PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 11-16-032.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 314-02 WAC, Requirements for retail liquor licensees.
Hearing Location(s): Washington State Liquor Control Board, Board Room, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, on October 26, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 9, 2011.
Submit Written Comments to: Karen McCall, P.O. Box 43080, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail rules@liq.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-9689, by October 26, 2011.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Karen McCall by October 26, 2011, (360) 664-1631.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This rule making is the result of legislation that passed in the 2011 legislative session. SSB 5788, HB 1465, and SSB 5156 made changes to retail [liquor licenses,] created additional allowances for some retail licenses and created a new VIP Airport Lounge liquor license. Current rules need to be revised to reflect the changes and new rules need to be written to implement the new liquor license type. Retail liquor license fees revert back to what they were prior to the temporary increase passed in the 2009 legislature.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Clarification of 2011 legislation.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 66.08.030, chapter 66.24 RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 66.24.320, 66.24.330, 66.24.350, 66.24.354, 66.24.360, 66.24.371, 66.24.410, 66.24.420, 66.24.590.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington state liquor control board.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Karen McCall, Rules Coordinator, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 664-1631; Implementation and Enforcement: Justin Nordhorn, Chief, Enforcement, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 664-1726.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This proposal has no negative financial impact to liquor licensees.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328.
September 21, 2011
Sharon Foster
Chairman
OTS-4227.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 11-01-133, filed 12/21/10,
effective 1/21/11)
WAC 314-02-015
What is a spirits, beer, and wine
restaurant license?
(1) Per RCW 66.24.400, this license
allows a restaurant to:
(a) Serve spirits by the individual glass for on-premises consumption;
(b) Serve beer by the bottle or can or by tap for on-premises consumption;
(c) Serve wine for on-premises consumption;
(d) Allow patrons to remove recorked wine from the licensed premises;
(e) Sell wine by the bottle for off-premises consumption with the appropriate endorsement; and
(f) Sell kegs of malt liquor with the appropriate endorsement. This endorsement also allows the sale of 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 by the retailer at the time of sale.
(2) To obtain and maintain a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license, the restaurant must be open to the public at least five hours a day during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., five days a week. The board may consider written requests for exceptions to this requirement due to demonstrated hardship, and may grant an exception under such terms and conditions as the board determines are in the best interests of the public.
(3) All applicants for a spirits, beer, and wine license must establish, to the satisfaction of the board, that the premises will operate as a bona fide restaurant. The term "bona fide restaurant" is defined in RCW 66.24.410(2).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.363. 11-01-133, § 314-02-015, filed 12/21/10, effective 1/21/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030. 09-02-012, § 314-02-015, filed 12/29/08, effective 1/29/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.04.010, 66.08.030, 66.24.410, 66.44.310, and 66.44.420. 05-22-022, § 314-02-015, filed 10/24/05, effective 11/24/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.24.120. 00-07-091, § 314-02-015, filed 3/15/00, effective 4/15/00.]
| Amount of customer service area dedicated to dining | Annual fee | |
| 100% | $(( |
|
| 50 - 99% | $(( |
|
| Less than 50% | $(( |
|
(a) Liquor bars (see definition under WAC 314-02-010(2)); or
(b) Areas dedicated to games or gaming devices.
(3) The fee for a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license outside of an incorporated city or town will be prorated according to the calendar quarters the licensee is open for business. This proration does not apply in the case of a suspension or revocation of the license.
(4) A duplicate license is required in order to sell liquor from more than one site on your property. These sites must be located on the same property and owned by the same licensee. The following types of businesses may apply for a duplicate license:
| Type of Business | Annual fee per duplicate license |
| Airport terminal | 25% of annual license fee |
| Civic center (such as a convention center) | $(( |
| Privately owned facility open to the public | $20 |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.600. 10-01-091, § 314-02-020, filed 12/16/09, effective 1/16/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.04.010, 66.08.030, 66.24.410, 66.44.310, and 66.44.420. 05-22-022, § 314-02-020, filed 10/24/05, effective 11/24/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.24.120. 00-07-091, § 314-02-020, filed 3/15/00, effective 4/15/00.]
