Washington County Authorizes Liquor Sales (Updated)
Update (8.23.22): Following the countrywide vote, three new quota liquor licenses will be issued in Washington County. Click here for more information on the public drawing to award these new licenses.
The Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco’s release and the original version of this article are below.
WASHINGTON COUNTY HAS VOTED TO END “DRY COUNTY” STATUS
On January 21, 2022, Washington County held a local option election pursuant to Chapter 567, Florida Statutes, in which a majority of registered voters approved of permitting the sale of intoxicating liquors and the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises and sales by the package.
HOW DOES THIS IMPACT MY LICENSE OPTIONS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY?
On April 26, 2022, the Division received certification from the Circuit Court verifying the Washington County local option election results. Therefore, the holder of a 1APS, 1COP. 2APS, or 2COP license is authorized to sell malt or vinous beverages containing more than 6.243 percent of alcohol by volume so long as the products are permitted to be sold in Florida within the restrictions of the license type currently held and the restrictions printed on these licenses presently issued are no longer valid.
Please note: Series 1 APS and 1 COP licenses authorize the sale of malt beverages only. Series 2APS and 2COP licenses authorize the sale of malt and vinous beverages only. Licensees holding 2APS and 2COP type licenses may now sell any malt or vinous beverages permitted to be sold in Florida without any additional licensure requirements.
Further, spirituous alcoholic beverages may only be sold by a licensee holding a license that allows for the sale of liquor. Specialty licenses such as those for restaurants, hotels, golf courses, etc., have specific qualifications which must be met prior to the issuance of these licenses.
Click here to view a list of the types of licenses available and the corresponding qualifications.
You may obtain the application and instructions to apply for a specialty liquor license at the following link: Beer, Wine and Liquor Consumption on Premises (8COP).
Once you have completed your application, it may be e-mailed, mailed, or hand delivered to any Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco district office. Click here to find the district office addresses and other pertinent information. You may also visit DBPR Online Services to submit your application electronically.
INITIAL QUOTA LICENSE ISSUANCE:
The Division projects that three new quota alcoholic beverage licenses will be available for issuance in Washington County in the 2022 Quota Beverage License Drawing, based on the county’s current population. Persons considered for issuance of these licenses are selected through a double random drawing held pursuant to section 561.19, F.S.
Details related to the quota drawing process can be found in rule 61A-5.0105, F.A.C. Instructions for filing an entry in the drawing, the counties eligible for the 2022 drawing, and additional details regarding the 45-day entry period, will be posted on the Division’s website prior to the entry period opening on Monday, August 15, 2022. Entry forms will be available when the drawing entry period opens.
The actual drawing to select the persons who are entitled to apply for these licenses will occur after all entry forms received have been reviewed and each person to be included in the drawing is determined to be eligible. The Division will announce the date of the 2022 Quota Beverage Drawing when the date is determined.
Please note that the upcoming drawing to be held over the coming months is the 2021 Quota Beverage License Drawing. The entry period for the 2021 Quota Beverage License drawing opened on August 16, 2021, prior to the authorization by Washington County voters. Therefore, Washington County will not be awarded any licenses in the upcoming drawing.
Original Article (1.21.22): The voters of Washington County have spoken, and liquor sales are in their future. Scroll down for the election results and a summary from WMBB TV.
