Alcohol

Licenses

LICENSE & PERMIT CLASSIFICATIONS

The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division issues licenses and permits as specified by Iowa law. License classifications fall into three main categories – retail, wholesale, and manufacture/import. Although seasonal licenses are available in certain classifications, most licenses expire one year from the date of issuance.

On Premises Licenses

Off Premises Licenses and Permits

Additional Privileges for Retail Licenses/Permits

 

Update Applications

Wholesale Permits

Import/Manufacture Permits

Shipping and Carrier Licenses

 

Retail Licenses and Permits

On Premises Licenses

Classification
License/Permit Privileges
Authority

 

Class A Liquor License (LA)		 For nonprofit clubs (members and guest only). Allows nonprofit clubs to sell liquor, wine, beer and wine coolers for on-premises consumption only; no carry-out sales. Sales are restricted to members and guests. IC § 123.30(3)(a)
Class B Liquor License (LB) For hotels and motels. Allows hotels and motels to sell liquor, wine, beer and wine coolers for on-premises consumption including room service. Also allows carry-out sales of beer and wine coolers in original unopened containers. IC §123.30(3)(b)

 

Class C Liquor License (LC)		 For taverns, bars, restaurants, etc. Allows commercial establishments to sell liquor, wine, beer and wine coolers for on-premises consumption. Also allows carry-out sales of beer and wine coolers in original unopened containers. IC §123.30(3)(c)
Special Class C Liquor License (BW) For taverns, bars, restaurants, etc. Allows commercial establishments to sell wine, beer and wine coolers for on premises consumption. Also allows carry-out sales of beer and wine coolers in original unopened containers. IC §123.30(3)(c)
Class C Native Wine (WCN)

Allows commercial establishments to sell Iowa Native Wine for on-premises consumption. Also allows carry-out sales of Iowa native wine in original unopened containers.

  
Class B Beer Permit (BB)

For taverns, bars, restaurants, etc. Allows commercial establishments to sell beer for on-premises consumption. Also allows carry-out sales of beer and wine coolers in original unopened containers.

 IC §123.124
Class D Liquor License (LD) For trains, airplanes, watercraft and boats. Allows railroads, air common carriers and passenger-carrying boats or ships operating in inland or boundary waters to sell liquor, wine, beer and wine coolers for on-premises consumption only; no carry-out sales. IC §123.30(3)(d)

Note: Five-day, 14-day, 6-month and 8-month licenses are available for all on premises license/permits.

 

Off Premises Licenses and Permits

 

Classification
License/Permit Privileges
Authority
Class B Wine Permit (WB)
 For grocery, liquor and convenience stores, etc. Allows commercial establishments to sell wine for off premises consumption in original unopened containers. No sales by the drink
IC §123.173
Class B Native Wine Permit (WBN)
 For grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, etc. Allows commercial establishments to sell Iowa made wine for off-premises consumption in original unopened containers. No sales by the drink. Samples are permitted of 1 ounce or less.
IC §123.32
Class C Beer Permit (BC)
 For grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, etc. Allows commercial establishments to sell beer and wine coolers for off-premises consumption in original unopened containers. No sales by the drink.
IC §123.124
Class E Liquor License (LE)
 For grocery stores, liquor stores, convenience stores, etc. Allows commercial establishments to sell liquor for off-premises consumption in original unopened containers. No sales by the drink. Also allows sales to on-premises class A, B, C & D liquor licensees but must have an ATF Federal Wholesale Permit to sell to other licensees. Sunday sales are included.
IC §123.30(3)(e)
Charity Beer and Wine Auction Permit (CP)
 For nonprofit entities. Allows an authorized nonprofit entity to auction beer and wine during an event which raises funds solely to be used for educational, religious, or charitable purposes. The permit is valid for a period of 36 consecutive hours, and the authorized nonprofit entity may receive up to two permits per calendar year.  Read more information on Charity Beer and Wine Auction Permits.
IC §123.173A
Note: Six-month and 8-month permits are available for class B wine permits. Only 12-month licenses/permits may be issued for class E liquor licenses and class C beer permits.