(a) Serve spirits by the individual serving for consumption on the licensed premises;
(b) Serve beer, including strong beer, and wine for consumption on the licensed premises;
(c) Sell at retail, from locked honor bars, in individual units, spirits not to exceed fifty milliliters, beer in individual units not to exceed twelve ounces, and wine in individual bottles not to exceed three hundred eighty-five milliliters, to registered guests of the hotel for consumption in guest rooms;
(d) Provide, without additional charge, to overnight guests, spirits, beer, and wine by the individual serving for consumption on the licensed premises at a specified regular date, time, and place. Self-service by guests is prohibited;
(e) 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;
(f) Sell beer, including strong beer, and wine, in the
manufacturer's sealed container at retail sales locations
within the hotel premises; ((and))
(g) Place in guest rooms at check-in, complimentary beer, including strong beer, or wine in a manufacturer's sealed container; and
(h) 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.
(2) The annual fee for a hotel license is two thousand dollars.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.363. 11-01-133, § 314-02-041, filed 12/21/10, effective 1/21/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.590. 08-17-067, § 314-02-041, filed 8/19/08, effective 9/19/08.]
(2) Complete meals must be prepared on the hotel premises.
(3) A menu must be available to hotel guests and patrons offered alcohol service that lists, at a minimum, the required complete meals.
(4) The food items required to maintain the menu must be located on the licensed premises. These items must be edible.
(5)(a) Licensees must maintain complete meal service for a minimum of five hours a day between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. on any day that liquor is served. The board may consider written requests for exceptions to this requirement due to a demonstrated hardship and may allow exceptions under terms and conditions the board determines are in the best interests of the public.
(b) Minimum food service must be available during hours of alcohol service when complete meal service is not offered. Minimum food service includes items such as hamburgers or fry orders. Snacks such as peanuts, popcorn, and chips do not qualify as minimum food service.
(6) Hours of complete meal service must be listed on the menu. If applicable, a statement must be posted or listed on the menu that minimum food service is available when alcohol is served and complete meal service is unavailable.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.363. 11-01-133, § 314-02-0411, filed 12/21/10, effective 1/21/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.590. 08-17-067, § 314-02-0411, filed 8/19/08, effective 9/19/08.]
(2)(a) Applications for new spirits, beer and wine restaurant restricted licenses shall be accompanied by proof that:
(i) The business has been in operation for at least one year immediately prior to the date of its application. Such proof should include records of membership as well as an indication as to numbers and types of membership.
(ii) Membership or admission will not be denied to any person because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical handicap.
(b) Spirits, beer and wine restaurant restricted applicants and licensees must meet the provisions of WAC 314-02-035.
(3) Under RCW 66.24.450, the board may issue an
endorsement allowing the club to hold ((up to forty)) nonclub,
member-sponsored events using club liquor.
(a) Each event must have a sponsoring member from the club.
(b) Each visitor and/or guest may only attend the event by invitation of the sponsoring member(s).
(c) Event may not be open to the general public.
(d) At least seventy-two hours prior to any nonclub event, the sponsoring member, or any club officer, must provide to the board: The date, time, and location of the event, the name of the sponsor of the event, and a brief description of the purpose of the event.
(e) A list of all invited guests and visitors must be available for inspection during the nonclub event.
(4) Under RCW 66.24.450, the board may issue an endorsement allowing the holder of a spirits, beer, and wine private club license to sell bottled wine for off-premises consumption.
(a) Spirits and beer may not be sold for off-premises consumption.
(b) Bottled wine may only be sold to members, visitors, and guests defined under WAC 314-40-005. Bottled wine may not be sold to the general public.
(5) See chapter 314-40 WAC for additional rules on clubs.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.363. 11-01-133, § 314-02-042, filed 12/21/10, effective 1/21/11.]
(a) A VIP airport lounge is a retail establishment in an international airport, beyond security checkpoints.
(b) The VIP airport lounge liquor licensee must be the entity in control of the day-to-day operations of the VIP airport lounge.
(c) Spirits, beer, and wine to be sold or provided complimentary by the individual serving for on-premises consumption to persons at least twenty-one years of age or older.
(d) Customers may not remove spirits, beer, and wine from the premises at any time.
(e) The VIP airport lounge licensee may only serve liquor from a service bar. A service bar is a work station primarily used to prepare and sell alcoholic beverages that are picked up by the customer. Customers are not permitted to mix their own drinks, sit or consume food or alcohol at the service bar.
(f) All alcohol servers must have a valid MAST permit.
(2) The annual fee for this license is two thousand dollars.
[]
(2) An applicant for a VIP airport lounge license must include a sketch of the VIP airport lounge area including the service bar area and where the alcohol inventory will be stored.
(3) All alcohol inventory must be stored on the VIP airport lounge licensed premises.
