PDFWAC 314-09-010

Objections to liquor license applications.

(1) How can persons, entities, and governmental jurisdictions object to the issuance of a liquor license or permit? Per RCW 66.24.010 (8) and (9), the board will notify certain entities of the following types of annual or special occasion liquor license or permit applications. In addition to the following entities, any person or group may comment in writing to the board regarding an application.
Type of Application
Entities the board will notify
Applications for an annual license or permit at a new location that would allow the sale and/or service of alcohol beverage to the public for on-premises consumption or to-go; and
Governmental jurisdictions in which the premises is located, and
Applications to change the class of an existing annual liquor license or permit that allows the sale and/or service of alcohol beverage to the public for on-premises consumption or to-go.
Schools, churches, and public institutions within 500 feet of the premises to be licensed (as measured according to RCW 66.24.010(9)).
Applications for any special occasion liquor license that allows the sale and/or service of alcohol beverage; and
Governmental jurisdictions only.
Changes of ownership at existing licensed premises.
 
(2) What will happen if a person or entity objects to a liquor license application? When deciding whether to issue or deny a liquor license application or permit, the board will give due consideration to input from governmental jurisdictions in which the premises is located; private schools, churches, and public institutions within 500 feet of the premises (as measured according to RCW 66.24.010(9)); and other persons or groups. Note: Per RCW 66.24.010(9), the board shall not issue a new retail liquor license if a tax-supported public elementary or secondary school within 500 feet of the premises to be licensed objects to the application (500 feet as measured according to RCW 66.24.010(9)).
(a) If the board contemplates issuing a license over the objection of a governmental jurisdiction in which the premises is located, the government subdivision may request an adjudicative hearing under the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (chapter 34.05 RCW). If the board, in its discretion, grants the governmental jurisdiction(s) an adjudicative hearing, the licensee will be notified and given the opportunity to present evidence at the hearing.
(b) If the board denies a liquor license application based on the objection from a governmental jurisdiction; a private school, church, or public institution within 500 feet of the premises (as measured according to RCW 66.24.010(9)); and/or other persons or groups, the applicant(s) may either:
(i) Reapply for the license or permit no sooner than one year from the original denial date; or
(ii) Submit a written request on a form provided by the board for an adjudicative hearing under the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (chapter 34.05 RCW). The request must be received within twenty days of the date the intent to deny notification was mailed.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030. WSR 09-21-048, § 314-09-010, filed 10/14/09, effective 11/14/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.010. WSR 05-07-011, § 314-09-010, filed 3/4/05, effective 4/4/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.08.150. WSR 01-03-087, § 314-09-010, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01.]