2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 66 - Alcoholic Beverage Control › Chapter 66.24 - Licenses—Stamp Taxes. › 66.24.420 - Liquor by the drink, spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license—Schedule of fees—Location—Number of licenses—Caterer's endorsement.

RCW 66.24.420
Liquor by the drink, spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license—Schedule of fees—Location—Number of licenses—Caterer's endorsement. (Effective until December 31, 2023.)
(1) The spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license shall be issued in accordance with the following schedule of annual fees:
(a) The annual fee for a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license shall be graduated according to the dedicated dining area and type of service provided as follows:
Less than 50% dedicated dining area
$1,000
50% or more dedicated dining area
$800
Service bar only
$500
(b) The annual fee for the license when issued to any other spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensee outside of incorporated cities and towns shall be prorated according to the calendar quarters, or portion thereof, during which the licensee is open for business, except in case of suspension or revocation of the license.
(c) Where the license shall be issued to any corporation, association or person operating a bona fide restaurant in an airport terminal facility providing service to transient passengers with more than one place where liquor is to be dispensed and sold, such license shall be issued upon the payment of the annual fee, which shall be a master license and shall permit such sale within and from one such place. Such license may be extended to additional places on the premises at the discretion of the board and a duplicate license may be issued for each such additional place. The holder of a master license for a restaurant in an airport terminal facility must maintain in a substantial manner at least one place on the premises for preparing, cooking, and serving of complete meals, and such food service shall be available on request in other licensed places on the premises. An additional license fee of twenty-five percent of the annual master license fee shall be required for such duplicate licenses.
(d) Where the license shall be issued to any corporation, association, or person operating dining places at a publicly or privately owned civic or convention center with facilities for sports, entertainment, or conventions, or a combination thereof, with more than one place where liquor is to be dispensed and sold, such license shall be issued upon the payment of the annual fee, which shall be a master license and shall permit such sale within and from one such place. Such license may be extended to additional places on the premises at the discretion of the board and a duplicate license may be issued for each such additional place. The holder of a master license for a dining place at such a publicly or privately owned civic or convention center must maintain in a substantial manner at least one place on the premises for preparing, cooking, and serving of complete meals, and food service shall be available on request in other licensed places on the premises. An additional license fee of ten dollars shall be required for such duplicate licenses.
(e) The annual fees in this subsection (1) are waived during the 12-month period beginning with the second calendar month after February 28, 2021, for:
(i) Licenses that expire during the 12-month waiver period under this subsection (1)(e); and
(ii) Licenses issued to persons previously licensed under this section at any time during the 12-month period prior to the 12-month waiver period under this subsection (1)(e).
(f) The waivers in (e) of this subsection do not apply to any licensee that:
(i) Had their license suspended by the board for health and safety violations of state COVID-19 guidelines; or
(ii) Received an order of immediate restraint or citation from the department of labor and industries for allowing an employee to perform work where business activity was prohibited in violation of an emergency proclamation of the governor under RCW 43.06.220.
(g) Upon request of the department of revenue, the board and the department of labor and industries must both provide a list of persons that they have determined to be ineligible for a fee waiver under (e) of this subsection for the reasons described in (f) of this subsection. Unless otherwise agreed, any list must be received by the department of revenue no later than 15 calendar days after the request is made.
(2) The board, so far as in its judgment is reasonably possible, shall confine spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses to the business districts of cities and towns and other communities, and not grant such licenses in residential districts, nor within the immediate vicinity of schools, without being limited in the administration of this subsection to any specific distance requirements.
(3) The board shall have discretion to issue spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses outside of cities and towns in the state of Washington. The purpose of this subsection is to enable the board, in its discretion, to license in areas outside of cities and towns and other communities, establishments which are operated and maintained primarily for the benefit of tourists, vacationers and travelers, and also golf and country clubs, and common carriers operating dining, club and buffet cars, or boats.
(4) The combined total number of spirits, beer, and wine nightclub licenses, and spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses issued in the state of Washington by the board, not including spirits, beer, and wine private club licenses, shall not in the aggregate at any time exceed one license for each one thousand two hundred of population in the state, determined according to the yearly population determination developed by the office of financial management pursuant to RCW 43.62.030.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, the board shall refuse a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license to any applicant if in the opinion of the board the spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses already granted for the particular locality are adequate for the reasonable needs of the community.
(6)(a) The board may issue a caterer's endorsement to this license to allow the licensee to remove the liquor stocks at the licensed premises, for use as liquor for sale and service at event locations at a specified date and, except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, 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 three hundred fifty dollars.
(b) The holder of this license with a 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.
(c) The holder of this license with a caterer's endorsement may, under conditions established by the board, store liquor on the premises of another not licensed by the board so long as there is a written agreement between the licensee and the other party to provide for ongoing catering services, the agreement contains no exclusivity clauses regarding the alcoholic beverages to be served, and the agreement is filed with the board.