(4) All spirits must be purchased from the board at the assigned liquor store. Beer and wine must be purchased from a licensed distributor or retail outlet. A VIP lounge licensee may purchase wine directly from a licensed manufacturer if the licensee holds an endorsement to receive direct shipments from a manufacturer.
(5) Access to a VIP airport lounge is generally limited to:
(a) Ticketed airline passengers of any age who have first class, executive, or business class tickets;
(b) Qualified members or guests of loyalty incentive programs, members or guests of enhanced amenities programs;
(c) Passengers or airline employees issued a pass by the airline for access; and
(d) Airport, airline employees, government officials, and attendees of airport authority or airlines for business promotion with controlled access by the VIP airport lounge licensee.
(6) Between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., licensees or employees may not:
(a) Provide, offer, or sell liquor;
(b) Deliver liquor (except that beer and/or wine distributors may deliver beer and/or wine to retail licensees between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.);
(c) Allow liquor to be consumed on the premises; or
(d) Possess liquor, except that persons working on the premises may possess liquor between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. while in the performance of their official duties.
(7) A local government subdivision may fix later opening hours or earlier closing hours than those specified in this rule, so long as the hours apply to all licensed premises in the local government subdivision's jurisdiction. See WAC 314-12-215(3) for exceptions when a premises is in a board recognized alcohol impact area.
[]
| Privilege | Annual fee |
| (a) Serve beer by the bottle or can or by tap for on-premises consumption. | $(( |
| (b) Serve wine for on-premises consumption (see RCW 66.24.320 regarding patrons removing recorked wine from the premises). | $(( |
| (c) Sell beer and/or wine in the original, unopened containers for off-premises consumption. | $(( |
| (d) Sell tap beer for off-premises consumption in a sanitary container holding less than four gallons of beer, and brought to the premises by the purchaser. | In conjunction with off-premises privilege outlined in subsection (c). |
| (e) Sell beer in kegs or other containers holding at least four gallons of beer (see WAC 314-02-115 regarding the requirements for registering kegs). | In conjunction with off-premises privilege outlined in subsection (c). |
(a) Minimum food service is required, as defined in WAC 314-02-010(14).
(b) To obtain and maintain a beer and/or wine restaurant license, the restaurant must be open to the public at least five hours a day, five days a week. The board may consider written requests to this requirement due to demonstrated hardship, and may grant an exception under such terms and conditions as the board determines are in the best interests of the public.
(3) If a beer and/or wine restaurant's dedicated dining area comprises less than fifteen percent of the total customer service area, the premises must maintain a tavern license (see WAC 314-02-070 regarding the tavern license).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.363. 11-01-133, § 314-02-045, filed 12/21/10, effective 1/21/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.600. 10-01-091, § 314-02-045, filed 12/16/09, effective 1/16/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.04.010, 66.08.030, 66.24.410, 66.44.310, and 66.44.420. 05-22-022, § 314-02-045, filed 10/24/05, effective 11/24/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.24.120. 00-07-091, § 314-02-045, filed 3/15/00, effective 4/15/00.]
(2) The annual fee for this endorsement is three hundred
((eighty-seven)) fifty dollars.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.600. 10-01-091, § 314-02-060, filed 12/16/09, effective 1/16/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.24.120. 00-07-091, § 314-02-060, filed 3/15/00, effective 4/15/00.]
(2) Snack bar licensees must have snack food, as defined in WAC 314-02-010(15), available whenever beer is sold or served.
(3) Snack bars must have designated seating for on-premises consumption of beer.
(4) The annual fee for this license is one hundred
((thirty-eight)) twenty-five dollars.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.600. 10-01-091, § 314-02-065, filed 12/16/09, effective 1/16/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.24.120. 00-07-091, § 314-02-065, filed 3/15/00, effective 4/15/00.]
| Privilege | Annual fee |
| (a) Serve beer by the bottle or can or by tap for on-premises consumption. | $(( |
| (b) Serve wine for on-premises consumption. | $(( |
| (c) Sell beer and/or wine in the original, unopened containers for off-premises consumption. | $(( |
| (d) Sell tap beer for off-premises consumption in a sanitary container holding less than four gallons of beer, and brought to the premises by the purchaser. | In conjunction with off-premises privilege outlined in subsection (c). |
| (e) Sell beer in kegs or other containers holding at least four gallons of beer (see WAC 314-02-110 regarding the requirements for registering kegs). | In conjunction with off-premises privilege outlined in subsection (c). |
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.600. 10-01-091, § 314-02-070, filed 12/16/09, effective 1/16/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.24.120. 00-07-091, § 314-02-070, filed 3/15/00, effective 4/15/00.]
