WSR 24-23-002
PERMANENT RULES
LIQUOR AND CANNABIS
BOARD
[Filed November 6, 2024, 12:21 p.m., effective December 7, 2024]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to update Title 314 WAC to replace gender-specific language with gender-neutral language. This rule making was initiated in response to a petition for rule making previously accepted by the liquor and cannabis board requesting these changes. The changes aim to promote a regulatory framework that is inclusive, equitable, clear, and accessible. Additionally, written numbers were replaced with the numerical value. These changes are technical in nature and are not intended to alter the meaning or substance of the rules.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 314-02-030, 314-02-038, 314-02-0415, 314-02-108, 314-03-020, 314-03-030, 314-03-035, 314-03-040, 314-09-005, 314-10-110, 314-11-020, 314-11-030, 314-11-040, 314-11-105, 314-12-040, 314-12-210, 314-12-215, 314-16-110, 314-16-150, 314-17-020, 314-17-040, 314-17-045, 314-17-065, 314-18-030, 314-18-040, 314-20-100, 314-21-025, 314-24-115, 314-24-190, 314-25-040, 314-28-100, 314-29-007, 314-29-040, 314-34-020, 314-35-060, 314-42-120, 314-44-005, 314-60-080, and 314-60-085.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 66.08.030.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 24-19-026 on September 9, 2024.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 39, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: November 6, 2024.
David Postman
Chair
OTS-5797.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 11-01-133, filed 12/21/10, effective 1/21/11)
WAC 314-02-030Can a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant exclude persons under ((twenty-one))21 years of age from the premises?
A spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensee may exclude minors from the entire premises at all times as approved by the board.
(1) To exclude minors from the entire licensed premises at all times the applicant or licensee must:
(a) Indicate during the liquor license application process that ((he/she does))they do not wish to have minors on the entire premises at all times; or
(b) If already licensed as a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant that allows minors, the applicant may request permission from the board's licensing and regulation division to exclude minors at all times or for a specific event. See WAC 314-02-130 for instructions on requesting this approval.
(c) Spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees who exclude minors from the entire premises at all times or at certain times must meet all other requirements of this license, including the food service requirements outlined in WAC 314-02-035.
(d) During the times that a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensee excludes minors from the entire premises, the licensee may not employ minors. (See RCW 66.44.316 for more information on employing minors.)
(2) Restaurants that have less than ((fifteen))15 percent of their total customer service area dedicated to dining must exclude minors from the entire premises. The licensee:
(a) Must pay the largest annual license fee ( less than ((fifty))50 percent dedicated dining);
(b) Must meet all other requirements of this license, including the food service requirements outlined in WAC 314-02-035; and
(c) May not employ minors at any time. (See RCW 66.44.316 for information on employing certain persons ((eighteen))18 years and over under specific conditions.)
(3) See WAC 314-11-060(1) regarding requirements for "minors prohibited" signage.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 11-01-133, filed 12/21/10, effective 1/21/11)
WAC 314-02-038Can a spirits, beer, and wine nightclub license exclude persons under ((twenty-one))21 years of age from the premises?
A spirits, beer, and wine nightclub licensee may exclude minors from the premises at all times.
(1) To exclude minors from the entire licensed premises at all times, the applicant must:
(a) Indicate during the liquor license application process that ((he/she does))they do not wish to have minors on the entire premises at all times; or
(b) If already licensed as a spirits, beer, and wine nightclub license that allows minors, the licensee may request permission from the board's licensing and regulation division to exclude minors at all times. See WAC 314-02-130 for instructions on requesting this approval.
(2) Spirits, beer, and wine nightclub licensees who exclude minors from the premises may not employ minors. (See RCW 66.44.310 for more information on employing minors.)
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-17-067, filed 8/19/08, effective 9/19/08)
WAC 314-02-0415What are the requirements for instructing employees on spirits, beer, or wine?
(1) Per RCW 66.24.590, a licensee or its manager may furnish spirits, beer, or wine to the licensee's employees who are ((twenty-one))21 years of age or older, free of charge, as a necessary part of instruction and training on spirits, beer, and wine.
(2) The licensee must use spirits, beer, and wine ((he or she obtains))they obtain under the license for purposes of instruction.
(3) The instruction must be given at the hotel premises.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 14-15-075, filed 7/16/14, effective 8/16/14)
WAC 314-02-108Responsible vendor program.
(1) What is the purpose of this chapter? The purpose of this section is to establish standards and procedures for a responsible vendor program for spirits retail and beer and wine retail licensees selling alcohol for off-premises consumption.
(2) What is the responsible vendor program for spirits retail licensees? This program is free, voluntary, and self-monitoring. Spirits retail licensees who hold a responsible vendor certificate and maintain all requirements are eligible for reduced sanctions on their first single violation within any period of ((twelve))12 calendar months.
(3) How does a spirits retail licensee become a responsible vendor? Any spirits retail licensee who meets the program standards may participate. To apply for a responsible vendor certificate, the licensee must have no public safety violations within the last two years and must complete and submit a board-provided application form. Board staff will review the application for completeness, and will:
(a) Certify the completed application clearly indicates the licensee has all program standards in place and send a certificate to the licensee; or
(b) Return an incomplete application that does not clearly indicate the licensee has all program standards in place. Staff will notify the licensee of the reason(s) the application is being returned.
(4) To qualify as a responsible vendor, a spirits retail licensee must:
(a) Post their responsible vendor program certificate for public viewing at the main entrance of the premises;
(b) Train each employee supervising or selling alcohol in responsible liquor sales. Licensees may require employees to obtain a mandatory alcohol server training permit from a board certified provider or train employees themselves using the training criteria specified in subsection (5) of this section; and
(c) In an area visible to employees, post the house policies on alcohol sales and checking identification. The licensee must have each employee read and sign the house policies which must include at a minimum:
(i) A list of acceptable forms of identification which are accepted at the premises;
(ii) Directions for checking identification for customers; and
(iii) The consequences for selling spirits to a minor or apparently intoxicated person.
(d) In an area visible to patrons, post signs to deter illegal purchases of alcohol. Examples of information include, it is illegal to purchase alcohol under ((twenty-one))21 years of age or while apparently intoxicated. Other information may include acceptable forms of identification at the premises;
(e) Have an on-going training plan for employees, to include annual training at a minimum. Examples of training include computer based training, video training, classroom instruction, and meetings. The training may be done individually or in a group. At a minimum, training must cover the topics listed in subsection (5) of this section; and
(f) Retain employee training records and signed house policies for three years and must be able to present employee training records upon request.
(5) What are the program standards, program content, and other requirements for the responsible vendor program? All training must include, at a minimum, the following:
(a) Guidelines for recognizing minors and apparently intoxicated persons;
(b) Forms of identification for purchasing alcohol;
(c) How to check identification and how to recognize false or altered identification;
(d) A requirement to check identification in accordance with house policies;
(e) Recommended actions for refusing sales of alcohol to minors or apparently intoxicated persons;
(f) A review of the consequences for selling to minors, and the importance of not selling alcohol to minors or apparently intoxicated persons;
(g) A review of house policies on alcohol sales. Each licensee must ensure that ((his/her))their employees receive training that covers the licensee's own house policies; and
(h) The standards and requirements for the mandatory alcohol server training stipulated in WAC 314-17-060 are deemed sufficient for employee's initial training for the responsible vendor training.
(6) What are the sanctions when a licensee violates liquor laws or regulations? For violations, as outlined in WAC 314-29-020 through 314-29-040, involving the sales of spirits, the prescribed penalty is doubled. If a licensee has a certified responsible vendor program having all program standards in place, the board will impose the standard penalty detailed in WAC 314-29-020 through 314-29-040 for that violation. Any subsequent violation involving spirits within any period of ((twelve))12 calendar months will be double the standard penalties. Regardless of the type of alcohol sold; beer, wine, or spirits, WAC 314-29-020 through 314-29-040 are applicable.
OTS-5798.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 17-17-030, filed 8/9/17, effective 9/9/17)
WAC 314-03-020Consumer orders, internet sales, and delivery for grocery stores and beer and wine specialty shops.
A grocery store or beer and wine specialty shop licensee may accept orders for beer or wine from, and deliver beer or wine to, customers.
(1) Resale. Liquor shall not be for resale.
(2) Stock location. Liquor must come directly from a licensed retail location.
(3) How to place an order. Liquor may be ordered in person at a licensed location, by mail, telephone or internet, or by other similar methods.
(4) Sales and payment.
(a) Only a licensee or a licensee's direct employees may accept and process orders and payments. A contractor may not do so on behalf of a licensee, except for transmittal of payment through a third-party service. The use of internet or mobile applications for retail customers to purchase alcohol in Washington state are allowed under the following conditions:
(i) The sale must be made by the licensee;
(ii) The licensee processes payment for the sale; and
(iii) The liquor licensee pays the owner of the mobile application a service fee.
(b) All orders and payments shall be fully processed before liquor transfers ownership or, in the case of delivery, leaves a licensed premises.
(c) Payment method. Payment methods include, but are not limited to: Cash, credit or debit card, check or money order, electronic funds transfer, or an existing prepaid account. An existing prepaid account may not have a negative balance.
(d) Internet. To sell liquor via the internet, a new license applicant must request internet-sales privileges in ((his or her))their application. An existing licensee must notify the board prior to beginning internet sales. A corporate entity representing multiple stores may notify the board in a single letter on behalf of affiliated licensees, as long as the liquor license numbers of all licensee locations utilizing internet sales privileges are clearly identified.
(5) Delivery location. Delivery shall be made only to a residence or business that has an address recognized by the United States postal service; however, the board may grant an exception to this rule at its discretion. A residence includes a hotel room, a motel room, or other similar lodging that temporarily serves as a residence.
(6) Hours of delivery. Liquor may be delivered each day of the week between the hours of ((six))6:00 a.m. and ((two))2:00 a.m. Delivery must be fully completed by ((two))2:00 a.m.
(7) Age requirement.
(a) Per chapter 66.44 RCW, any person under ((twenty-one))21 years of age is prohibited from purchasing, delivering, or accepting delivery of liquor.
(b) A delivery person must verify the age of the person accepting delivery before handing over liquor.
(c) If no person ((twenty-one))21 years of age or older is present to accept a liquor order at the time of delivery, the liquor shall be returned to the licensee.
(8) Intoxication. Delivery of liquor is prohibited to any person who shows signs of intoxication.
(9) Containers and packaging.
(a) Individual units of liquor must be factory sealed in bottles, cans or other like packaging. Delivery of growlers, jugs or other similar, nonfactory-sealed containers is prohibited. Delivery of malt liquor in kegs or other containers capable of holding four gallons or more of liquid is allowed, provided that kegs or containers are factory sealed and that the keg sales requirements (see WAC 314-02-115) are met prior to delivery. For the purposes of this subsection, "factory sealed" means that a unit is in ((one hundred))100 percent resalable condition, with all manufacturer's seals intact.
(b) The outermost surface of a liquor package, delivered by a third party, must have language stating that:
(i) The package contains liquor;
(ii) The recipient must be ((twenty-one))21 years of age or older; and
(iii) Delivery to intoxicated persons is prohibited.
(10) Required information.