(d) The holder of this license with a caterer's endorsement 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. A duplicate license may be issued for each additional premises. A license fee of twenty dollars shall be required for such duplicate licenses.
(7) Licensees under this section that hold a caterer's endorsement are allowed to use this endorsement on a domestic winery premises or on the premises of a passenger vessel and may store liquor at such premises under conditions established by the board under the following conditions:
(a) Agreements between the domestic winery or passenger vessel, as the case may be, and the retail licensee shall be in writing, contain no exclusivity clauses regarding the alcoholic beverages to be served, and be filed with the board; and
(b) The domestic winery or passenger vessel, as the case may be, and the retail licensee shall be separately contracted and compensated by the persons sponsoring the event for their respective services.
[ 2022 c 116 § 2; 2021 c 6 § 9; 2009 c 271 § 7; (2009 c 507 § 9 expired July 1, 2011). Prior: 2007 c 370 § 19; 2007 c 370 § 8; prior: 2006 c 101 § 3; 2006 c 85 § 1; 2004 c 62 § 3; 2003 c 345 § 2; 1998 c 126 § 6; 1997 c 321 § 27; 1996 c 218 § 4; 1995 c 55 § 1; 1981 1st ex.s. c 5 § 45; 1979 c 87 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 219 § 4; 1975 1st ex.s. c 245 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 208 § 2; 1970 ex.s. c 13 § 2; prior: 1969 ex.s. c 178 § 6; 1969 ex.s. c 136 § 1; 1965 ex.s. c 143 § 3; 1949 c 5 § 3 (adding new section 23-S-3 to 1933 ex.s. c 62); Rem. Supp. 1949 § 7306-23S-3.]
NOTES:
Expiration date—2022 c 116 §§ 2-20: "Sections 2 through 20 of this act expire December 31, 2023." [ 2022 c 116 § 21.]
Effective date—2022 c 116: "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 April 1, 2022." [ 2022 c 116 § 22.]
Finding—Intent—2022 c 116: "The legislature finds that operations of businesses in the hospitality industry have been significantly disrupted since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these businesses, including restaurants, hotels, theaters, caterers, and nightclubs maintain state liquor licenses in order to offer their customers beer, wine, or spirits as products or amenities as authorized under the terms of their licenses. However, many licensees' businesses were completely or partially closed for much of 2020 and continue to be closed or substantially disrupted in 2021 and 2022. Recognizing many licensees' inability to fully operate and use their license, and the financial hardships faced by many licensees, the legislature intends to provide relief to the hospitality industry by reducing certain liquor license fees in 2022 and 2023." [ 2022 c 116 § 1.]
Effective date—2021 c 6: See note following RCW 66.24.140.
Expiration date—2009 c 507: See note following RCW 66.24.320.
Effective date—2007 c 370 §§ 10-20: See note following RCW 66.04.010.
Effective date—1998 c 126: See note following RCW 66.20.010.
Effective date—1997 c 321: See note following RCW 66.24.010.
Effective date—1981 1st ex.s. c 5: See RCW 66.98.100.
(1) The spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license shall be issued in accordance with the following schedule of annual fees:
(a) The annual fee for a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license shall be graduated according to the dedicated dining area and type of service provided as follows:
Less than 50% dedicated dining area
$2,000
50% or more dedicated dining area
$1,600
Service bar only
$1,000
(b) The annual fee for the license when issued to any other spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensee outside of incorporated cities and towns shall be prorated according to the calendar quarters, or portion thereof, during which the licensee is open for business, except in case of suspension or revocation of the license.
(c) Where the license shall be issued to any corporation, association or person operating a bona fide restaurant in an airport terminal facility providing service to transient passengers with more than one place where liquor is to be dispensed and sold, such license shall be issued upon the payment of the annual fee, which shall be a master license and shall permit such sale within and from one such place. Such license may be extended to additional places on the premises at the discretion of the board and a duplicate license may be issued for each such additional place. The holder of a master license for a restaurant in an airport terminal facility must maintain in a substantial manner at least one place on the premises for preparing, cooking, and serving of complete meals, and such food service shall be available on request in other licensed places on the premises. An additional license fee of twenty-five percent of the annual master license fee shall be required for such duplicate licenses.
(d) Where the license shall be issued to any corporation, association, or person operating dining places at a publicly or privately owned civic or convention center with facilities for sports, entertainment, or conventions, or a combination thereof, with more than one place where liquor is to be dispensed and sold, such license shall be issued upon the payment of the annual fee, which shall be a master license and shall permit such sale within and from one such place. Such license may be extended to additional places on the premises at the discretion of the board and a duplicate license may be issued for each such additional place. The holder of a master license for a dining place at such a publicly or privately owned civic or convention center must maintain in a substantial manner at least one place on the premises for preparing, cooking, and serving of complete meals, and food service shall be available on request in other licensed places on the premises. An additional license fee of ten dollars shall be required for such duplicate licenses.
