses are licensed and regulated.
(9) The board may require a single annual permit valid for a full calendar year issued to each licensee or entity warehousing spirits under this section that allows for unlimited transfers to and from such warehouse within that year. The fee for this permit is $150 per year.
(10) Handling of bottled spirits that have been removed from bond tax-paid and that reside in the spirits warehouse licensed under this section includes packaging and repackaging services; bottle labeling services; creating baskets or variety packs that may or may not include nonspirits products; and picking, packing, and shipping spirits orders on behalf of a licensed distillery direct to consumers in accordance with RCW 66.20.410
. A distillery contracting with the operator of a spirits warehouse licensed under this section for handling bottled spirits must comply with all applicable state and federal laws and is responsible for financial transactions in direct to consumer shipping activities.
[
2025 c 343 s 52
;
2017 c 229 s 1
.]
RCW 66.24.700
Gift certificates.
(1) Any licensee authorized to sell at retail under this chapter may sell gift certificates and gift cards intended to be exchanged for consumer goods or services, including liquor sold by the licensee. The licensee may also sell the gift certificates and gift cards to or through a third-party retailer for resale to the public. Gift certificates and gift cards may not be redeemed for alcohol by persons under the age of twenty-one.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "gift certificate" and "gift cards" have the same meaning as provided in RCW 19.240.010
.
[
2015 c 194 s 5
.]
RCW 66.24.710
Takeout or delivery.
(Effective until December 31, 2027.)
(1)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, the following licensees may sell alcohol products at retail for takeout or delivery or both under liquor and cannabis board licenses and endorsements: Beer and wine restaurants; spirits, beer, and wine restaurants; taverns; domestic wineries; domestic breweries and microbreweries; distilleries; snack bars; nonprofit arts licensees; and caterers.
(b) No alcohol products may be sold by delivery under this section after July 1, 2025.
(2) Spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees may sell premixed cocktails for takeout and, until July 1, 2025, for delivery. The board may establish by rule the manner in which premixed cocktails for off-premises consumption must be provided. This subsection does not authorize the sale of bottles of spirits by licensees for off-premises consumption.
(3) Spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees may sell wine by the glass or premixed wine and spirits cocktails for takeout and, until July 1, 2025, delivery. Beer and wine restaurant licensees may sell wine or premixed wine drinks by the glass for takeout and, until July 1, 2025, delivery. The board may establish by rule the manner in which wine by the glass and premixed cocktails for off-premises consumption must be provided.
(4) Licensees that were authorized by statute or rule before January 1, 2020, to sell growlers for on-premises consumption may sell growlers for off-premises consumption through takeout or, until July 1, 2025, delivery. Sale of growlers under this subsection must meet federal alcohol and tobacco tax and trade bureau requirements.
(5)(a) Licensees must obtain from the board an endorsement to their license in order to conduct activities authorized under subsections (1) through (4) of this section. The board may adopt rules governing the manner in which the activities authorized under this section must be conducted. Licensees must not be charged a fee in order to obtain an endorsement required under this section.
(b)(i) Alcohol delivery under this section must be performed by an employee of an alcohol delivery endorsement holder who is 21 years of age or older and possesses a class 12 permit, in accordance with RCW 66.20.310
.
(ii) Delivery services conducted by beer and wine restaurant licensees and spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees under this section must be accompanied by a purchased meal prepared and sold by the license holder.
(c) Alcohol sold for takeout by beer and wine restaurant licensees and spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees under this section must be accompanied by a purchased meal prepared and sold by the license holder.
(d) Any alcohol product sold for takeout or delivery under this section must be in a factory sealed container or a tamper-resistant container.
(6) Beer and wine specialty shops licensed under RCW 66.24.371
and domestic breweries and microbreweries may sell prefilled growlers for off-premises consumption through takeout and, until July 1, 2025, delivery, provided that prefilled growlers are sold the same day they are prepared for sale and not stored overnight for sale on future days.
(7) Subject to RCW 66.24.800, the board must adopt or revise current rules to allow for outdoor service of alcohol by on-premises licensees holding licenses issued by the board for the following license types: Beer and wine restaurants; spirits, beer, and wine restaurants; taverns; domestic wineries; domestic breweries and microbreweries; distilleries; snack bars; private clubs licensed under RCW 66.24.450
and
66.24.452
; and special occasion licensees under RCW 66.24.380
. The board may adopt requirements providing for clear accountability at locations where multiple licensees use a shared space for serving customers, and at locations where a licensee or licensees use a shared space with another business or businesses that do not engage in the sale or service of alcohol under RCW 66.24.800
.
