Alcohol Beverage License

Please bring the following information to the Recorder’s Office:

• Completed Alcohol Beverage Application
  • This must be signed in front of the County Recorder Deputy or notarized
• Copy of your Idaho State Alcohol Beverage License
• Consent from landlord/property owner to sell and/or serve alcohol on the premise (may be included in the lease agreement)
• Copy of premise lease or deed if the business owns the property
• If the premise is located within unincorporated Ada County (outside of city limits), you must obtain consensual signatures of 75% of homeowners within a 1,000-foot radius of the premise. Please review the Alcohol Beverage License Ordinance if you have any questions.
• A licensee must be signed by the Ada County Sheriff; Ada County Recorder’s office will obtain his signature
  • Do not take the application to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office
  • Alcohol Beverage Licenses can take up to 3 weeks to process.

Please bring the following information to the Recorder’s Office:

• Completed Alcohol Beverage Application
  • This must be signed in front of the County Recorder Deputy or notarized
• Copy of your Idaho State Alcohol Beverage License
• Consent from landlord/property owner to sell and/or serve alcohol on the premise (may be included in the lease agreement)
• Copy of premise lease or deed if the business owns the property
• Original Ada County License from establishment or owner (old license)
• $5 transfer fee per license
•  The license must be signed by the Ada County Sheriff; Ada County Recorder’s office will obtain his signature
  • Do not take the application to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office
  • Alcohol Beverage Licenses can take up to 3 weeks to process. 

Ada County Renewal Process:

Alcohol Beverage License Renewal 

Renewals for Ada County Alcohol Licenses will be available from February 20, 2024, through June 30, 2024. To renew your alcohol license, please have a pdf copy of your 2025 State of Idaho Alcohol Beverage available to be uploaded. If you have any questions, please contact our staff at [email protected] or (208) 287-6840.

 

Licenses are valid from June 1, or the date of issue, through May 31.

Beer:

• $25.00     Retail only, off-premise consumption
• $75.00     Bottles and cans on-premise consumption
• $100.00   Draft, bottles, and cans for on and off-premise consumption

Wine:

• $100.00   Retail only, off-premise consumption
• $100.00   Retail and by the drink, on and off premise consumption

Liquor:

• $187.50   By the drink on-premise consumption only
• $100.00   By the drink for on-premise consumption only at racing facilities and eligible golf courses

Please note: you must have a beer license to be eligible for a wine or liquor license. Wine is included in the liquor license price.

License transfer fee: $5.00 per transfer

Alcohol Beverage License Ordinance

Ada County Alcohol License Procedures – Winery

An alcohol license is required for wineries that host any events where wine is sold.  Wineries with satellite locations need an additional license for each satellite location.

Wineries that only manufacture wine and/or offer tastings do not require a county license.

Please allow up to 3 weeks to process the application.

Required Documentation:

• Completed Alcohol Beverage Application
  • The application must be signed in front of the County Recorder Deputy or notarized
  • A copy of the manager’s Idaho Driver’s License or, if identification is not from Idaho, valid state ID and proof of Idaho residency for at least 30 days
• Copy of Idaho State Alcohol Beverage or Winery License
• Consent from landlord/property owner to sell and/or serve alcohol on the property (may be included in the lease agreement) -or- copy of property lease or deed if the business owns the property
• If the property is located within unincorporated Ada County (outside of city limits), consenting signatures of 75% of homeowners within a 1,000-foot radius of the premise must be obtained. See the Alcohol Beverage License Ordinance for details.
• A license must be signed by the Ada County Sheriff (the Recorder’s Office will obtain this signature). Do not take the application to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.

 Liquor/Beer/Wine Alcohol License Process:

1. Apply and obtain license from the State of Idaho
2. Apply and obtain license from Ada County
3. Apply and obtain license from respective city (if applicable)

A business may only serve/sell alcohol once all applicable licenses have been acquired.

Additional Information

1. A Winery Catering Permit is available from the Ada County Recorder’s Office for both retail and wholesale license holders (licenses beginning with 1A or Z). Please visit adacounty.id.gov/clerk/license-permits for information and application.  Permits can be used for up to 5 consecutive days.

** A catering permit cannot be issued for an establishment that already holds an alcohol license. **

2. A Conditional Use Permit allows temporary use of a location that has not previously been approved to hold large scale events. Conditional Use Permits can be obtained from Ada County Development Services. This permit is only valid for use on the dates issued and generally cannot be extended or changed. Contact Development Services for more information (208) 287-7900.

Catering Permits Process

1. Obtain a Conditional Use Permit (if applicable) from Development Services
2. Submit application for an Ada County Winery Catering Permit a minimum of two weeks prior to the scheduled event.
3. Application is reviewed and confirmed by the Sheriff’s Office and Development Services prior to being submitted to the Board of Ada County Commissioners (BOCC) for approval/denial.
4. Catering permits are reviewed and approved/denied during the Open Business Meeting by the BOCC.
5. Once approved, the applicant is sent a digital copy of the Catering Permit. A physical copy can be obtained upon request.

Contact Information

Ada County Recorder’s Office
Oversees processing of applications; acts as liaison between applicant and various departments
(208) 287-6840
[email protected]

Ada County Development Services
Issues Conditional Use Permits; determines which facilities can be issued a license
(208) 287-7900

Ada County Sheriff’s Office
Handles enforcement; reviews background of applicant and recommends approval/denial of alcohol license
(208) 577-3000