PDFWAC 314-05-030

Guidelines for special occasion license events.

(1) The special occasion license must be posted at the event.
(2) Special occasion licensees may get alcohol for the event only from the following sources:
(a) Spirits, beer, and wine must be purchased at retail from a licensed retailer; from a spirits, beer, or wine distributor; from a distiller, a craft distiller, a domestic brewery, microbrewery, or winery acting as a distributor of its own product; or from a certificate of approval holder with a direct shipping to Washington retailer endorsement. Special occasion licensees are allowed to pay for beer or wine used for the special occasion event immediately following the end of the special occasion event; and
(b) Per RCW 66.28.040, in state breweries and wineries, out-of-state breweries and wineries holding a certificate of approval license, domestic distillers or an accredited representative of a distiller, manufacturer, importer, or distributor of spirituous liquor may donate beer, wine, and spirits to special occasion licensees that are nonprofit 501 (c)(3) charitable organizations or nonprofit 501 (c)(6) organizations.
(3) Special occasion licensees may not advertise or sell alcohol below cost. If donated product is sold by the special occasion licensee, it may not be advertised or sold below the manufacturers' cost.
(4) Per RCW 66.28.310, alcohol manufacturers, importers and distributors may provide advertising, pouring, or dispensing of beer or wine at a beer or wine tasting exhibition or judging event, but may not provide money, goods, or services to special occasion licensees.
(a) Wineries and distilleries may pour at any special occasion event.
(b) Wineries or breweries that are participating in a special occasion event may pay reasonable booth fees to the special occasion licensee. Booth fees must be uniform for all participating wineries and breweries.
(5) Per RCW 66.24.380, the sale, service, and consumption of alcohol must be confined to a designated location(s).
(6) If a special occasion license function is held at an establishment that has a liquor license:
(a) The special occasion function must be held in an area of the premises separate from areas open to the general public during the time the special occasion function is occurring, and the licensed premises' liquor cannot be sold or served in the same area(s) as the special occasion license function.
(b) The liquor licensee cannot charge for the liquor purchased by the special occasion licensee for service at the special occasion event, but can charge for room usage, services, etc. The liquor licensee must sign the special occasion application giving permission for the special occasion licensee to bring and sell their alcohol at the liquor licensed premises.
(c) The special occasion license will not be issued for use at premises whose liquor license will be suspended on the date(s) of the scheduled event.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.08.050. WSR 12-17-006, § 314-05-030, filed 8/1/12, effective 9/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030. WSR 11-23-046, § 314-05-030, filed 11/9/11, effective 12/10/11; WSR 09-02-013, § 314-05-030, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.20.360 through [66.20].380, 66.20.390, 66.24.170, 66.24.206, 66.24.210, 66.24.240, 66.24.244, 66.24.270, 66.24.290, 66.28.170, 66.28.180, and 42.56.270. WSR 07-02-076, § 314-05-030, filed 12/29/06, effective 1/29/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.375, 66.24.380, 66.28.010. WSR 04-22-078, § 314-05-030, filed 11/2/04, effective 12/3/04.]