(8) Upon delivery of any alcohol product authorized to be delivered under this section, the signature of the person age 21 or over receiving the delivery must be obtained.
(9) For the purposes of this section, "growlers" means sanitary containers brought to the premises by the purchaser or furnished by the licensee and filled by the retailer at the time of sale.
[
2025 c 361 s 4
;
2023 c 279 s 1
;
2021 c 48 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Intent
—
Expiration date
—
2025 c 361:
See notes following RCW 66.24.800
.
Effective date
—
2023 c 279:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2023." [
2023 c 279 s 8
.]
PDF
RCW 66.24.710
Takeout or delivery.
(Effective December 31, 2027.)
(1)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, the following licensees may sell alcohol products at retail for takeout or delivery or both under liquor and cannabis board licenses and endorsements: Beer and wine restaurants; spirits, beer, and wine restaurants; taverns; domestic wineries; domestic breweries and microbreweries; distilleries; snack bars; nonprofit arts licensees; and caterers.
(b) No alcohol products may be sold by delivery under this section after July 1, 2025.
(2) Spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees may sell premixed cocktails for takeout and, until July 1, 2025, for delivery. The board may establish by rule the manner in which premixed cocktails for off-premises consumption must be provided. This subsection does not authorize the sale of bottles of spirits by licensees for off-premises consumption.
(3) Spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees may sell wine by the glass or premixed wine and spirits cocktails for takeout and, until July 1, 2025, delivery. Beer and wine restaurant licensees may sell wine or premixed wine drinks by the glass for takeout and, until July 1, 2025, delivery. The board may establish by rule the manner in which wine by the glass and premixed cocktails for off-premises consumption must be provided.
(4) Licensees that were authorized by statute or rule before January 1, 2020, to sell growlers for on-premises consumption may sell growlers for off-premises consumption through takeout or, until July 1, 2025, delivery. Sale of growlers under this subsection must meet federal alcohol and tobacco tax and trade bureau requirements.
(5)(a) Licensees must obtain from the board an endorsement to their license in order to conduct activities authorized under subsections (1) through (4) of this section. The board may adopt rules governing the manner in which the activities authorized under this section must be conducted. Licensees must not be charged a fee in order to obtain an endorsement required under this section.
(b)(i) Alcohol delivery under this section must be performed by an employee of an alcohol delivery endorsement holder who is 21 years of age or older and possesses a class 12 permit, in accordance with RCW 66.20.310
.
(ii) Delivery services conducted by beer and wine restaurant licensees and spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees under this section must be accompanied by a purchased meal prepared and sold by the license holder.
(c) Alcohol sold for takeout by beer and wine restaurant licensees and spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees under this section must be accompanied by a purchased meal prepared and sold by the license holder.
(d) Any alcohol product sold for takeout or delivery under this section must be in a factory sealed container or a tamper-resistant container.
(6) Beer and wine specialty shops licensed under RCW 66.24.371
and domestic breweries and microbreweries may sell prefilled growlers for off-premises consumption through takeout and, until July 1, 2025, delivery, provided that prefilled growlers are sold the same day they are prepared for sale and not stored overnight for sale on future days.
(7) The board must adopt or revise current rules to allow for outdoor service of alcohol by on-premises licensees holding licenses issued by the board for the following license types: Beer and wine restaurants; spirits, beer, and wine restaurants; taverns; domestic wineries; domestic breweries and microbreweries; distilleries; snack bars; and private clubs licensed under RCW 66.24.450
and
66.24.452
. The board may adopt requirements providing for clear accountability at locations where multiple licensees use a shared space for serving customers.
(8) Upon delivery of any alcohol product authorized to be delivered under this section, the signature of the person age 21 or over receiving the delivery must be obtained.
(9) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Board" means the liquor and cannabis board.
(b) "Growlers" means sanitary containers brought to the premises by the purchaser or furnished by the licensee and filled by the retailer at the time of sale.
[
2023 c 279 s 1
;
2021 c 48 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Effective date
—
2023 c 279:
"This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2023." [
2023 c 279 s 8
.]
RCW 66.24.720
Exposure of body parts and sexually oriented conduct.
(1) The board may not adopt a rule or enforce any such rule restricting the exposure of body parts by any licensee under this title, its employees or patrons, or any other person under the control or direction of the licensee or an employee, or otherwise restricting sexually oriented conduct of any licensee under this title, its employees or patrons, or any other person under the control or direction of the licensee or an employee.
(2) This section may not be construed to permit conduct that is otherwise prohibited under other statutes in the Revised Code of Washington.
[
2024 c 250 s 4
.]