(a) Records and files shall be retained at a licensed premises. Each delivery sales record shall include the following:
(i) Name of the purchaser;
(ii) Name of the person who accepts delivery;
(iii) Street addresses of the purchaser and the delivery location; and
(iv) Times and dates of purchase and delivery.
(b) A private carrier must obtain the signature of the person who receives liquor upon delivery.
(c) A sales record does not have to include the name of the delivery person, but it is encouraged.
(11) Website requirements. When selling over the internet, all website pages associated with the sale of liquor must display a licensee's registered trade name.
(12) Accountability. A licensee shall be accountable for all deliveries of liquor made on its behalf.
(13) Violations. The board may impose administrative enforcement action upon a licensee, or suspend or revoke a licensee's delivery privileges, or any combination thereof, should a licensee violate any condition, requirement or restriction.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 17-17-030, filed 8/9/17, effective 9/9/17)
WAC 314-03-030Consumer orders, internet sales, and delivery for spirits retail licensees.
A spirit retail licensee may accept orders for spirits from, and deliver spirits to, customers.
(1) Resale. Spirits shall not be for resale.
(2) Stock location. Spirits must come directly from a licensed retail location.
(3) How to place an order. Spirits may be ordered in person at a licensed location, by mail, telephone, or internet, or by other similar methods.
(4) Sales and payment.
(a) Only a spirits retail licensee or a licensee's direct employees may accept and process orders and payments. A contractor may not do so on behalf of a spirits retail licensee, except for transmittal of payment through a third-party service. The use of internet or mobile applications for retail customers to purchase alcohol in Washington state are allowed under the following conditions:
(i) The sale must be made by the licensee;
(ii) The licensee processes the payment for the sale; and
(iii) The liquor licensee pays the owner of the mobile application a service fee.
(b) All orders and payments shall be fully processed before spirits transfers ownership or, in the case of delivery, leaves a licensed premises.
(c) Payment method. Payment methods include, but are not limited to: Cash, credit or debit card, check or money order, electronic funds transfer, or an existing prepaid account. An existing prepaid account may not have a negative balance.
(d) Internet. To sell spirits via the internet, a new spirits retail license applicant must request internet-sales privileges in ((his or her))their application. An existing spirits retail licensee must notify the board prior to beginning internet sales. A corporate entity representing multiple stores may notify the board in a single letter on behalf of affiliated spirits retail licensees, as long as the liquor license numbers of all licensee locations utilizing internet sales privileges are clearly identified.
(5) Delivery location. Delivery shall be made only to a residence or business that has an address recognized by the United States postal service; however, the board may grant an exception to this rule at its discretion. A residence includes a hotel room, a motel room, or other similar lodging that temporarily serves as a residence.
(6) Hours of delivery. Spirits may be delivered each day of the week between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Delivery must be fully completed by 2:00 a.m.
(7) Age requirement.
(a) Under chapter 66.44 RCW, any person under ((twenty-one))21 years of age is prohibited from purchasing, delivering, or accepting delivery of liquor.
(b) A delivery person must verify the age of the person accepting delivery before handing over liquor.
(c) If no person ((twenty-one))21 years of age or older is present to accept a liquor order at the time of delivery, the liquor shall be returned to the licensee.
(8) Intoxication. Delivery of liquor is prohibited to any person who shows signs of intoxication.
(9) Containers and packaging.
(a) Individual units of spirits must be factory sealed in bottles. For the purposes of this subsection, "factory sealed" means that a unit is in ((one hundred))100 percent resalable condition, with all manufacturer's seals intact.
(b) The outermost surface of a liquor package, delivered by a third party, must have language stating that:
(i) The package contains liquor;
(ii) The recipient must be ((twenty-one))21 years of age or older; and
(iii) Delivery to intoxicated persons is prohibited.
(10) Required information.
(a) Records and files shall be retained at the licensed premises. Each delivery sales record shall include the following:
(i) Name of the purchaser;
(ii) Name of the person who accepts delivery;
(iii) Street addresses of the purchaser and the delivery location; and
(iv) Time and date of purchase and delivery.
(b) A private carrier must obtain the signature of the person who receives liquor upon delivery.
(c) A sales record does not have to include the name of the delivery person, but it is encouraged.
(11) Website requirements. When selling over the internet, all website pages associated with the sale of liquor must display the spirits retail licensee's registered trade name.
(12) Accountability. A spirits retail licensee shall be accountable for all deliveries of liquor made on its behalf.
(13) Violations. The board may impose administrative enforcement action upon a licensee, or suspend or revoke a licensee's delivery privileges, or any combination thereof, should a licensee violate any condition, requirement, or restriction.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-04-042, filed 1/31/24, effective 3/2/24)
WAC 314-03-035Consumer orders, internet sales, and delivery for on-premises beer and/or wine liquor licensees.
An on-premises beer and/or wine licensee may accept orders for beer or wine from, and deliver beer or wine to, customers, if the licensee obtains a delivery endorsement under RCW 66.24.710.
(1) Resale. Beer and wine shall not be for resale.
(2) Stock location. Beer and wine must come directly from a licensed on-premises retail location.
(3) How to place an order. Beer and wine may be ordered in person at a licensed location, by mail, telephone, internet, or by other similar methods.
(4) Sales and payment.
(a) Only a licensee or a licensee's direct employees may accept and process orders and payments. A contractor may not do so on behalf of a licensee, except for transmittal of payment through a third-party service. The use of internet or mobile applications for retail customers to purchase alcohol in Washington state is allowed under the following conditions:
(i) The sale must be made by the licensee;
(ii) The licensee processes the payment; and
(iii) The liquor licensee pays the owner of the mobile application a service fee.
(b) All orders and payments shall be fully processed before liquor transfers ownership.
(c) Payment method. Payment methods include, but are not limited to: Cash, credit or debit card, check or money order, electronic funds transfer, or an existing prepaid account. An existing prepaid account may not have a negative balance.
(d) Internet. To sell beer and wine via the internet, a new license applicant must request internet-sales privileges in ((his or her))their application. An existing licensee must notify the board prior to beginning internet sales. A corporate entity representing multiple stores may notify the board in a single letter on behalf of affiliated licensees, as long as the liquor license numbers of all licensee locations utilizing internet sales privileges are clearly identified.
(5) Delivery location. Delivery shall be made only to a residence or business that has an address recognized by the United States Postal Service; however, the board may grant an exception to this rule at its discretion. A residence includes a hotel room, a motel room, or other similar lodging that temporarily serves as a residence.
(6) Hours of delivery. Beer and wine may be delivered each day of the week between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Delivery must be fully completed by 2:00 a.m.
(7) Age requirement.
(a) Per chapter 66.44 RCW, any person under 21 years of age is prohibited from purchasing, delivering, or accepting delivery of beer and wine.
(b) A delivery person must verify the age of the person accepting delivery before handing over beer and wine.
(c) If no person 21 years of age or older is present to accept a beer and wine order at the time of delivery, the beer and wine shall be returned to the licensee.
(8) Intoxication. Delivery of beer and wine is prohibited to any person who shows signs of intoxication.
(9) Containers and packaging.
(a) Individual units of beer and wine must be factory sealed in bottles, cans, or other like packaging. Delivery of growlers, jugs or other similar, nonfactory sealed containers is prohibited. Delivery of malt liquor in kegs or other containers capable of holding four gallons or more of liquid is allowed, provided that kegs or containers are factory sealed and that the keg sales requirements (see WAC 314-02-115) are met prior to delivery. For the purposes of this subsection, "factory sealed" means that a unit is in 100 percent resalable condition, with all manufacturer's seals intact.
(b) The outermost surface of a beer and wine package must have language stating that:
(i) The package contains liquor;
(ii) The recipient must be 21 years of age or older; and
(iii) Delivery to intoxicated persons is prohibited.
(10) Required information.
(a) Records and files shall be retained at a licensed premises. Each delivery sales record shall include the following:
(i) Name of the purchaser;
(ii) Name of the person who accepts delivery;
(iii) Street addresses of the purchaser and the delivery location; and
(iv) Times and dates of purchase and delivery.
(b) An employee delivering beer or wine must obtain the signature of the person who receives beer and wine upon delivery.
(c) A sales record does not have to include the name of the delivery person, but it is encouraged.
(11) Website requirements. When selling over the internet, all website pages associated with the sale of beer and wine must display a licensee's registered trade name.
(12) Accountability. A licensee shall be accountable for all deliveries of beer and wine made by employees.
(13) Violations. The board may impose administrative enforcement action upon a licensee, or suspend or revoke a licensee's delivery privileges, or any combination thereof, should a licensee violate any condition, requirement or restriction.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 17-17-030, filed 8/9/17, effective 9/9/17)
WAC 314-03-040Consumer orders, internet sales, and delivery for beer and/or wine gift delivery licenses.
A beer and/or wine gift delivery licensee may accept orders for beer or wine from, and deliver beer or wine to, customers.
(1) Resale. Liquor shall not be for resale.
(2) Stock location. Liquor must come directly from a licensed retail location.
(3) How to place an order. Liquor may be ordered in person at a licensed location, by mail, telephone or internet, or by other similar methods.
(4) Sales and payment.
(a) Only a licensee or a licensee's direct employees may accept and process orders and payments. A contractor may not do so on behalf of a licensee, except for transmittal of payment through a third-party service. The use of internet or mobile applications for retail customers to purchase alcohol in Washington state are allowed under the following conditions:
(i) The sale must be made by the licensee;
(ii) The licensee processes the payment; and
(iii) The liquor licensee pays the owner of the mobile application a service fee.
(b) All orders and payments shall be fully processed before liquor transfers ownership or, in the case of delivery, leaves a licensed premises.
(c) Payment method. Payment methods include, but are not limited to: Cash, credit or debit card, check or money order, electronic funds transfer, or an existing prepaid account. An existing prepaid account may not have a negative balance.
(d) Internet. To sell liquor via the internet, a new license applicant must request internet-sales privileges in ((his or her))their application. An existing licensee must notify the board prior to beginning internet sales. A corporate entity representing multiple stores may notify the board in a single letter on behalf of affiliated licensees, as long as the liquor license numbers of all licensee locations utilizing internet sales privileges are clearly identified.
(5) Delivery location. Delivery shall be made only to a residence or business that has an address recognized by the United States postal service; however, the board may grant an exception to this rule at its discretion. A residence includes a hotel room, a motel room, or other similar lodging that temporarily serves as a residence.
(6) Hours of delivery. Liquor may be delivered each day of the week between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Delivery must be fully completed by 2:00 a.m.
(7) Age requirement.
(a) Per chapter 66.44 RCW, any person under ((twenty-one))21 years of age is prohibited from purchasing, delivering, or accepting delivery of liquor.
(b) A delivery person must verify the age of the person accepting delivery before handing over liquor.
(c) If no person ((twenty-one))21 years of age or older is present to accept a liquor order at the time of delivery, the liquor shall be returned to the licensee.
(8) Intoxication. Delivery of liquor is prohibited to any person who shows signs of intoxication.
(9) Containers and packaging.
(a) Individual units of liquor must be factory sealed in bottles, cans or other like packaging. Delivery of growlers, jugs or other similar, nonfactory sealed containers is prohibited. For the purposes of this subsection, "factory sealed" means that a unit is in ((one hundred))100 percent resalable condition, with all manufacturer's seals intact.
