Install
openclaw skills install afrexai-liquor-complianceLiquor License & Alcohol Compliance
Provides state-specific alcohol license requirements, regulatory mapping, compliance checklists, violation risk scoring, training mandates, permit guidance,...
Audits
PendingLiquor License & Alcohol Compliance Agent
Handles alcohol regulatory compliance for bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and retailers across all 50 US states.
What This Skill Does
When activated, the agent becomes an alcohol compliance specialist that can:
- License Type Assessment — Determine which license(s) a business needs based on state, business type, and service model
- State Regulatory Mapping — Identify the controlling authority (ABC, SLA, LCB, TABC, etc.) and key regulations
- Compliance Checklist Generation — Produce a full pre-inspection checklist covering service hours, signage, staff training, record-keeping
- Violation Risk Scoring — Flag the top violation categories by state (over-service, minors, hours violations, tied-house rules)
- Staff Training Requirements — TIPS/ServSafe/RBS mandates by state, renewal periods, new-hire deadlines
- Event & Catering Permits — Temporary permit requirements for special events, tastings, festivals
- Label & Advertising Compliance — TTB/COLA requirements for producers, advertising restrictions by state
Usage
Tell the agent your state, business type, and what you need:
"I'm opening a craft brewery with a taproom in Texas. What licenses do I need and what are the compliance requirements?"
"Run a full pre-inspection checklist for my bar in New York."
"We want to host a wine tasting event in California. What permits do we need?"
"Check our beer label for TTB compliance before we submit to COLA."
License Types Reference
| License Type | Typical Use | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| On-Premises (Liquor) | Full bar, restaurant | Food ratio rules (varies), liability insurance, manager on duty |
| On-Premises (Beer/Wine) | Taproom, wine bar | Often lower fees, simpler application, may restrict spirits |
| Off-Premises (Package) | Liquor store, bottle shop | Display restrictions, Sunday/holiday rules, delivery permits |
| Manufacturer | Brewery, distillery, winery | Production limits, direct-to-consumer rules, distribution tier |
| Catering/Banquet | Event venues | Per-event or annual, insurance requirements, location approval |
| Temporary/Special Event | Festivals, tastings | Duration limits (1-30 days), sponsorship rules, security plans |
Top 10 States — Key Regulatory Bodies
| State | Agency | Notable Rules |
|---|---|---|
| California | ABC (Dept of Alcoholic Beverage Control) | Type 47/48 licenses, RBS training mandatory since July 2022 |
| Texas | TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission) | Mixed beverage vs beer/wine, food-to-alcohol ratio (51% rule for certain permits) |
| New York | SLA (State Liquor Authority) | 500-foot rule (churches/schools), CB notification requirement |
| Florida | DBPR (Div of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco) | Quota licenses (limited supply, transferable, $50K-$500K+), SFS exemptions |
| Illinois | ILCC (Illinois Liquor Control Commission) | Local option (dry/wet by municipality), video gaming tie-in rules |
| Ohio | DOLC (Division of Liquor Control) | Permit classes (D-1 through D-8), Sunday sales permit separate |
| Pennsylvania | PLCB (PA Liquor Control Board) | State-controlled wholesale, restaurant liquor license auction system |
| Colorado | LED (Liquor Enforcement Division) | Recent changes: third-party delivery, full-strength grocery |
| Georgia | DOR (Dept of Revenue, Alcohol & Tobacco) | County-level control, Sunday sales (local referendum), brewpub limits |
| Washington | LCB (Liquor & Cannabis Board) | Combined cannabis/liquor oversight, mandatory server training (MAST) |
Violation Categories & Typical Penalties
| Violation | Typical Penalty (First Offense) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Service to minors | $1,000-$10,000 fine + 10-30 day suspension | CRITICAL |
| Over-service (visibly intoxicated) | $500-$5,000 fine + 5-15 day suspension | CRITICAL |
| Operating outside permitted hours | $250-$2,500 fine + warning/suspension | HIGH |
| Failure to post required signage | $100-$500 fine | MEDIUM |
| Record-keeping violations | $250-$1,000 fine | MEDIUM |
| Unauthorized entertainment/events | $500-$2,500 fine + suspension | HIGH |
| Tied-house violations (improper supplier relationships) | $1,000-$25,000+ fine | HIGH |
| Missing/expired staff certifications | $250-$1,000 per employee | MEDIUM |
Pre-Inspection Checklist Template
LIQUOR LICENSE PRE-INSPECTION CHECKLIST
========================================
Business: _______________ State: ___ License #: _______________
LICENSES & PERMITS
[ ] Current license displayed in public view
[ ] All endorsements current (Sunday, late-night, entertainment, patio)
[ ] Business name on license matches DBA/signage
[ ] Manager's permit current (if required by state)
PREMISES
[ ] Licensed premises boundaries clearly defined
[ ] No service outside licensed area
[ ] Patio/outdoor area covered under permit
[ ] Required signage posted (pregnancy warning, age verification, hours)
[ ] Emergency exits unobstructed
STAFF COMPLIANCE
[ ] All servers hold valid certification (TIPS/ServSafe/RBS/MAST)
[ ] Certification records on-site and accessible
[ ] New hires trained within state-mandated window
[ ] ID checking policy documented and posted
[ ] Incident log maintained (refusals, ejections, over-service)
OPERATIONS
[ ] Hours of service within permit limits
[ ] Food service ratio maintained (if applicable)
[ ] Purchase records from licensed distributors only
[ ] Inventory records current (30-day rolling minimum)
[ ] No prohibited promotions (happy hour restrictions vary by state)
[ ] Entertainment within scope of permit
RECORD-KEEPING
[ ] Daily sales records maintained
[ ] Distributor invoices filed (minimum retention: 3 years typical)
[ ] Employee certification copies on file
[ ] Incident/refusal log up to date
[ ] Tax filings current (state excise, federal TTB if producer)
Staff Training Mandates by State (Selection)
| State | Required Program | Deadline | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | RBS (Responsible Beverage Service) | Within 60 days of hire | Every 3 years |
| Texas | TABC Seller/Server | Before first shift serving | Every 2 years |
| Washington | MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) | Within 15 days of hire | Every 5 years |
| Oregon | OLCC Service Permit | Within 45 days of hire | Every 5 years |
| Utah | Alcohol training & education seminar | Before serving | Every 5 years |
| Alaska | PRIOR to serving | Before first shift | Every 3 years |
TTB Label Compliance (Producers)
For breweries, distilleries, and wineries producing and labeling their own products:
Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) required for:
- All distilled spirits
- All wine (except certain state-only sales)
- Malt beverages distributed interstate
Key label requirements:
- Brand name, class/type designation
- Alcohol content (mandatory format varies by product)
- Net contents
- Name and address of bottler/producer
- Government warning statement (exact text mandated)
- Country of origin (if imported)
- Sulfite declaration (wine)
When to Escalate to a Liquor Attorney
- License application denial or conditional approval
- Violation hearing or proposed suspension/revocation
- Tied-house investigation
- Multi-state distribution agreements
- License transfer during business sale
- Zoning disputes (500-foot rule challenges)
- Class action from over-service liability
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