(2) The annual fee for this license is one hundred
((sixty-six)) fifty dollars.
(3) In order to obtain and maintain a grocery store license, the premises must be stocked with an inventory of at least three thousand dollars wholesale value of food for human consumption, not including soft drinks, beer, or wine. This minimum inventory must be:
(a) Stocked within the confines of the licensed premises; and
(b) Maintained at the premises at all times the business is licensed, with the exception of:
(i) The beginning and closing inventory for seasonal operations; or
(ii) When the inventory is being sold out immediately prior to discontinuing or selling the business.
(4) A grocery store licensee may sell beer in kegs or other containers holding at least four gallons and less than five and one-half gallons of beer. See WAC 314-02-115 regarding keg registration requirements.
(5) A grocery store licensee may sell beer and wine over the internet. See WAC 314-03-020 regarding internet sales and delivery.
(6) A grocery store applicant or licensee may apply for an international exporter endorsement for five hundred dollars a year, which allows the sale of beer and wine for export to locations outside the United States.
(7) A grocery store applicant or licensee may apply for a beer and wine tasting endorsement which allows beer and wine tastings on the grocery store premises. The annual fee for this endorsement is two hundred dollars.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.363. 11-01-133, § 314-02-100, filed 12/21/10, effective 1/21/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.600. 10-01-091, § 314-02-100, filed 12/16/09, effective 1/16/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.24.120. 00-07-091, § 314-02-100, filed 3/15/00, effective 4/15/00.]
(2) The annual fee for this license is one hundred
((eleven)) dollars.
(3) Qualifications for license--To obtain and maintain a beer and/or wine specialty store license, the premises must be stocked with an inventory of beer and/or wine in excess of three thousand dollars wholesale value. This inventory must be:
(a) Stocked within the confines of the licensed premises; and
(b) Maintained on the premises at all times the premises is licensed, with the exception of beginning and closing inventory for seasonal operations or when the inventory is being sold out immediately prior to discontinuing or selling the business.
(4) Qualifications to sample--A beer and/or wine specialty store licensee may allow customers to sample beer and wine for the purpose of sales promotion, if the primary business is the sale of beer and/or wine at retail, and the licensee meets the requirements outlined in either (a) or (b) of this subsection:
(a) A licensee's gross retail sales of beer and/or wine exceeds fifty percent of all gross sales for the entire business; or
(b) The licensed premises is a beer and/or wine specialty store that conducts bona fide cooking classes for the purpose of pairing beer and/or wine with food, under the following conditions:
(i) The licensee must establish to the satisfaction of the board that the classes are bona fide cooking courses. The licensee must charge participants a fee for the course(s).
(ii) The sampling must be limited to a clearly defined area of the premises.
(iii) The licensee must receive prior approval from the board's licensing and regulation division before conducting sampling with cooking classes.
(iv) Once approved for sampling, the licensee must provide the board's enforcement and education division a list of all scheduled cooking classes during which beer and/or wine samples will be served. The licensee must notify the board's enforcement and education division at least forty-eight hours in advance if classes are added.
(5) Licensees who qualify for sampling under subsection (4) of this rule may sample under the following conditions:
(a) No more than a total of eight ounces of alcohol may be provided to a customer during any one visit to the premises;
(b) Each sample must be two ounces or less; and
(c) No more than one sample of any single brand and type of beer or wine may be provided to a customer during any one visit to the premises.
(6) A beer and/or wine specialty store licensee may sell beer in kegs or other containers holding at least four gallons of beer. See WAC 314-02-115 regarding keg registration requirements.
(7) A beer and/or wine specialty store licensee may receive an endorsement to permit the sale of beer to a purchaser in a sanitary container brought to the premises by the purchaser, or provided by the licensee or manufacturer, and filled at the tap by the licensee at the time of sale under the following conditions:
(a) The beer and/or wine specialty store sales must exceed fifty percent of their total sales; or
(b) The board may waive the fifty percent beer and/or wine sale criteria if the beer and/or wine specialty store maintains a wholesale alcohol inventory that exceeds fifteen thousand dollars.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.363. 11-01-133, § 314-02-105, filed 12/21/10, effective 1/21/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.600. 10-01-091, § 314-02-105, filed 12/16/09, effective 1/16/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.371. 04-19-156, § 314-02-105, filed 9/22/04, effective 10/23/04; 04-07-020, § 314-02-105, filed 3/8/04, effective 4/8/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.24.120. 00-07-091, § 314-02-105, filed 3/15/00, effective 4/15/00.]