(b) The outermost surface of a liquor package, delivered by a third party, must have language stating that:
(i) The package contains liquor;
(ii) The recipient must be ((twenty-one))21 years of age or older; and
(iii) Delivery to intoxicated persons is prohibited.
(10) Required information.
(a) Records and files shall be retained at the licensed premises. Each delivery sales record shall include the following:
(i) Name of the purchaser;
(ii) Name of the person who accepts delivery;
(iii) Street addresses of the purchaser and the delivery location; and
(iv) Time and date of purchase and delivery.
(b) A private carrier must obtain the signature of the person who receives liquor upon delivery.
(c) A sales record does not have to include the name of the delivery person, but it is encouraged.
(11) Website requirements. When selling over the internet, all website pages associated with the sale of liquor must display a licensee's registered trade name.
(12) Accountability. A licensee shall be accountable for all deliveries of liquor made on its behalf.
(13) Violations. The board may impose administrative enforcement action upon a licensee, or suspend or revoke a licensee's delivery privileges, or any combination thereof, should a licensee violate any condition, requirement or restriction.
OTS-5799.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 01-03-087, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01)
WAC 314-09-005What is the purpose of chapter 314-09 WAC?
The purpose of chapter 314-09 WAC is to outline:
(1) The process for persons, entities, and governmental jurisdictions to object to the issuance or renewal of a liquor license or permit; and
(2) An applicant or licensee's options when ((his/her))their liquor license or permit is denied or action is taken to not renew ((his/her))their liquor license or permit.
OTS-5854.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-16-064, filed 7/31/24, effective 8/31/24)
WAC 314-10-110Penalties, suspension notices, posting or advertising ofOther closing notices prohibited.
(1) The liquor and cannabis board may suspend or revoke a retailer's or sampler's license for violation of the board's administrative rules governing tobacco. Further, the board may impose a monetary penalty in lieu of license suspension for violation of said rules not covered by statute.
(2) Licensees are required to maintain compliance with all tobacco laws and regulations during any period of suspension. Whenever the board shall suspend the license of any licensee, the board shall on the date the suspension becomes effective cause to be posted in a conspicuous place on or about the licensed premises a notice in a form to be prescribed by the board, stating that the license or licenses have been suspended by order of board because of violation of the Washington state laws or the regulations.
(3) During the period of suspension:
(a) No person shall remove, alter, cover, or in any way disturb the posted notice(s) of suspension;
(b) No person shall place, permit or allow to be placed in, at, or upon the licensed premises, any notice or statement of reasons or purpose indicating that the premises have been closed or that sale of tobacco products has been discontinued for any reason other than as stated in the notice of suspension; Provided Further, That the prohibition of this subsection shall apply to any nearby or adjacent property, such as a parking lot area that is owned by or under the control of the licensee.
(c) Neither the licensee nor ((his/her or its))their employees shall advertise, either by newspaper, radio, television, handbill, brochure, flyer or by any means whatever, that the licensed premises are closed or discontinuing the sale of tobacco products for any reason(s) other than those stated in the board's suspension notices.
(4) A tobacco licensee may operate the business during the period of suspension provided there is no sale or distribution of tobacco products.
OTS-5800.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 04-15-162, filed 7/21/04, effective 8/21/04)
WAC 314-11-020What are the guidelines regarding sales to persons under ((twenty-one))21 years of age and where persons under ((twenty-one))21 are allowed on a licensed premises?
(1) Per RCW 66.44.270, licensees or employees may not supply liquor to any person under ((twenty-one))21 years of age, either for ((his/her))their own use or for the use of any other person.
(2) Per RCW 66.44.310, licensees or employees may not allow persons under ((twenty-one))21 years of age to remain in any premises or area of a premises classified as off-limits to persons under ((twenty-one))21. (See RCW 66.44.310 (1)(b) regarding nonprofit, private club licensees.)
(3) Per RCW 66.20.180, at the request of any law enforcement officer, a holder of a card of identification must present ((his/her))their card of identification if the person is on a portion of a premises that is restricted to persons over ((twenty-one))21 years of age, or if the person is purchasing liquor, attempting to purchase liquor, consuming liquor, or in the possession of liquor. If the person fails or refuses to present a card of identification it may be considered a violation of Title 66 RCW and:
(a) The person may not remain on the licensed premises after being asked to leave by a law enforcement officer; and
(b) The person may be detained by a law enforcement officer for a reasonable period of time and in such a reasonable manner as is necessary to determine the person's true identity and date of birth.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 02-11-054, filed 5/9/02, effective 6/9/02)
WAC 314-11-030What if a person's identification meets the legal requirements but I still have doubts about ((his or her))their age?
(1) Per RCW 66.20.190 and 66.20.210, if a patron presents proper identification as outlined in WAC 314-11-025 but the licensee or employee still has doubts about the patron's age, the licensee or employee may require the patron to sign a certification card. Certification cards are provided by the board's enforcement and education division.
(2) The certification card must be completely filled out and filed alphabetically by the licensee or employee by the close of business on the day used. Certification cards are subject to examination by any law enforcement officer.
(([RCW. 01-06-014, § 314-11-030, filed 2/26/01, effective 3/29/01.]]))
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-04-042, filed 1/31/24, effective 3/2/24)
WAC 314-11-040Permissible duties of an employee under 21 years of age on a licensed premises.
A person must be 21 years of age or older to be employed in the sale, handling, or service of liquor, except as provided in this chapter.
(1) Per RCW 66.44.340 and RCW 66.44.350, persons between 18 and 21 years of age may perform the following duties:
 
Duties 18, 19, and 20 year old employees may perform, as long as there is a person 21 years of age or older on duty supervising the sale of liquor
Duties 18, 19, and 20 years old employees may not perform
(a) In a grocery store or beer/wine specialty shop:
Sell, stock, and handle beer and wine; and
Supervise employees who sell, stock, or handle beer and/or wine.
Deliver beer and/or wine to a customer's car with the customer (for the purposes of this rule, there is no minimum age requirement for an employee of a grocery store or a beer/wine specialty shop to deliver beer and/or wine to a customer's car with the customer).
(b) In a spirits retail business:
As long as there are at least two supervisors at least 21 years of age on duty, persons 18, 19, and 20 years old may sell, stock, and handle spirits.
Supervise employees who sell, stock, or handle spirits.
 
Deliver spirits to a customer's car with the customer (for purposes of this rule, there is no minimum age requirement for an employee of a spirits retailer to deliver spirits to a customer's car with the customer).
 
(c) In an establishment that sells liquor for on-premises consumption:
Take orders for, serve, and sell liquor in areas classified as open to persons under 21 years of age; and
Functions of a bartender, including:
 
Enter areas designated as off-limits to persons under 21 years of age to perform duties such as picking up liquor for service in other parts of the establishment; cleaning up, setting up, and arranging tables; delivering messages; serving food; and seating patrons; provided the employee does not remain in the area any longer than is necessary to perform the duties.
Pouring spirits or mixing cocktails;
 
 
Drawing beer or wine from a tap or spigot;
 
 
Opening or pouring beer or wine in an area classified by the board as off limits to any person under the age of 21; and
 
 
Providing an employee spirits or beer by the pitcher or glass, or wine by the carafe or glass for delivery to a customer.
(d) In a spirits retail business:
 
 
Supervise employees who sell, stock, or handle spirits.
(2) Per RCW 66.44.316 and 66.44.318, the following persons that are 18, 19, or 20 years of age may remain on licensed premises or portions of premises that are restricted from persons under 21 years of age, but only during the course of ((his or her))their employment:
(a) Persons performing janitorial services during the hours when there is no sale, service, or consumption of liquor on the premises;
(b) Employees of amusement device companies for the purpose of installing, maintaining, repairing, or removing any amusement device;
(c) Security or law enforcement officers and firefighters during the course of their official duties and if they are not the direct employees of the licensee; and
(d) Professional musicians, per WAC 314-11-045.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-17-006, filed 8/1/12, effective 9/1/12)
WAC 314-11-105What can the board do with lawfully seized liquor?
(1) Per RCW 66.08.030(20) and chapter 66.32 RCW, the board may destroy lawfully seized liquor under the following conditions:
(a) The board must maintain a record of the type, brand, and amount of liquor seized for at least one year.
(b) The lawfully seized liquor may be destroyed only after:
(i) The board's charges of a violation of Title 66 RCW or board regulations have been sustained after an administrative proceeding pursuant to chapter 314-29 WAC as now or hereafter amended, in which the liquor to be destroyed has been the subject of, or evidence in, the administrative proceeding; or
(ii) The board's charges of a violation of Title 66 RCW or board regulations have been admitted or are not contested by the person from whom the liquor was seized and the liquor seized was the subject of the charged violation; or
(iii) The liquor was seized pursuant to lawful arrest and liquor was held as evidence in a criminal proceeding where a final disposition has been reached; or
(iv) When no administrative or judicial proceedings are held, all parties who claim a right, title, or interest in the seized liquor have been given notice and opportunity for a hearing to determine ((his or her))their right, title, or interest in the subject liquor. Claims of right, title, or interest in seized liquor must be made to the board, in writing, within ((thirty))30 days of the date of seizure.
(2) If the liquor lawfully seized is in its original, sealed container, the board may either:
(a) Sell the unopened beer, wine, or spirits to the distributor selling the product at a negotiated price. The bill of sale must be kept for three years; or
(b) Upon written request from a law enforcement agency, provide the liquor to the law enforcement agency for bona fide training.
OTS-5801.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 88-16-025, filed 7/27/88)
WAC 314-12-040Prorating and refunding of feesDiscontinuance of business.
(1) Unless otherwise provided by law, there will be no prorating of any license fee.
(2) Upon denial or withdrawal of an application for license, adoption or change of trade name, or change of location, the fee tendered therewith shall be returned: Provided, however, such return shall not apply to the nonrefundable ((seventy-five dollar))$75 fee submitted with an application for a new annual retail license.
(3) When a license is suspended or ((cancelled))canceled, or the licensed business is discontinued, no refund of the license fee shall be made.
(4) Upon discontinuance of business for ((twenty-one))21 days or more by a licensee, ((he))they shall forthwith deliver up ((his))their license to the board, or representative of the board. A licensee who is not operating as a seasonal business and who has voluntarily discontinued sale of liquor in excess of ((forty-five))45 days will not be eligible for renewal of license for a subsequent year unless sale of liquor under the license is resumed on a permanent basis prior to the beginning of the next subsequent licensing period.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 10-19-065, filed 9/15/10, effective 10/16/10)
WAC 314-12-210Chronic public inebriation and alcohol impact areasPurpose.
(1) What is the purpose of the rules concerning chronic public inebriation and alcohol impact areas?
(a) The enabling statutes for the board are contained in chapter 66.08 RCW. These statutes authorize the board to exercise the police powers of the state for the protection of the welfare, health, peace, and safety of the people of Washington.
(b) The board's mandate to protect the welfare, health, peace, and safety of the people is to ensure that a liquor licensee conducts ((his or her))their business in a lawful manner and that the presence of a licensee's liquor sales does not unreasonably disturb the welfare, health, peace or safety of the surrounding community.