NOTES:
Rule repeal
—
2024 c 250:
"The liquor and cannabis board shall repeal WAC 314-11-050 in its entirety. The liquor and cannabis board is preempted from adopting any similar rule as provided under section 4 of this act." [
2024 c 250 s 5
.]
RCW 66.24.800
Expanded outdoor alcohol service
—
Requirements.
(Expires December 31, 2027.)
(1)(a) Beginning on July 27, 2025, until December 31, 2027, and subject to (d) of this subsection (1) and subsection (5) of this section, a city, town, county, or port authority may request, and the board may approve, expanded outdoor alcohol service for liquor licensees within the whole city, town, county, or port authority, or within a specific area or areas of the city, town, county, or port authority as provided in (b) and (c) of this subsection (1). If requested by a county, the approval may only be for unincorporated areas of the county.
(b) For licensees identified in (c) of this subsection (1) who have requested approval from and been authorized by the board's licensing division to conduct outdoor alcohol service, and who are located within an area of a city, town, or county that has been approved by the board for expanded outdoor alcohol service, the following authorizations and requirements apply until December 31, 2027:
(i) All outdoor alcohol service areas may be enclosed, at the licensee's discretion, by means of a permanent or movable barrier or by means of a permanent fence-free demarcation;
(ii) For an outdoor alcohol service area enclosed by means of a permanent or movable barrier of a minimum height specified by the board, the permanent or movable barrier is not required to meet minimum height requirements on sloped site conditions;
(iii) The openings into and out of an outdoor alcohol service area may be up to a maximum distance apart as determined appropriate by the applicable city, town, or county;
(iv) Licensees may share use of an outdoor alcohol service area with other licensees and licensees may share use of an outdoor alcohol service area with businesses that do not engage in the sale or service of alcohol, subject to requirements of the board. All participating licensees are jointly responsible for any violation or enforcement issues unless it can be demonstrated that the violation or enforcement issue was due to one or more licensee's specific conduct or action, in which case the violation or enforcement applies only to those identified licensees; and
(v) An employee of the licensee must be assigned to, but is not required to be in, the outdoor alcohol service area at all times that patrons are present. A direct line of sight is not required from inside the licensed premises to the outdoor alcohol service area.
(c) The authorization in this subsection (1) is available to the following liquor licensees: Beer and wine restaurants; spirits, beer, and wine restaurants; taverns; domestic wineries; domestic breweries and microbreweries; distilleries; and snack bars.
(d) A city, town, county, or port authority that requests and is approved for expanded outdoor alcohol service shall provide, and document the provision of:
(i) Adequate local resources, including law enforcement patrols in the area, to ensure safe operations of activities and the safety of the community; and
(ii) Services to keep the area of the jurisdiction in which the activities occur clean and free of litter or other remnants of the use of public spaces for expanded outdoor alcohol service.
(2)(a) A city with a population of more than 220,000 may request, and the board may approve, expanded alcohol service during events on a publicly owned civic campus in the city, as provided in (b) through (f) of this subsection (2) and subject to subsection (5) of this section. No more than 25 events per year, up to seven of which may be multiday events, may be authorized for a city under this subsection (2).
(b) Multiple licensees located on a publicly owned civic campus in a city with a population of more than 220,000 that has been approved under (a) of this subsection (2) may share an alcohol service area encompassing the entire publicly owned civic campus, or part of the publicly owned civic campus, so long as:
(i) The board approves of the event perimeter enclosing the alcohol service area;
(ii) Security and physical barriers are provided at all entry points to the event;
(iii) The campus operator notifies the board within a minimum time required by the board in rule before the event begins;
(iv) Signage is conspicuously posted during the event notifying the public that the area is in use as an expanded alcohol service area and public notice of the upcoming use of the area as an expanded alcohol service area was conspicuously posted at least seven days in advance; and
(v) All participating licensees submit a joint operating plan to the board for approval, in a format designated by the board, that describes: (A) How the licensees will prevent the sale and service of alcohol to persons under 21 years of age and those who appear to be intoxicated; (B) the ratio of alcohol service staff and security staff to the anticipated number of attendees, subject to a ratio requirement that may be set by the board; (C) training provided to staff who serve, regulate, or supervise the service of alcohol including that alcohol server training is required for all such staff; (D) the licensees' policy on the number of alcoholic beverages that will be served to an individual patron during one transaction, subject to a limit determined by the board; (E) an explanation of the alcoholic beverage containers that will be used to ensure they are significantly different from containers used from nonalcoholic beverages; (F) the barriers or demarcations to be used for an alcohol service area or event perimeter; and (G) other information required by the board in rule.