(e) The annual fees in this subsection (1) are waived during the 12-month period beginning with the second calendar month after February 28, 2021, for:
(i) Licenses that expire during the 12-month waiver period under this subsection (1)(e); and
(ii) Licenses issued to persons previously licensed under this section at any time during the 12-month period prior to the 12-month waiver period under this subsection (1)(e).
(f) The waivers in (e) of this subsection do not apply to any licensee that:
(i) Had their license suspended by the board for health and safety violations of state COVID-19 guidelines; or
(ii) Received an order of immediate restraint or citation from the department of labor and industries for allowing an employee to perform work where business activity was prohibited in violation of an emergency proclamation of the governor under RCW 43.06.220.
(g) Upon request of the department of revenue, the board and the department of labor and industries must both provide a list of persons that they have determined to be ineligible for a fee waiver under (e) of this subsection for the reasons described in (f) of this subsection. Unless otherwise agreed, any list must be received by the department of revenue no later than 15 calendar days after the request is made.
(2) The board, so far as in its judgment is reasonably possible, shall confine spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses to the business districts of cities and towns and other communities, and not grant such licenses in residential districts, nor within the immediate vicinity of schools, without being limited in the administration of this subsection to any specific distance requirements.
(3) The board shall have discretion to issue spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses outside of cities and towns in the state of Washington. The purpose of this subsection is to enable the board, in its discretion, to license in areas outside of cities and towns and other communities, establishments which are operated and maintained primarily for the benefit of tourists, vacationers and travelers, and also golf and country clubs, and common carriers operating dining, club and buffet cars, or boats.
(4) The combined total number of spirits, beer, and wine nightclub licenses, and spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses issued in the state of Washington by the board, not including spirits, beer, and wine private club licenses, shall not in the aggregate at any time exceed one license for each one thousand two hundred of population in the state, determined according to the yearly population determination developed by the office of financial management pursuant to RCW 43.62.030.
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, the board shall refuse a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license to any applicant if in the opinion of the board the spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses already granted for the particular locality are adequate for the reasonable needs of the community.
(6)(a) The board may issue a caterer's endorsement to this license to allow the licensee to remove the liquor stocks at the licensed premises, for use as liquor for sale and service at event locations at a specified date and, except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, 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 three hundred fifty dollars.
(b) The holder of this license with a 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.
(c) The holder of this license with a caterer's endorsement may, under conditions established by the board, store liquor on the premises of another not licensed by the board so long as there is a written agreement between the licensee and the other party to provide for ongoing catering services, the agreement contains no exclusivity clauses regarding the alcoholic beverages to be served, and the agreement is filed with the board.
(d) The holder of this license with a caterer's endorsement 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. A duplicate license may be issued for each additional premises. A license fee of twenty dollars shall be required for such duplicate licenses.
(7) Licensees under this section that hold a caterer's endorsement are allowed to use this endorsement on a domestic winery premises or on the premises of a passenger vessel and may store liquor at such premises under conditions established by the board under the following conditions:
(a) Agreements between the domestic winery or passenger vessel, as the case may be, and the retail licensee shall be in writing, contain no exclusivity clauses regarding the alcoholic beverages to be served, and be filed with the board; and
(b) The domestic winery or passenger vessel, as the case may be, and the retail licensee shall be separately contracted and compensated by the persons sponsoring the event for their respective services.
[ 2021 c 6 § 9; 2009 c 271 § 7; (2009 c 507 § 9 expired July 1, 2011). Prior: 2007 c 370 § 19; 2007 c 370 § 8; prior: 2006 c 101 § 3; 2006 c 85 § 1; 2004 c 62 § 3; 2003 c 345 § 2; 1998 c 126 § 6; 1997 c 321 § 27; 1996 c 218 § 4; 1995 c 55 § 1; 1981 1st ex.s. c 5 § 45; 1979 c 87 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 219 § 4; 1975 1st ex.s. c 245 § 1; 1971 ex.s. c 208 § 2; 1970 ex.s. c 13 § 2; prior: 1969 ex.s. c 178 § 6; 1969 ex.s. c 136 § 1; 1965 ex.s. c 143 § 3; 1949 c 5 § 3 (adding new section 23-S-3 to 1933 ex.s. c 62); Rem. Supp. 1949 § 7306-23S-3.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2021 c 6: See note following RCW 66.24.140.
Expiration date—2009 c 507: See note following RCW 66.24.320.
Effective date—2007 c 370 §§ 10-20: See note following RCW 66.04.010.
Effective date—1998 c 126: See note following RCW 66.20.010.
Effective date—1997 c 321: See note following RCW 66.24.010.
Effective date—1981 1st ex.s. c 5: See RCW 66.98.100.