(c) The purpose of the rules concerning chronic public inebriation and alcohol impact areas is to establish a framework under which the board, in partnership with local government and community organizations, may act to mitigate negative impacts on a community's welfare, health, peace or safety that result from the presence of chronic public inebriation.
(d) For the purpose of these rules, chronic public inebriation exists when the effects of the public consumption of liquor or public intoxication occur in concentrations that endanger the welfare, health, peace or safety of a neighborhood or community.
(2) What do the rules concerning chronic public inebriation and alcohol impact areas seek to do? WAC 314-12-210 and 314-12-215 seek to:
(a) Establish an expanded local review process for liquor license applications, license assumptions, and renewals of active liquor licenses for businesses located within a recognized alcohol impact area;
(b) Establish standards under which the board may refuse to issue a liquor license; may refuse to permit a license assumption or renewal of a liquor license; may place conditions or restrictions upon the issuance, assumption or renewal of a license; or may place conditions or restrictions on an existing license located within the geographical boundaries of a recognized alcohol impact area; and
(c) Allow the board in specific circumstances to restrict the off-premises sale of certain liquor products or liquor product containers inside a recognized alcohol impact area.
OTS-5855.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-16-064, filed 7/31/24, effective 8/31/24)
WAC 314-12-215Alcohol impact areasDefinitionGuidelines.
(1) What is an alcohol impact area?
(a) An alcohol impact area is a geographic area located within a city, town or county, and that is adversely affected by chronic public inebriation or illegal activity associated with liquor sales or consumption.
(b) The board may place special conditions or restrictions upon off-premises sales privileges, liquor products, applicants, license assumptions or licensees that sell liquor for off-premises consumption (see subsection (3) of this section).
(c) The board applies a unique investigative and review process when evaluating liquor license applications, license assumptions or renewals for businesses located in an alcohol impact area.
(2) How is an alcohol impact area formed? A local authority (that is, a city, town or county) must first designate an alcohol impact area by ordinance and make good faith efforts for at least six months to mitigate the effects of chronic public inebriation with such ordinance before petitioning the board to recognize an alcohol impact area. The board must recognize an alcohol impact area before any unique review process, condition or restriction described in this rule may be applied. A local authority must meet certain conditions to achieve board recognition of an alcohol impact area.
(a) The geographic area of an alcohol impact area must not include the entire geographic area under the jurisdiction of a local authority. However, when a local authority designates a street as a boundary, the board encourages that the local authority include both sides of the street for greater effectiveness.
(b) The local authority ordinance must explain the rationale of the proposed boundaries, and describe the boundaries in such a way that:
(i) The board can determine which liquor licensees are in the proposed alcohol impact area; and
(ii) The boundaries are understandable to the public at large.
(c) A local authority must:
(i) Submit findings of fact that demonstrate a need for an alcohol impact area and how chronic public inebriation or illegal activity associated with liquor sales or consumption within a proposed alcohol impact area:
(A) Contributes to the deterioration of the general quality of life within an alcohol impact area; or
(B) Threatens the welfare, health, peace or safety of an alcohol impact area's visitors or occupants;
(ii) Submit findings of fact that demonstrate a pervasive pattern of public intoxication or public consumption of liquor as documented in: Crime statistics, police reports, emergency medical response data, detoxification reports, sanitation reports, public health records, community group petitions, public testimony or testimony by current or former chronic public inebriates.
(d) Minimum requirements for an alcohol impact area petition packet:
(i) Litter/trash survey and documented results. A litter/trash survey must be conducted within the proposed alcohol impact area boundaries for at least a four week period. Litter/trash surveys must be completed a minimum of twice a week. Use a GIS data map, or similar tool, to point out the "hot spots" of heavy alcohol consumption based on the litter/trash survey. Provide a list of alcohol products found in the litter/trash survey.
(ii) Photographic evidence of litter and drinking in public.
(iii) Law enforcement testimonial(s). Law enforcement testimonial must be from at least one law enforcement officer who frequently works within the proposed alcohol impact area boundaries. A testimonial must discuss the impact of high alcohol content or volume products within the proposed alcohol impact area boundaries and how implementation of an alcohol impact area would benefit the community.
(iv) Letters of support submitted by neighborhood councils, local agencies, schools or universities, business associations, fire departments, local businesses, or private citizens in the community.
(v) Crime statistics and police reports. Crime statistics and police reports must show the statistics for alcohol-related criminal activity within the proposed alcohol impact area boundaries, and must show evidence linking specific products with chronic public inebriation activity.
(e) After reviewing the alcohol impact area petition packet, the board may request supplemental materials to prove the necessity of an alcohol impact area. The supplemental materials may include:
(i) Additional testimonials submitted by citizens who would be directly affected by the proposed alcohol impact area.
(ii) Emergency medical response data. This information must provide evidence that chronic inebriation within the proposed alcohol impact area requires an abnormally high amount of medical emergency care.
(iii) Sanitation reports. This information must provide evidence that chronic inebriation within the proposed alcohol impact area boundaries creates an abnormally high amount of sanitation problems.
(iv) Detoxification reports. This information must provide evidence that chronic inebriation within the proposed alcohol impact area requires an abnormally high amount of detoxification services.
(f) Submit documentation that demonstrates a local authority's past good faith efforts to control the problem through voluntary measures (see subsection (4) of this section). The voluntary compliance report must:
(i) Provide an executive summary of the results of the voluntary compliance period;
(ii) Provide evidence of the local authorities' efforts to control the problem through voluntary measures; and
(iii) Explain why the voluntary measures were not effective and how mandatory restrictions will help address the problem.
(g) Request additional conditions or restrictions and explain how the conditions or restrictions will reduce chronic public inebriation or illegal activity associated with off-premises sales or liquor consumption (see subsection (3) of this section).
(3) What conditions or restrictions may the board recognize for an alcohol impact area?
(a) Restrictions may include, but are not limited to:
(i) Limitations on business hours of operation for off-premises liquor sales;
(ii) Restrictions on off-premises sale of certain liquor products within an alcohol impact area; and
(iii) Restrictions on container sizes available for off-premises sale.
(b) The board has adopted a standardized list of products that will be banned in alcohol impact areas. The list can be found on the LCB website. The list contains products that are banned in the majority of current alcohol impact areas. Requests for additional product restrictions (for example, prohibition of sale of certain liquor products or container sizes) must originate from a local authority's law enforcement agency or public health authority, whereas restrictions affecting business operations (for example, hours of operation) may originate from a local authority's law enforcement agency, public authority or governing body. Product restrictions must be reasonably linked to problems associated with chronic public inebriation or illegal activity. Reasonable links include, but are not limited to: Police, fire or emergency medical response statistics; photographic evidence; law enforcement, citizen or medical-provider testimonial; testimony by current or former chronic public inebriates; litter pickup; or other statistically documented evidence.
(c) After the board has recognized an alcohol impact area the local authority may request the board approve additional products to their banned products list provided that the products are reasonably linked to the problems associated with chronic public inebriation or illegal activity. Reasonable links include, but are not limited to: Police, fire or emergency medical response statistics; photographic evidence; law enforcement, citizen or medical-provider testimonial; testimony by current or former chronic public inebriates; litter pickup; or other statistically documented evidence.
(d) A local authority may propose the removal of a condition, restriction or product from its alcohol impact area's restricted product list provided that a local authority demonstrates its reason (such as, a product is no longer produced or bottled) to the board in writing.
(4) What types of voluntary efforts must a local authority attempt before the board will recognize an alcohol impact area?
(a) A local authority must notify all off-premises sales licensees in a proposed alcohol impact area that:
(i) Behavior associated with liquor sales and associated illegal activity is impacting chronic public inebriation; and
(ii) Existing voluntary options are available to them to remedy the problem.
(b) A local authority's efforts must include additional voluntary actions. Examples include, but are not limited to:
(i) Collaborative actions with neighborhood citizens, community groups or business organizations to promote business practices that reduce chronic public inebriation;
(ii) Attempts to achieve voluntary agreements with off-premises sales licensees to promote public welfare, health, peace or safety;
(iii) Requesting licensees to voluntarily discontinue selling products that are considered contributing to the problem;
(iv) Distribution of educational materials to chronic public inebriates or licensees;
(v) Detoxification services;
(vi) Business incentives to discourage the sale of problem products; or
(vii) Change in land use ordinances.
(c) A local authority must implement these voluntary agreements for at least six months before a local authority may present documentation to the board that voluntary efforts failed to adequately mitigate the effects of chronic public inebriation and need augmentation.
(5) What will the board do once it recognizes an alcohol impact area?
(a) The board will notify, in a timely manner, the appropriate liquor distributors of the product restrictions.
(b) The board will notify, in a timely manner, all off-premises sales licensees in a proposed or existing alcohol impact area whenever the board recognizes, or recognizes changes to, an alcohol impact area (see subsection (7) of this section).
(6) What is the review process for liquor license applications, license assumptions, and renewals inside an alcohol impact area?
(a) When the board receives an application for a new liquor license or a license assumption that includes an off-premises sales privilege, the board will establish an extended time period of 60 calendar days for a local authority to comment upon the application.
(i) A local authority may, and is encouraged to, submit comment before the end of a comment period. A local authority may request an extension of a comment period when unusual circumstances, which must be explained in the request, require additional time for comment.
(ii) A local authority will notify a licensee or applicant when a local authority requests the board to extend a 60-day comment period.
(b) For renewals, the board will notify a local authority at least 90 calendar days before a current license expires. The same requirements in (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection apply to the 90-day comment period for problem renewals. For the purposes of this section, a problem renewal means a licensee, a licensed business or a licensed location with a documented history of noncompliance or illegal activity.
(7) When and for how long will an alcohol impact area be in effect, and may an alcohol impact area be changed?
(a) An alcohol impact area takes effect on the day that the board passes a resolution to recognize an alcohol impact area. However, product prohibitions take effect no less than 30 calendar days after the board passes such resolution in order to give retailers and distributors sufficient time to remove products from their inventories.
(b) An alcohol impact area remains in effect until:
(i) A local authority repeals the enabling ordinance that defines an alcohol impact area;
(ii) A local authority requests that the board revoke its recognition of an alcohol impact area;
(iii) The board repeals its recognition of an alcohol impact area of its own initiative and following a public hearing; or
(iv) A local authority fails to comply with subsection (8) of this section.
(c) A local authority may petition the board to modify an alcohol impact area's geographic boundaries, repeal or modify an existing condition or restriction, or create a new condition or restriction. The board may agree to do so provided that a local authority shows good cause and submits supporting documentation as contained in subsections (2) and (3) of this section.
(d) Prohibition of a new product added to an existing prohibited products list takes effect no sooner than 30 calendar days following the board's recognition of a modified prohibited products list.
(8) Reporting requirements and five-year assessments.
(a) A year after the implementation of the alcohol impact area a local authority shall submit a report to the board that clearly demonstrates the intended effectiveness of an alcohol impact area's conditions or restrictions. The report is due no later than 60 calendar days following the first anniversary of the implementation of the alcohol impact area. The report must include the same categories of information and statistics that were originally used to request the alcohol impact area.