(c) At the board's discretion, violations of (b)(iii) or (iv) of this subsection can be cause for denial of approval of events conducted under this subsection and violations of (b)(iv) of this subsection can also be cause for denial of a license of the participating licensees or denial of participation in future events under this section.
(d) Multiple licensees located on a publicly owned civic campus in a city with a population of more than 220,000 that has been approved under (a) of this subsection (2) may share an indoor alcohol service area at certain times authorized by the campus operator, so long as:
(i) The campus operator notifies the board at least seven days in advance of the date licensees intend to begin operating the shared indoor alcohol service area;
(ii) The campus operator ensures security and physical barriers are provided at all entry points to the indoor alcohol service area; and
(iii) The licensees submit a joint operating plan to the board for approval meeting the requirements of (b)(v) of this subsection (2).
(e) With respect to multiple licensees sharing an alcohol service area as authorized under (b) or (d) of this subsection (2), all participating licensees are jointly responsible for any violation or enforcement issues unless it can be demonstrated that the violation or enforcement issue was due to one or more licensee's specific conduct or action, in which case the violation or enforcement applies only to those identified licensees.
(f) During the times a licensee is operating under the authorization in this subsection (2) or subsection (4) of this section, the licensee may:
(i) Operate without a permit from their local jurisdiction that may otherwise be required to allow the business to use the public space as an alcohol service area;
(ii) Share an alcohol service area with another licensee: (A) Without individually requesting approval from the board's licensing division; and (B) regardless of whether the licensees' property parcels or buildings are located in direct physical proximity to one another; and
(iii) Sell and serve alcohol to customers from an alcohol service area without offering food service menu options, except that any required food service must still be provided within the licensed premises, and in any preexisting alcohol service area operated by the licensee under the board's rules that does not rely on the authorization in this section, if the preexisting alcohol service area remains in place during an event.
(3)(a) The authorization in subsections (2) and (4) of this section is available to: Beer and wine restaurants; spirits, beer, and wine restaurants; taverns; domestic wineries; domestic breweries and microbreweries; distilleries; snack bars; and special occasion licensees under RCW 66.24.380
.
(b) A caterer's license shall be issued to an eligible applicant under RCW 66.24.690
for an event open to the public and held on a publicly owned civic campus in a city with a population of more than 220,000 under subsection (2) of this section or in an area or areas of a jurisdiction approved under subsection (4) of this section, even if the sponsor of the event for which catering services are being provided is not a society or organization as defined in RCW 66.24.375, if license and regulatory requirements are otherwise met.
(4)(a) A city, town, county, or port authority that has been designated as a fan zone or host city from an international self-regulatory governing body of a sports association, or a nonprofit organization authorized by such an entity, may request, and the board may approve, expanded outdoor and indoor alcohol service for liquor licensees within an area or areas of the jurisdiction. The authorization in this subsection (4) may be used to allow expanded alcohol sales and service only during a single multiday event in each approved jurisdiction in either of the months of June or July of 2026.
(b) Multiple licensees located within an area of a city, town, county, or port authority approved under this subsection for expanded alcohol service may share an alcohol service area encompassing the entire approved area or areas, during the event, so long as:
(i) The board approves of the event perimeter enclosing the alcohol service area;
(ii) Security and physical barriers are provided at all entry points to the event;
(iii) The applicable city, town, county, or port authority through a designated official notifies the board within a minimum time required by the board in rule before the event begins;
(iv) Signage is conspicuously posted during the event notifying the public that the area is in use as an expanded alcohol service area and public notice of the upcoming use of the area as an expanded alcohol service area was conspicuously posted at least seven days in advance; and
(v) All participating licensees submit a joint operating plan to the board for approval, in a format designated by the board, that meets the requirements of subsection (2)(b)(v) of this section.
(c) Licensees operating under this subsection (4) may share use of an alcohol service area with other licensees and licensees may share use of an alcohol service area with businesses that do not engage in the sale or service of alcohol, subject to requirements of the board. All participating licensees are jointly responsible for any violation or enforcement issues unless it can be demonstrated that the violation or enforcement issue was due to one or more licensee's specific conduct or action, in which case the violation or enforcement applies only to those identified licensees.
(d) During the times a licensee is operating under the authorization in this subsection (4), the licensee may operate as provided in subsection (2)(f) of this section.
(5) The board must impose a fee on any or all of the following licensees and local governments in order to cover but not exceed the board's administrative and enforcement costs related to activities authorized under this section:
(a) A licensee seeking to operate under the authorization in this section, as a condition to exercising privileges in this section;
(b) A city, town, county, or port authority applying for expanded outdoor alcohol service privileges for licensees under subsection (1) of this section;
(c) A city with a population of more than 220,000 applying for expanded alcohol service privileges for licensees during events on a publicly owned civic campus under subsection (2) of this section; and
(d) A city, town, county, or port authority designated as a fan zone or host city applying for expanded alcohol service privileges for licensees during an event in June or July of 2026 in an approved area or areas of the jurisdiction.