 

Additional Privileges for Retail Licenses/Permits

 

Privilege
Activity Allowed
May Add To
Authority
Brew Pub
 Allows brewing of beer on the premises for consumption on the premises. Class C liquor licenses; class B beer permits.
IC §123.130
Catering
 Allows catering of liquor, wine, beer and beer coolers as part of a food catering service. Read more information on catering licenses. Classes B, C liquor licenses. (only 12-month)
IC §123.95 & 185 IAC
Living Quarters
 Separates private living quarters from the licensed premises; protects licensee from warrantless searches in living quarters. Classes A, B, C, special C liquor licenses; classes B, C beer permits; class B wine permit.
IC §123.30(2) & 185 IAC
Outdoor Service
 Allows selling/serving alcoholic beverages permitted by the license/permit in a designated, adjacent outdoor area. Read more information on outdoor service areas.  Classes A, B, C, special C liquor licenses; classes B, C beer permits; class B wine permit.
IC §123.3(20) &185 IAC
Sunday Sales
 Allows selling/serving alcoholic beverages permitted by the license/permit. Classes A, B, C, special C, D liquor licenses & classes B, C beer permits.
IC §123.36

Note: When privileges are added after the license effective date, fees are prorated. 

 

Update Applications

 

Privilege
Activity Allowed
Applicable To
Authority
Ownership Update Application
 Allows licensee to update the ownership or interest in their business. Supporting documents shall accompany the application.  Class A, B, C, special C, E liquor licenses; classes B, C beer permits; class B wine permit.
185 IAC
Refund Application
 Allows a refund of any unused quarters of a 12-month license. Class A, B, C, special C, E liquor licenses; classes B, C beer permits; class B wine permit. No refunds on seasonal licenses.
IC §123.38 & 185 IAC
Transfer Application
 Allows license to be transferred from one location to another, only within the boundaries of the current approving local authority.   Class A, B, C, special C, E liquor licenses; classes B, C beer permits; class B wine permit.
IC §123.38 & 185 IAC
Additional Location
 Allows a licensed native winery to sell products for off-premises consumption only at a separate location. The additional location must be on an unlicensed premises and there is no on-premises drinking of the products allowed.  WAN license  IC §123.173

 

 

Wholesale Permits

 

Classification
Permit Privileges
Authority
Class A Beer Permit (BA)
 For wholesale beer distributors. Allows the manufacture and sale of beer at wholesale to licensed retailers.

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IC §123.124
Class AA High Alcohol Content Beer Permit (BAA)
 For wholesale beer distributors. Allows the manufacture and sale of high proof beer at wholesale to licensed retailers.

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IC §123.124
Class A Wine Permit (WA)

For wholesale wine distributors. Allows the manufacture and sale of wine at wholesale to licensed retailers.

For alternating proprietorships. Allows two or more persons or entities to use the same space and equipment to produce wine. Read more information about alternating proprietorships.

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IC §123.123

IC §123.56(6A)
Note: Under IC §123.22, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division is the sole wholesaler of liquor. The Division sells liquor to class E licensees only; class E liquor licensees sell liquor to the general public and to on premises licensees.

 

Import/Manufacture Permits

Classification
Permit Privileges
Authority
Brewer's Certificate of Compliance (CB)
 For brewers, manufacturers and importers of beer. Allows manufacturer, brewer, bottler, importer or vendor to ship beer into Iowa for resale by licensed beer wholesalers.

Sign onto eLicensing
IC §123.185
Broker's Permit (SP)
 Allows the presentation and promotion of liquor in Iowa.
IC §123.42
Class A Native Beer Permit (BAN)
 For wholesale native beer distributors. Allows the manufacture of beer to sell beer at retail at the brewery for off and on-premise consumption. Also allows sale to beer wholesalers and retail licensees.

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IC §123.30
Class A Native Wine Permit (WAN)
 For native wholesale wine distributors. Allows the manufacture of wine to sell wine at retail at the winery for off-premise consumption. Also allows sale to wine wholesalers and retail licensees.

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IC §123.56 & 185 IAC
Distiller's Certificate of Compliance (CD)
 For distillers, manufacturers and importers of distilled spirits. Allows manufacturer, distiller or importer to ship liquor into Iowa for resale by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.

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IC §123.19
Manufacturer's License (CM)
 For manufacturers of distilled spirits. Allows manufacture, storage and sale of liquor to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division and to customers outside Iowa.
IC §123.41
Vintner's Certificate of Compliance (CV)
 For vintners, manufacturers and importers of wine. Allows manufacturer, vintner, bottler, importer or vendor to ship wine into Iowa for resale by licensed wine wholesalers.

Sign onto eLicensing
IC §123.180

 

Shipping and Carrier Licenses

Classification
Permit Privileges
Authority
Wine Direct Shippers License (DS)
 For wine manufacturers. Allows wineries to ship bottles of wine directly to consumers at their personal residence.
  IC §123.187
Alcohol Carrier License (AC)
 For shipment carriers. Allows a designated carrier to transport wine shipped from a wine direct shipper to a personal residence.  IC §123.187

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