(b) The board will conduct an assessment of an alcohol impact area once every five years following the fifth, 10th, 15th, et cetera, anniversary of the board's recognition of the alcohol impact area. The five-year assessment process is as follows:
(i) Within 20 calendar days of receiving a local authority's fifth, 10th, 15th, et cetera, report, the board shall notify affected parties of the upcoming assessment, whereupon an affected party has 20 calendar days to comment upon, or petition the board to discontinue its recognition of, an alcohol impact area (see (d) of this subsection). Affected parties may include, but are not limited to: Liquor licensees, citizens or neighboring local authorities.
(ii) An affected party may submit a written request for one 20 calendar-day extension of the comment/petition period, which the board may grant provided that an affected party provides sufficient reason why ((he or she is))they are unable to meet the initial 20-day deadline.
(iii) The board will complete an assessment within 60 calendar days following the close of the final comment/petition period.
(c) An assessment shall include an analysis of:
(i) The same categories of information and statistics that were originally used to request the alcohol impact area; and
(ii) Comments or petitions submitted by affected parties.
An assessment may also include modifications that a local authority must make to an alcohol impact area as required by the board, or the board's reasons for revoking recognition of an alcohol impact area.
(d) To successfully petition the board to discontinue its recognition of an alcohol impact area, an affected party must:
(i) Submit findings of fact that demonstrate how chronic public inebriation or illegal activity associated with liquor sales or consumption within a proposed alcohol impact area does not or no longer:
(A) Contributes to the deterioration of the general quality of life within an alcohol impact area; or
(B) Threatens the welfare, health, peace or safety of an alcohol impact area's visitors or occupants;
(ii) Submit findings of fact that demonstrate the absence of a pervasive pattern of public intoxication or public consumption of liquor as documented in crime statistics, police reports, emergency medical response data, detoxification reports, sanitation reports, public health records or similar records; and
(iii) Demonstrate how the absence of conditions or restrictions will affect chronic public inebriation or illegal activity associated with off-premises sales or liquor consumption (see subsection (3) of this section).
(e) An affected party may submit a written request for one 20-day extension of the comment period, which the board may grant provided that an affected party provides sufficient reason why ((he or she is))they are unable to meet the 20-day deadline.
OTS-5802.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 10-01-091, filed 12/16/09, effective 1/16/10)
WAC 314-16-110Liquor purchases by spirits, beer, and wine licensees.
(1) Any employee authorized by the board may sell spirituous liquor at a discount of ((fifteen))15 percent from the retail price fixed by the board, together with all taxes, to any spirits, beer and wine restaurant, spirits, beer, and wine nightclub, spirits, beer, and wine club or sports/entertainment facility licensee upon presentation to such employee at the time of purchase of a special permit issued by the board to such licensee or through such other means of insuring identification of the authorized purchaser as are approved by the board. Prior to license delivery, a new licensee may, with board authorization, be sold discount liquor and beer and wine purchased under Title 66 RCW for the purpose of stocking the premises. The employee shall at the time of selling any spirituous liquor to a spirits, beer and wine restaurant, spirits, beer, and wine nightclub, spirits, beer, and wine club or sports/entertainment facility licensee make a record of the liquor so sold, together with the name of the spirits, beer and wine restaurant, spirits, beer, and wine nightclub, spirits, beer, and wine club or sports/entertainment facility licensee making the purchase. No sale of beer, wine, or spirituous liquor shall take place until the premises of the new licensee have been inspected by the board and the spirits, beer and wine restaurant, spirits, beer, and wine nightclub, spirits, beer, and wine club or sports/entertainment facility license is delivered.
(2) Every spirits, beer and wine restaurant, spirits, beer, and wine nightclub, spirits, beer, and wine club or sports/entertainment facility licensee, upon purchasing any spirituous liquor from the board, shall immediately cause such liquor to be delivered to ((his or her))their licensed premises, and ((he or she))they shall not remove or permit to be removed from said premises any bottle or other container containing such liquor, except pursuant to chapter 314-70 WAC or to return it to a state liquor store or agency, nor shall ((he or she))they dispose or allow to be disposed the liquor contained therein in any manner except as authorized by ((his or her))their license. A delivery service business may pick up more than one liquor order on the same day so long as each of said orders are delivered in the normal course of business on the same day without detour or diversion, except for those stops and deliveries as may be necessary to make deliveries to the other licensees whose order is also on the particular delivery vehicle. The possession of any bottle or other container purchased from the board at a discount by any person other than the licensee or said licensee's agents or employees who purchased the same, or the possession thereof at any place which is not the licensed premises of the licensee who purchased such liquor, shall be prima facie evidence that the licensee unlawfully permitted the removal thereof from ((his or her))their licensed premises. The licensee who permanently discontinues business, other than as a result of a legal distraint action, may remove open bottles of liquor from the premises for personal use upon payment to the board of an amount to be determined by the board in lieu of the discount and tax exemption in effect at that time.
(3) No licensee shall keep in or on the licensed premises any spirituous liquor which was not purchased from the board at a discount. Spirituous liquor not purchased at a discount from the board may be kept in or on the licensed premises under authority of a banquet permit issued pursuant to RCW 66.20.010(3) and chapter 314-18 WAC, but only during the specific date and time for which the banquet permit was issued. Notwithstanding any other provision of Title 314 WAC, a spirits, beer and wine licensee may display antique, unusual, or unique liquor bottles with or without liquor on the licensed premises if such bottles are used as part of the decor, and any such bottles containing liquor are locked securely in display cases, and are not for sale.
(4) No person, including anyone acting as the agent for another other than a spirits, beer and wine licensee shall keep or possess any bottle or other container containing spirituous liquor which was purchased from the board at a discount except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.
(5) All spirituous liquor in and on the licensed premises shall be made available at all times by every licensee for inspection by the board, and such licensee shall permit any authorized inspector of the board to make such tests or analyses, by spirit hydrometer or otherwise, as the inspector deems proper. Such inspectors are authorized to seize as evidence any bottles or other containers and the contents thereof which they have determined have been reused, refilled, tampered with, adulterated, diluted, fortified or substituted.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-18-097, filed 9/2/98, effective 10/3/98)
WAC 314-16-150No sale of liquor to minors, intoxicated persons, etc.
(1) No retail licensee shall give or otherwise supply liquor to any person under the age of ((twenty-one))21 years, either for ((his/her))their own use or for the use of ((his/her))their parent or of any other person; or to any person apparently under the influence of liquor; nor shall any licensee or employee thereof permit any person under the said age or in said condition to consume liquor on ((his/her))their premises, or on any premises adjacent thereto and under ((his/her))their control.
(2) No retail licensee shall permit any person apparently under the influence of liquor to physically possess liquor on the licensed premises.
OTS-5803.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 10-12-124, filed 6/2/10, effective 7/3/10)
WAC 314-17-020How long are class 12 and 13 permits good for?
(1) Class 12 and 13 permits are valid for five years. A class 12 or 13 permit expires on the first day of the month, five years following the month a student passes the standardized exam. For example, if a student passes the standardized exam on June 15, 2010, ((his or her))their class 12 or 13 permit will expire on July 1, 2015.
(2) A permit holder must retake a class 12 or 13 training course and pass the standardized exam to obtain a subsequent class 12 or 13 permit.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 10-12-124, filed 6/2/10, effective 7/3/10)
WAC 314-17-040May an ((eighteen to twenty))18 to 20 year-old student who takes and passes a class 12 training course upgrade to a class 12 permit upon turning ((twenty-one))21 without retaking the training course?
Yes.
(1) An ((eighteen, nineteen or twenty))18, 19, or 20 year-old person may take a class 12 training course and pass the corresponding exam; however, ((he or she))they may be issued only a class 13 permit. Upon turning ((twenty-one))21 years of age, such a person who obtains a class 13 permit after taking and passing a class 12 training course and exam may request that a provider or trainer upgrade ((his or her))their class 13 permit to a class 12 permit.
(2) The expiration date of an upgraded class 12 permit shall be the same expiration date as the original class 13 permit.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 10-12-124, filed 6/2/10, effective 7/3/10)
WAC 314-17-045How do I get a class 12 or 13 permit in Washington if I was trained in another state?
(1) If a person completes an alcohol server training course in another state and that training course is also certified in the state of Washington, ((he or she))they may receive a class 12 or 13 permit in Washington by completing the provider's board-certified Washington state supplement to the program and passing the standardized exam.
(2) A trainer or provider shall issue a class 12 or 13 permit, which will expire five years from the first day of the month following the date an original training course was taken. For example, if you complete a training course on June 15, 2010, your class 12 or 13 permit will expire on July 1, 2015.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 10-12-124, filed 6/2/10, effective 7/3/10)
WAC 314-17-065How does a provider receive certification for its trainers?
(1) To certify one of its trainers, a provider must complete a form provided by and returned to the board.
(2) A provider will contract only with a trainer who:
(a) Has a minimum of two years of post-secondary education in, or equivalent years of work experience in, one or more of the following fields:
(i) Training;
(ii) Education;
(iii) Law;
(iv) Law enforcement;
(v) Substance abuse rehabilitation; or
(vi) Sale and service of alcoholic beverages;
(b) Holds a class 12 permit;
(c) Meets the criminal history requirements (see WAC 314-17-070); and
(d) Meets the continuing education requirements (see WAC 314-17-050).
(3) The board may consider any information pertaining to a trainer's certification in any state, including any certification suspensions or revocations in the past five years. The board, at its discretion and in consideration of public safety, may also consider criminal history (see WAC 314-17-070), administrative violations, patterns of misconduct, and other applicable occurrences or circumstances when deciding to approve, deny, suspend or revoke a trainer's certification.
(4) The board will respond to a request for trainer certification within ((thirty))30 calendar days of receipt of a request, and then will either certify an applicant trainer or explain why an applicant trainer fails to meet the qualifications.
(5) A trainer may not begin to teach a training course until a trainer receives ((his or her))their certification from the board.
(6) A trainer must teach a provider's training program in its entirety as approved, and may not change the method of presentation or course content without approval from a provider and the board.
(7) It is the responsibility of a provider to keep the board informed of its current trainers. In this effort, a provider must notify the board within ((seventy-two))72 hours of the termination of a trainer or within ((seventy-two))72 hours of when a provider is notified that a trainer has terminated ((his or her))their employment.
OTS-5804.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-18-097, filed 9/2/98, effective 10/3/98)
WAC 314-18-030ApplicantsRetail liquor licensees ineligibleExceptions.
(1) Any person ((twenty-one))21 years of age or older, either for ((himself/herself))themselves or in a representative capacity on behalf of a society, organization, or business entity, may apply for a banquet permit which authorizes the service and consumption of liquor at a specific place upon a specific date.
(2) Retail liquor licensees are not eligible to apply for banquet permits for events to be held at, in, or upon such licensee's premises: Provided, however, that the licensee's ineligibility will not apply:
(a) When the application is by an established organization of members or auxiliary within a licensed club;
(b) Where grand openings, or special openings following new construction or substantial alterations, or when conventions are to be held on the licensed premises;
(c) Where special occasions such as employee Christmas parties, business anniversaries, etc., are held on the licensed premises;
(d) For functions held at locations other than the licensed premises.
(3) Banquet permits may be issued to qualified applicants for private functions on a chartered bus, chartered boat, chartered plane, or a chartered passenger car on a train.