(6) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Alcohol service area" means an area in which liquor may be sold, served, and consumed as authorized under this title and rules of the board.
(b) "Board" means the liquor and cannabis board.
(c) "Campus operator" means the person who has primary responsibility for making managerial or executive decisions relating to operations and activities at a publicly owned civic campus or the person's designee.
(d) "Publicly owned civic campus" means the buildings, facilities, grounds, lands, and spaces owned by a city and designated as a city center, and used for civic, arts, cultural, sports, and other community and family events and activities, being not more than 100 acres in size on July 27, 2025.
[
2025 c 361 s 2
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Intent
—
2025 c 361:
"(1) The legislature finds that updating and modernizing the regulation of alcohol service in public spaces by building upon the regulatory framework established in agency rules governing this activity will benefit the citizens of Washington, the restaurant and hospitality industry, nonprofit organizations, as well as local and state government in Washington, and will help prepare Washington to successfully host a major international sports event in 2026.
(2) The legislature intends that passage and implementation of this act will allow for event environments that emphasize safe crowd management of high volumes of people, a pleasant event experience that maximizes mobility for event guests, especially families, and maintains safe operations that ensure alcohol is not accessed or consumed by persons under age 21, overservice is prevented, and alcohol does not leave the premises.
(3) Therefore, subject to the requirements in this section:
(a) From July 27, 2025, until December 31, 2027, the legislature intends to authorize local governments to request from the liquor and cannabis board, and for the board to reasonably approve, that expanded outdoor alcohol service in public spaces be allowed for liquor licensees in their jurisdictions;
(b) From July 27, 2025, until December 31, 2027, the legislature intends to authorize certain cities to request from the liquor and cannabis board, and for the board to reasonably approve, that expanded outdoor and indoor alcohol service in public spaces be allowed for liquor licensees operating during events on publicly owned civic campuses; and
(c) During the months of June and July of 2026, the legislature intends to authorize certain local governments to request from the liquor and cannabis board, and for the board to reasonably approve, that expanded outdoor and indoor alcohol service in public spaces be allowed for certain liquor licensees operating during a single multiday event in an approved area or areas of a city, town, county, or port authority that is a designated fan zone or host city." [
2025 c 361 s 1
.]
Expiration date
—
2025 c 361:
"This act expires December 31, 2027." [
2025 c 361 s 10
.]
RCW 66.24.810
Expanded outdoor alcohol service
—
Report.
(Expires December 31, 2027.)
A publicly owned civic campus identified in RCW 66.24.800
(2) in a city with a population of more than 220,000 that has requested and been approved for expanded alcohol service and that uses the authorization, must report to the legislature and the liquor and cannabis board by January 1, 2027, and include a description of the activities conducted, the benefits realized, and challenges encountered, while this legislation was in effect.
[
2025 c 361 s 8
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Intent
—
Expiration date
—
2025 c 361:
See notes following RCW 66.24.800
.
RCW 66.24.820
Expanded outdoor alcohol service
—
Public engagement review
—
Report.
(Expires December 31, 2027.)
(1) By September 1, 2026, a city, town, county, or port authority that has requested and been approved by the liquor and cannabis board for expanded alcohol service under RCW 66.24.800
(1), (2), or (4), and that uses the authorization, shall conduct a public engagement review by contacting local organizations, individual residents, businesses, and others in the local community where expanded alcohol sales and service occurred or is occurring, to gain a balanced understanding of how the activities were or are being experienced by people in the community. The public engagement review required by this section must include examining:
(a) Whether adequate local resources, including law enforcement patrols in the area, were or are provided during times that expanded alcohol service was or is offered, to ensure community safety;
(b) Whether services were or are provided to keep the area of the jurisdiction in which the activities occurred or are occurring clean and free of litter or other remnants of the use of public spaces for expanded alcohol service; and
(c) The costs and benefits to the community of expanded alcohol sales and service perceived by residents throughout the community.
(2) A city, town, county, or port authority conducting a review under this section shall submit the results in a report to the liquor and cannabis board by September 1, 2026.
[
2025 c 361 s 9
.]
NOTES:
Finding
—
Intent
—
Expiration date
—
2025 c 361:
See notes following RCW 66.24.800
.
RCW 66.24.900
Construction
—
Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships
—
2009 c 521.
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
[
2009 c 521 s 146
.]