The process for obtaining a California liquor license can be complicated. Licenses to sell beer and wine are available year-round from the State of California if the applicant and the premises qualify. However, general licenses, which authorize the retail sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits, are restricted in number and are authorized to be issued originally and via inter-county transfer only once per year, based on population versus existing license ratios within each county.
The Lottery
Where there are more applicants than licenses available, public drawings are held and “priority” rankings are assigned. Licenses applied for and issued via the priority system are subject to unique requirements and restrictions. The only other way to obtain a general license is to purchase an existing license from someone who has one already within the same county.