(4) A banquet permit is not required for:
(a) Spirit, beer and wine sampling conducted in accordance with RCW 66.28.040 as implemented by chapter 314-64 WAC.
(b) Beer or wine provided by a brewery, winery, or distributor as part of a course of instruction for liquor licensees and/or their employees pursuant to RCW 66.28.150.
(5) The board interprets and will apply the relevant portions of the Liquor Act (RCW 66.20.010, 66.04.010(23), 66.04.010(26), 66.24.480, 66.24.481, and 66.44.100), reading them in pari materia, as not requiring a banquet permit to be obtained by an individual for a function when that individual is not acting with a business purpose or on behalf of an organization or business entity, where each of the following conditions are met:
(a) The function to be held by the individual is of a personal, noncommercial type which would normally be held in the individual's private home but for space considerations. Examples being a birthday party, wedding reception, bar mitzvah, etc. In lieu of holding the function in ((his or her))their home, the individual has arranged for use of a facility which is to be closed off from the public during the function and which is not on any licensed premises.
(b) The function is hosted by the individual personally. That is, there is no charge in any manner whatsoever for attendance, whether by admission charge, donation, dues, fees, or otherwise, and there is no charge in any manner whatsoever for anything provided at the function (i.e., mixer, setups, ice, food, hors d'oeuvres, etc.).
(c) That there is no business purpose for the function and that no pecuniary gain is intended or realized by the individual from the holding of the function.
(d) That those persons attending the function are the personal invitees of the individual holding it.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-18-097, filed 9/2/98, effective 10/3/98)
WAC 314-18-040Issuance feeRestrictions.
(1) Banquet permits may be issued by the board's stores and agencies to qualified applicants on forms provided by the board; the fee for each banquet permit will be ((ten dollars))$10.
(2) Except for outdoor areas, banquet permits will only be issued for use at premises that are or can be arranged so that the general public can be excluded therefrom.
(3) Where the application is for a banquet to be held either partially or wholly out-of-doors, the following restrictions will apply:
(a) State parks: State parks are exempt from the law requiring a license or permit to consume liquor in a public place (RCW 66.04.011). Banquet permits shall not be issued for the service and consumption of liquor in state parks.
(b) City and county parks: Applicants will be issued banquet permits only upon presentation of written approval from the appropriate local authority for the banquet applied for.
(c) Commercial parks (privately owned and operated): Store and agency managers may issue banquet permits for use in such commercial parks even though the event is to be held partly or wholly out-of-doors.
(d) All other outdoor areas: Issuance is conditioned upon approval of the area liquor enforcement officer.
(4) Where the application is for a banquet permit for an event to be held on a college or university campus or upon the premises of an elementary or high school, public or private; permits will be issued provided that approval, in writing, by an appropriate official of the college, university, elementary, or high school is furnished with the application.
(5) When the application is for a banquet permit for an event to be held in or at a state armory used for military purposes, permits will be issued provided that approval, in writing, by the adjutant general or ((his/her))their designee is furnished by the applicant to the board and to the chief of police of the incorporated city or town in which the armory is located or to the county sheriff if the armory is located outside the boundaries of incorporated cities or towns.
(6) Banquet permits will not be issued for use at premises that have a license issued by the board that is or will be suspended on the date of the scheduled banquet.
(7) The event for which the banquet permit application is made cannot be open to the public through general admission ticket sales.
(8) The event for which the banquet permit application is made cannot be open to the public or advertised to the public.
(9) Approval of the area enforcement officer is required for banquet permits intended for use in the cocktail lounge facilities or tap rooms of hotels, restaurants, and clubs, unless the entire premises under the control of the licensee is devoted to the banquet, and then only if all licensee liquor is removed from view and securely isolated.
(10) Where the application is for a banquet permit for an event to be held on a vessel under the jurisdiction of the Washington state ferry system; permits will be issued provided that approval, in writing, by an appropriate official of the Washington state ferry system is furnished with the application.
OTS-5805.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-02-006, filed 12/20/17, effective 1/20/18)
WAC 314-20-100Beer suppliers and distributors.
RCW 66.28.180 requires beer distributors and suppliers to maintain all current and prior price lists at its liquor licensed location.
(1) Definitions - For the purposes of this chapter:
(a) A "price list" means a declaration of the prices at which any and all brands of beer and any and all packages within a brand are to be sold by the person maintaining the list. Distributors must maintain a price list showing all such prices for sales to retailers. Each manufacturer functioning as a distributor must maintain a price list showing all such prices for sales to retailers as well as showing such prices for sales to distributors. The price list will contain the wholesale prices at which any and all brands of beer sold by the supplier or distributor shall be available to retailers within the state.
(b) A "beer supplier" means a microbrewery, domestic brewery, certificate of approval holder, beer importer, beer distributor acting as the first United States importer, or a distributor selling beer to another distributor.
(c) A "beer distributor" means a distributor selling to a retailer, a domestic brewery acting as a distributor, a microbrewery acting as a distributor, or a certificate of approval holder with a direct shipping to Washington retailer endorsement selling beer of its own production to a retailer.
(d) Third-party delivery is prohibited.
(2) Products and price lists - If a beer supplier or distributor lists selected items on which prices are temporarily reduced, these prices must clearly reflect all items and the selling price. All products must be made available to all retail licensees to the extent it is reasonably practical to do so and all retail licensees must be given reasonable notice of all prices and price changes.
(3) Distributor changes
(a) The following guidelines apply when a beer supplier makes a distributor change outside of the regular distributor appointment timelines. The supplier must notify the board in writing that ((he/she wishes))they wish to change ((his/her))their current distributor and appoint a new distributor to be effective immediately.
(b) A beer supplier must notify the board if any of the contracts or agreements listed in this rule are revised or terminated by either party.
(4) Price lists for new distributors - When the board issues a new beer distributor license, the licensee must have a price list available.
(5) Accommodation sales - The provisions of this rule do not apply when a beer distributor makes an accommodation sale to another beer distributor and this sale is made at a selling price that does not exceed the laid-in cost of the beer being sold. Accommodation sales may only be made when the distributor purchasing the beer is an appointed distributor of the supplier, when the distributor is an authorized purchaser of the brand and product being sold, and when the supplying distributor is appointed by the supplier.
OTS-5856.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-16-064, filed 7/31/24, effective 8/31/24)
WAC 314-21-025What are the guidelines for controlled purchase programs?
A retail liquor licensee may conduct an in-house controlled purchase program under the following conditions:
(1) The licensee must keep a statement on file signed by the licensee and each employee indicating that the employee has received training regarding the sale of liquor to persons under 21 years of age. Restaurant, tavern, or sports/entertainment facility licensees must keep on file either such a statement for each employee or a copy of the employee's mandatory alcohol server training permit. These records must be maintained on the licensed premises, available for inspection by the board, unless otherwise approved in writing by the liquor and cannabis board's enforcement and education division.
(2) During an in-house controlled purchase program, the person supervising the program must possess:
(a) The licensee's controlled purchase program procedures,
(b) The board's written approval of the in-house controlled purchase program, and
(c) Valid identification (see WAC 314-11-025 for a list of acceptable identification).
(3) The persons participating in the in-house controlled purchase program must be at least 18 years of age.
(4) The persons participating in the in-house controlled purchase program may not use fraudulent identification and should not be deceptively mature in appearance.
(5) The licensee must ensure that two photos are taken of the persons participating in the in-house controlled purchase program on the day of the program. One photo must be full face and one photo must show the employee from head to toe. These photos must be maintained on the licensed premises, available for inspection by the board.
(6) If persons participating in the in-house controlled purchase program are paid for their time, the compensation of such persons may not be based on the number of successful purchases made during the course of the in-house controlled purchase program.
(7) The licensee must have written procedures that ensure any liquor purchased by an 18, 19, or 20 year old person during an in-house controlled purchase program is adequately secured by the licensee or an employee who is at least 21 years of age immediately following an occurrence of any purchase.
(8) Per RCW 66.44.290, the licensee must provide ((his/her))their employees a written description of the employer's in-house controlled purchase program, which must include a notice of action an employer may take as a consequence of an employee's failure to comply with the employer's policies regarding the sale of alcohol during an in-house controlled purchase program.
(9) Per RCW 66.44.290, a licensee may not terminate an employee solely for a first-time failure to comply with the licensee's policies regarding the sale of alcohol during an in-house controlled purchase program.
(10) If a licensee's controlled purchase program fails to meet any of the requirements of RCW 66.44.290, WAC 314-21-015, or 314-21-025, the board may revoke its approval to conduct in-house controlled purchase programs. The licensee may reapply for approval to conduct in-house controlled purchase programs not less than one year following the board's revocation of approval.
OTS-5857.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-16-064, filed 7/31/24, effective 8/31/24)
WAC 314-24-115Wine importersRequirements.
(1) Principal office: Each wine importer shall keep the board informed at all times of the location of the principal office required by the Washington State Liquor Act and shall, not less than 30 days prior thereto notify the board in writing of any change in the location of such office.
(2) Warehouses: Wine importers maintaining warehouses at which wine imported by such importer is stored shall have the location approved by the board.
(3) Certain duties: No wine importer shall import or transport or cause to be transported into the state of Washington any brand of wine manufactured within the United States but outside the state of Washington, unless such importer shall have first filed with the board a notice of ((his))their intention so to do, and shall have ascertained from the board that the winery manufacturing such wine has obtained from the Washington state liquor and cannabis board a certificate of approval as provided in the Washington State Liquor Act (section 10, chapter 21, Laws of 1969 ex. sess.).
OTS-5806.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 23-20-039, filed 9/27/23, effective 10/28/23)
WAC 314-24-190Wine suppliers and distributors.
(1) Definitions - For the purposes of this chapter:
(a) A "wine supplier" means a domestic winery, certificate of approval holder, wine importer, wine distributor acting as the first United States importer, or a distributor selling wine to another distributor.
(b) A "wine distributor" means a distributor selling to a retailer or a holder of an annual special permit for short-term rental owners under RCW 66.20.010, a domestic winery acting as a distributor, or a certificate of approval holder with a direct shipping to Washington retailer endorsement selling wine of its own production to a retailer.
(2) Products - All products must be made available to all retail licensees to the extent it is reasonably practical to do so.
(3) Distributor changes:
(a) The following guidelines apply when a wine supplier makes a distributor change. The supplier must notify the board in writing that ((he/she wishes))they wish to change ((his/her))their current distributor and appoint a new distributor.
(b) A wine supplier must notify the board if any of the contracts or agreements listed in this rule are revised or terminated by either party.
(4) Accommodation sales - The provisions of this rule do not apply when a wine distributor makes an accommodation sale to another wine distributor and this sale is made at a selling price that does not exceed the laid-in cost of the wine being sold. Accommodation sales may only be made when the distributor purchasing the wine is an appointed distributor of the supplier, when the distributor is an authorized purchaser of the brand and product being sold, and when the supplying distributor is appointed by the supplier.
OTS-5807.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-18-097, filed 9/2/98, effective 10/3/98)
WAC 314-25-040Delivery of beer and wineRecords.
