Hospitality Licensing Resources

The following general information is reproduced from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Click here to view the firm’s updates on the regulatory response affecting hotels, restaurants, bars, resorts, and the alcoholic beverage industry during the coronavirus pandemic. The Department’s frequently-updated coronavirus resource page is available here.


Alcoholic Beverages + Tobacco

Types of Licenses and Permits: A full list describing the licenses and permits for alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and other tobacco products, and the additional terms that may apply.

License Fee Chart: License fees associated with different license types and the county it is issued in.

Temporary License Fee Chart: A comprehensive list of the fees associated with obtaining an Alcoholic Beverage Temporary License/Permit.

Local ABT Licensing Offices: The Division has numerous Bureau of Licensing offices.

Local Zoning Departments: A comprehensive list of the addresses and other contact information of area zoning offices.

Temporary Permit (ODP) Special Acts: Beginning July 1, 2016, bona-fide non-profit civic organizations, charitable organizations, municipalities, and counties are limited to 12 permits per calendar year with the exception of small areas within specific counties.

General Laws and Special Acts for Special Licenses: A reference regarding special acts and requirements relating to Motels, Hotels, Restaurants, and Condominiums pertaining to specific counties.

Alcoholic Beverage Sales at Special Events: A special temporary permit to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises and to be used for extension of existing licensed premises.

Florida Farm Winery Information: The requirements needed to qualify as a Florida Farm Winery as provided by sections 599.004 and 561.221(b) of the Florida Statutes.

Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco - Statutes + Rules

For more detailed information, refer to the applicable laws and rules and the Division’s licensing webpage.

Hotels + Restaurants

Permanent Food Service (Seating): A restaurant with seats for dining in. Permanent Food Service licenses are sometimes referred to as ‘fixed food service’ licenses as they generally are a structure with walls, floors, and ceiling that are permanently fixed to the ground.

Permanent Food Service (Non-Seating): This is a restaurant that offers take out or delivery but doesn’t have seats for customers to dine in.

Catering: A food service that only provides catering services and nothing else. Note – Any public food service establishment licensed by the division may also provide catering services without holding a separate catering license.

Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle or Hot Dog Cart: A food truck or hot dog cart where food is prepared or served.

Culinary Educational Program: This is a specialty food service license intended for educational institutions meeting the criteria defined in 381.0072, F.S.

Temporary Food Service Events: A temporary license for preparing food at fairs, carnivals, festivals, or other temporary community events.

Bed and Breakfast Inn: No more than 15 sleeping rooms (bedrooms). The sleeping rooms are attached to a family home structure (e.g., home, house, or dwelling occupied by a family) that is recognized by the community as a bed and breakfast. You provide meal services along with the lodging accommodations.

Hotel: Rents transiently (temporary – not the sole residence). Has sleeping room accommodations for 25 or more guests.

Motel: Rents at least six units transiently (daily and weekly – not the sole residence). Has exits from each unit that exit outside the building.

For more detailed information, refer to the applicable laws and rules and the Division’s licensing webpage.