(1) Sales made by a ships chandler of beer and wine to an approved recipient may only be delivered to another ships chandler, a vessel for use in foreign commerce, a contracted Interstate Common Carrier, or employees thereof.
(2) Beer and wine may only be delivered when the ships chandler has on file a signed statement, in a format approved by the board, which indicates the captain of the ship or manager of the authorized purchasing business understands and agrees that:
(a) No beer or wine purchased will be consumed in Washington waters or territory or within three miles of the shores of the state of Washington;
(b) No beer or wine purchased will be consumed while the ship is docked in a Washington port; and
(c) Local law enforcement officers and board enforcement officers have the right to board and inspect the vessel while in Washington waters.
(3) Every statement will be notarized and remain valid for ((twelve))12 calendar months after the date of signing and be signed by the master of the ship or ((his/her))their agent with the ships stamp affixed and countersigned by the ships chandler or their employee.
(4) A ships chandler or their employee must deliver any beer and wine directly to an authorized recipient purchasing the alcoholic beverage and it must be immediately placed into a locked storage area. The ships chandler must obtain the signature and printed name of the master or agent of the ship, ships chandler licensee or contracted Interstate Common Carrier on the delivery document which will contain the following information:
(a) Name of ship;
(b) Country of registry, if known;
(c) Type and amount of product delivered;
(d) Date of delivery;
(e) Name and address of ships chandler making the sale; and
(f) Signature and printed name of crew member receiving the liquor.
(5) The ships chandler will maintain records of all sales to ships, ships chandler licensees and Interstate Common Carrier approved licensees doing business in foreign commerce to include all federally mandated documents including order forms, bills of lading, affidavits, delivery to auxiliary location, etc., for a period of two years. Such records, or their computerized equivalent, will be available for inspection and copying by employees of the board upon request.
(6) Board employees have the right to enter and inspect, without warrant, any business, ship, aircraft, vessel, or transport vehicle from which beer and wine is delivered to or from a licensed ships chandler.
OTS-5808.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-02-006, filed 12/20/17, effective 1/20/18)
WAC 314-28-100Consumer orders, internet sales, and delivery for distillery and craft distillery licensees.
A distillery or craft distillery licensee may accept orders for spirits from, and deliver spirits to, customers.
(1) Resale. Spirits shall not be for resale.
(2) Stock location. Spirits must come directly from a licensed distillery or craft distillery possession.
(3) How to place an order. Spirits may be ordered in person at a licensed location, by mail, telephone, or internet, or by other similar methods.
(4) Sales and payment.
(a) Only a spirits distillery or craft distillery licensee or a licensee's direct employees may accept and process orders and payments. A contractor may not do so on behalf of a spirits distillery or craft distillery licensee, except for transmittal of payment through a third-party service.
The use of internet or mobile applications for retail customers to purchase alcohol in Washington state are allowed under the following conditions:
(i) The internet sale will be made by the distillery;
(ii) The payment for the sale will be processed by the distillery; and
(iii) The distillery pays the owner of the internet or mobile application a service fee.
(b) All orders and payments shall be fully processed before spirits transfers ownership or, in the case of delivery, leaves a licensed distillery's possession.
(c) All orders and payments shall be fully processed before spirits transfers ownership or, in the case of delivery, leaves a licensed distillery's or craft distillery's possession.
(d) Payment method. Payment methods include, but are not limited to: Cash, credit or debit card, check or money order, electronic funds transfer, or an existing prepaid account. An existing prepaid account may not have a negative balance.
(e) Internet. To sell spirits via the internet, a new spirits distillery or craft distillery license applicant must request internet sales privileges in ((his or her))their application. An existing spirits distillery or craft distillery licensee must notify the board prior to beginning internet sales. A corporate entity representing multiple stores may notify the board in a single letter on behalf of affiliated spirits distillery or craft distillery licensees, as long as the liquor license numbers of all licensee locations utilizing internet sales privileges are clearly identified.
(5) Delivery location. Delivery shall be made only to a residence or business that has an address recognized by the United States postal service; however, the board may grant an exception to this rule at its discretion. A residence includes a hotel room, a motel room, or other similar lodging that temporarily serves as a residence.
(6) Hours of delivery. Spirits may be delivered each day of the week between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Delivery must be fully completed by 2:00 a.m.
(7) Age requirement.
(a) Under chapter 66.44 RCW, any person under ((twenty-one))21 years of age is prohibited from purchasing, delivering, or accepting delivery of liquor.
(b) A delivery person must verify the age of the person accepting delivery before handing over liquor.
(c) If no person ((twenty-one))21 years of age or older is present to accept a liquor order at the time of delivery, the liquor shall be returned.
(8) Intoxication. Delivery of liquor is prohibited to any person who shows signs of intoxication.
(9) Containers and packaging.
(a) Individual units of spirits must be factory sealed in bottles. For the purposes of this subsection, "factory sealed" means that a unit is in ((one hundred))100 percent resalable condition, with all manufacturer's seals intact.
(b) The outermost surface of a liquor package, delivered by a third party, must have language stating that:
(i) The package contains liquor;
(ii) The recipient must be ((twenty-one))21 years of age or older; and
(iii) Delivery to intoxicated persons is prohibited.
(10) Required information.
(a) Records and files shall be retained at the licensed premises. Each delivery sales record shall include the following:
(i) Name of the purchaser;
(ii) Name of the person who accepts delivery;
(iii) Street addresses of the purchaser and the delivery location; and
(iv) Time and date of purchase and delivery.
(b) A private carrier must obtain the signature of the person who receives liquor upon delivery.
(c) A sales record does not have to include the name of the delivery person, but it is encouraged.
(11) Website requirements. When selling over the internet, all website pages associated with the sale of liquor must display the spirits distillery or craft distillery licensee's registered trade name.
(12) Accountability. A spirits distillery or craft distillery licensee shall be accountable for all deliveries of liquor made on its behalf.
(13) Violations. The board may impose administrative enforcement action upon a licensee, or suspend or revoke a licensee's delivery privileges, or any combination thereof, should a licensee violate any condition, requirement, or restriction.
OTS-5809.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 08-17-038, filed 8/14/08, effective 9/14/08)
WAC 314-29-007How may a licensee challenge the summary suspension of ((his or her))their liquor license?
(1) Upon summary suspension of a license or permit by the board pursuant to WAC 314-29-006, an affected licensee or permit holder may petition the board for a stay of suspension pursuant to RCW 34.05.467 and 34.05.550(1). A petition for a stay of suspension must be received by the board within ((fifteen))15 days of service of the summary suspension order. The petition for stay shall state the basis on which the stay is sought.
(2) A hearing shall be held before an administrative law judge within ((fourteen))14 days of receipt of a timely petition for stay. The hearing shall be limited to consideration of whether a stay should be granted, or whether the terms of the suspension may be modified to allow the conduct of limited activities under current licenses or permits.
(3) Any hearing conducted pursuant to subsection (2) of this section shall be a brief adjudicative proceeding under RCW 34.05.485. The agency record for the hearing shall consist of the documentary information upon which the summary suspension was based. The licensee or permit holder shall have the burden of demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that:
(a) The licensee or permit holder is likely to prevail upon the merits at hearing;
(b) Without relief, the licensee or permit holder will suffer irreparable injury. For purposes of this section, elimination of income from licensed or permitted activities shall not be deemed irreparable injury;
(c) The grant of relief will not substantially harm other parties to the proceedings; and
(d) The threat to the public health, safety, or welfare is not sufficiently serious to justify continuation of the suspension, or that modification of the terms of the suspension will adequately protect the public interest.
(4) The initial order on stay shall be effective immediately upon service unless another date is specified in the order.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 18-21-115, filed 10/17/18, effective 11/17/18)
WAC 314-29-040Information about liquor license suspensions.
(1) On the date a liquor license suspension goes into effect, a liquor and cannabis board enforcement officer will post a suspension notice in a conspicuous place on or about the licensed premises. This notice will state that the license has been suspended by order of the liquor and cannabis board due to a violation of a board law or rule.
(2) During the period of liquor license suspension, the licensee and employees:
(a) Are required to maintain compliance with all applicable liquor laws and rules;
(b) May not remove, alter, or cover the posted suspension notice, and may not permit another person to do so;
(c) May not place or permit the placement of any statement on the licensed premises indicating that the premises have been closed for any reason other than as stated in the suspension notice (see WAC 314-01-005 for the definition of "licensed premises").
(d) May not advertise by any means that the licensed premises is closed for any reason other than as stated in the liquor and cannabis board's suspension notice.
(3) During the period of liquor license suspension:
(a) A retail liquor licensee may operate ((his/her))their business provided there is no sale, delivery, service, consumption, removal, or receipt of liquor. No banquet permit or special occasion function may be held on the premises during a period of liquor license suspension.
(b) A nonretail licensee may operate ((his/her))their business provided there is no sale, delivery, service, consumption, removal, or receipt of liquor.
(c) A manufacturer of alcohol may do whatever is necessary as a part of the manufacturing process to keep current stock that is on hand at the time of the suspension from spoiling or becoming unsaleable during a suspension, provided it does not include bottling the product. The manufacturer may not receive any agricultural products used in the production of alcohol, crush fruit, or bottle alcohol during the period of suspension.
OTS-5858.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-16-064, filed 7/31/24, effective 8/31/24)
WAC 314-34-020Information about cigarette and/or tobacco products license suspensions.
(1) On the date a cigarette and/or tobacco products license suspension goes into effect, a liquor enforcement officer will post a suspension notice in a conspicuous place on or about the licensed premises. This notice will state that the license has been suspended by order of the liquor and cannabis board due to a violation of a cigarette or tobacco products law or rule.
(2) During the period of cigarette and/or tobacco products license suspension, the licensee and employees:
(a) Are required to maintain compliance with all applicable cigarette and tobacco products laws and rules;
(b) May not remove, alter, or cover the posted suspension notice, and may not permit another person to do so;
(c) May not place or permit the placement of any statement on the licensed premises indicating that the premises have been closed for any reason other than as stated in the suspension notice;
(d) May not advertise by any means that the licensed premises is closed for any reason other than as stated in the liquor and cannabis board's suspension notice.
(3) During the period of cigarette and tobacco products license suspension:
(a) A retail cigarette and/or tobacco products licensee may operate ((his/her))their business provided there is no sale, delivery, removal, or receipt of cigarette and tobacco products.
(b) A cigarette wholesaler and tobacco products distributor licensee may operate ((his/her))their business provided there is no sale, delivery, removal, or receipt of cigarette and tobacco products.
OTS-5810.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 20-01-074, filed 12/11/19, effective 1/1/20)
WAC 314-35-060Seizure of vapor products.
(1) Any vapor products in the possession of a person acting as a distributor or retailer of vapor products, and who is not licensed as required under this chapter, chapter 70.345 RCW or both, or a person who is selling vapor products in violation of RCW 82.24.550(6), may be seized without a warrant by any agent of the board. Any vapor products seized under this subsection are deemed forfeited.
(2) Any vapor products in the possession of a person who is not a licensed distributor, delivery seller, retailer, or a manufacturer's representative, and who transports vapor products for sale without having provided notice to the board as required under WAC 314-35-053, or without invoices or delivery tickets showing the true name and address of the consignor or seller, the true name and address of the consignee or purchaser, and the quantity and brands of vapor products being transported may be seized and are subject to forfeiture.
(3) All conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles, or vessels that are used, or intended for use to transport, or in any manner to facilitate the transportation, for the purpose of sale or receipt of vapor products under this section, may be seized and are subject to forfeiture except:
(a) A conveyance used by any person as a common or contract carrier having in actual possession invoices or delivery tickets showing the true name and address of the consignor or seller, the true name of the consignee or purchaser, and the quantity and brands of the vapor products transported, unless it appears that the owner or other person in charge of the conveyance is a consenting party or privy to a violation of this chapter;
(b) A conveyance subject to forfeiture under this section by reason of any act or omission of which the owner establishes to have been committed or omitted without ((his or her))their knowledge or consent; or
(c) A conveyance encumbered by a bona fide security interest if the secured party neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission.
(4) Property subject to forfeiture under subsections (2) and (3) of this section may be seized by any agent of the board upon process issued by any superior court or district court having jurisdiction over the property.
(5) Seizure without process may be made if:
(a) The seizure is incident to an arrest or a search warrant; or
(b) The board has probable cause to believe that the property was used or is intended to be used in violation of this chapter and exigent circumstances exist making procurement of a search warrant impracticable.
(6) This section may not be construed to require the seizure of vapor products if the board's agent reasonably believes that the vapor products are possessed for personal consumption by the person in possession of the vapor products.
(7) Any vapor products seized by a law enforcement officer must be turned over to the board as soon as practicable.
OTS-5811.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-24-032, filed 11/28/12, effective 12/29/12)
WAC 314-42-120Conduct of brief adjudicative proceedings.
(1) Brief adjudicative proceedings shall be conducted by a presiding officer for brief adjudicative proceedings designated by the board. The presiding officer for brief adjudicative proceedings shall have agency expertise in the subject matter but shall not have personally participated in the decision to issue the initiating document.
(2) The parties or their representatives may present written documentation. The presiding officer for brief adjudicative proceedings shall designate the date by which written documents must be submitted by the parties.
(3) The presiding officer for brief adjudicative proceedings may, in ((his or her))their discretion, entertain oral argument from the parties or their representatives.
(4) No witnesses may appear to testify.
(5) The presiding officer for brief adjudicative proceedings shall not issue an oral order. Within ((ten))10 business days of the final date for submission of materials or oral argument, if any, the presiding officer for brief adjudicative proceedings shall enter an initial order.
OTS-5812.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 12-17-006, filed 8/1/12, effective 9/1/12)
WAC 314-44-005Agent's license requiredEligible employers definedCertain classes limitedBona fide entity definedProhibited practices.
(1) No person shall canvass for, solicit, receive or take orders for the purchase or sale of any liquor, or act as the agent for the purchase or sale of liquor, nor contact any licensees of the board in goodwill activities, unless such person is holder of an agent's license as provided in RCW 66.24.310, and this regulation.
(2) An agent's license may be issued to the accredited representative of a person, firm, or corporation within the state of Washington holding any of the following licenses:
(a) A beer certificate of approval license;
(b) A beer distributor's license;
(c) A brewer's license;
(d) A beer importer's license;
(e) A wine certificate of approval license;
(f) A wine distributor license;
(g) A domestic winery license;
(h) A wine importer's license;
(i) A spirits certificate of approval license;
(j) A spirits distributor license;
(k) A distiller or craft distiller license; or
(l) A spirits importer license.
(3) An agent's license may be issued to the accredited representative of a distiller, manufacturer, importer, or distributor of spirituous liquor, or foreign produced beer or wine. A person, firm, or corporation so qualified, is herein defined to be an eligible employer. Such employer shall apply to the board for such an agent's license for ((his))their accredited representatives on application forms prescribed and furnished by the board. This subsection shall not apply to drivers who deliver beer or wine or to domestic wineries or their employees. Employees of a domestic winery must have identification on them that indicates they work for the winery. Identification may be in the form of a winery's business card, employee badge, or similar identification.
(4) Any person acting as an independent contractor for a winery must have an agent's license. An independent contractor is defined as an independent business person who runs ((his or her))their own business that provides services to another individual or business. The independent contractor is a separate business entity. The earnings of a person who is working as an independent contractor are subject to self-employment tax.
(5) Every firm which applies for an agent's license under the provisions of this section shall furnish the board with satisfactory proof that such firm is in fact a bona fide business entity.
(6) Only the licensed agent of a distiller, manufacturer, importer, or distributor of spirituous liquor may contact retail licensees in goodwill activities when such contacts pertain to spirituous liquor products.
(7) No distiller, manufacturer, importer, or distributor, or agent thereof, shall allow, pay or rebate, directly or indirectly, any cash or merchandise to any retail licensee to induce or promote the sale of liquor, including the payment of tips to such licensees or their employees and the purchasing of drinks "for the house." Such persons, firms and licensees must operate in conformity with WAC 314-12-140, RCW 66.28.010, 66.28.040, and other applicable laws and rules.
(8) Upon the termination of the employment of a licensed agent, ((his))their employer shall immediately notify the board and with such notice return to the board the agent's license issued to such person.
OTS-5859.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-16-064, filed 7/31/24, effective 8/31/24)
WAC 314-60-080Requests for public records.
An individual may request a public record orally or in writing. The LCB encourages all public records requests be submitted in writing. Public records requests may be sent to the LCB via email at publicrecords@lcb.wa.gov.
(1) A form for public records requests prescribed by the LCB is available at its main office and on its website at lcb.wa.gov. A written request or public records request form must be submitted or presented to the public records officer or designee and may be sent to the LCB via email at publicrecords@lcb.wa.gov. The request should include the following information:
(a) The name, organization, mailing address, telephone number, and email address of the requestor;
(b) The date and time of day of the request;
(c) Identification of the public records sought, in a form or description adequate for the public records officer to identify and locate the records;
(d) If the matter requested is referenced within the current index maintained by the board, a reference to the requested record as described; and
(e) The address where copies of the record are to be mailed or emailed, or notification that the requestor wants to examine the record at the LCB.
(2) If the public records officer or designee accepts a request other than in writing, ((he or she))they will confirm receipt of the information and the substance of the request in writing.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 24-16-064, filed 7/31/24, effective 8/31/24)
WAC 314-60-085Processing public records requests.
(1) Order of processing public records requests. The public records officer or designee will process requests in the order allowing the most requests to be processed in the most efficient manner.
(2) Acknowledging receipt of request. Within five business days after receipt of the request, the public records officer or designee will do one or more of the following:
(a) Provide the records or make the records available for inspection and copying depending on the nature of the request;
(b) If copies are requested and payment of a deposit for copies, if any, is made or terms of payment agreed upon, send the copies to the requestor;
(c) Provide a reasonable estimate of when records will be available; or
(d) If the request is unclear or does not sufficiently identify the requested records, request clarification from the requestor. Such clarification may be requested and provided by telephone. The public records officer or designee may revise the estimate of when records will be available; or
(e) Deny the request.
(3) If no response is received. If the public records officer does not respond in writing within five business days after the day of receipt of the request for disclosure, the requestor should consider contacting the public records officer to ensure that the LCB received the request.
(4) Protecting the rights of others. If the requested records contain information that may affect rights of others and may be exempt from disclosure, the public records officer or designee may, prior to providing the records, give notice to such others whose rights may be affected by the disclosure. Such notice should be given so as to make it possible for those other persons to contact the requestor and ask ((him or her))them to revise the request, or, if necessary, seek an order from a court to prevent or limit the disclosure. The notice to the affected persons will include a copy of the request.
(5) Records exempt from disclosure. Some records are exempt from disclosure, in whole or in part, under chapter 42.56 RCW or as otherwise provided by law. If the LCB believes that a record is exempt from disclosure and should be withheld, the public records officer or designee will state the specific exemption and provide a brief explanation of why the record or a portion of the record is being withheld. If only a portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, but the remainder is not exempt, the public records officer or designee will redact the exempt portions, provide the nonexempt portions, and indicate to the requestor why portions of the record are being redacted.
(6) Inspection of records.
(a) Consistent with other demands, the LCB shall promptly provide space to inspect public records. No member of the public may remove a document from the viewing area or disassemble or alter any document. If, after inspecting a record or records, the requestor wishes to receive a copy of a particular record or records, ((he or she))they should so indicate to the public records officer or designee. Copies will be provided pursuant to subsection (7) of this section.
(b) The requestor must review the assembled records within 30 days of the LCB's notification to ((him or her))them that the records are available for inspection. The agency will notify the requestor in writing of this requirement and inform the requestor that ((he or she))they should contact the agency to make arrangements to review the records. If the requestor or a representative of the requestor fails to review the records within the 30-day period or make other arrangements, the LCB may close the request. If the requestor subsequently files the same or a substantially similar request, that subsequent request will be considered a new request and will be processed in the order allowing the greatest number of requests to be processed in the most efficient manner.
(7) Providing copies of records.
(a) Upon request, the public records officer or designee will provide copies of requested records. Copies may be provided in either hard copy or electronic format, as requested. The cost for copies is set forth in WAC 314-60-090 and costs for copies of records must be paid to the LCB prior to delivery of copies of records.
(b) Copies may be mailed or emailed to the requestor, or made available for pickup at the LCB's offices, depending on the format of the records and the request of the requestor. If the copies are available for pickup at the LCB's offices, the requestor must pay for and pick up the copies within 30 days of the LCB's notification to ((him or her))them that the copies are available for pickup. The LCB will notify the requestor in writing of this requirement and inform the requestor that ((he or she))they should contact the LCB to make arrangements to pay for and pick up the copies. If the requestor fails to pay for or pick up the copies within the 30-day period, or fails to make other arrangements, the LCB may close the request. If the requestor subsequently files the same or a substantially similar request, that subsequent request will be considered a new request and will be processed in the order allowing the greatest number of requests to be processed in the most efficient manner.
(8) Electronic records. The process for requesting electronic public records is the same as for requesting paper public records. When a person requests records in an electronic format, the public records officer will provide the nonexempt records, or portions of such records that are reasonably locatable, in an electronic format that is used by the LCB and is generally commercially available, or in a format that is reasonably translatable from the format in which the LCB keeps the record.
(9) Providing records in installments. When the request is for a large number of records, the public records officer or designee will provide access for inspection or copies of records in installments, if ((he or she))they reasonably determines that it would be practical to provide the records in that way. Costs for each installment of copies of records must be paid to the LCB prior to delivery of the installment. If, within 30 days, the requestor fails to pay for one or more of the installments, the public records officer or designee may stop searching for the remaining records and close the request.
(10) Completion of inspection. When the inspection of the requested records is complete and all requested copies are provided, the public records officer or designee will indicate that the LCB has completed the records request and made any located nonexempt records available for inspection.
(11) Closing withdrawn or abandoned request. When the requestor either withdraws the request or fails to fulfill his or her obligations to inspect the records or pay the deposit or final payment for the requested copies, the public records officer or designee will close the request and indicate the closure to the requestor.
(12) Later discovered documents. If, after the LCB has informed the requestor that it has provided all available records and closed a request, the LCB becomes aware of additional responsive records existing at the time of the request, it will promptly inform the requestor of the additional records and provide them on an expedited basis.