What License Do You Need to Open a Liquor Store in FL?

Posted on April 28, 2021June 23, 2025 by admin

Opening a liquor store in Florida involves more than a business plan and a storefront. It also requires the right license, and the process of obtaining it can be more complex than it appears. 

Florida’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) regulates liquor licensing, and the type of license you need depends on several factors, including the county’s population and what you’re selling.

Navigating Florida’s Liquor Licensing for Retail

In Florida, liquor licenses fall into a few general categories: consumption on premises, package sales (off-premises), and special use. If you aim to open a traditional liquor store that sells sealed containers for off-premises consumption, you’ll need a quota license, specifically a 3PS, 3APS, 3BPS, 3CPS, or 3DPS license. These license types are designated for package stores and the A,B, C, and D designations are assigned  based on the population of each particular county.

Full liquor licenses for package sales are limited in number. They are often bought from current license holders or acquired through the state’s annual license quota lottery. The exact dates for the lottery vary, but there is typically an enrollment period from the 3rd week ofAugust until the end of September. After the enrollment period, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco holds a lottery drawing for each available county to determine a “selected winner” of a quota liquor license. This is competitive; in 2022, just 35 new quota beverage licenses were awarded across Florida’s 67 counties.

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Understanding the Key Retail Liquor Licenses for Florida Liquor Stores

Florida’s 3PS-class licenses differ based on the county’s population. Despite the name differences, these licenses all allow the same activity: the retail sale of all alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for off-site consumption. The difference lies primarily in the population in each county.

• 3PS (Quota License): This standard retail package store license allows you to sell beer, wine, and spirits in sealed containers for consumption off the premises. The number of 3PS licenses issued in a county is presently limited by population, one license per 7,500 residents. Because of this limitation, 3PS licenses are often bought and sold on the open market. If you win one in the lottery, there will be activation and renewal fees. The annual license fee  is $1,365. Buying it on the open market could cost significantly more but obtaining it could be easier (and faster).
  
• 3APS, 3BPS, 3CPS, 3DPS Licenses: These variations are essentially the same as the 3PS license but represent quota licenses issued in less populous counties. For example:
  • 3APS licenses are issued  in a smaller populous county than that of a 3PS. The annual license fee is $1,170.
  • 3BPS, 3CPS, and 3DPS licenses follow similarly based on the population in the county They do have varying prices. 3BPS annual license fees are $975, while 3CPS annual license fees  are $643.50, and 3DPS license fees are $468.

County-Specific Licensing and Regulations

Florida’s licensing rules are not one-size-fits-all. It is one of 17 states with quota laws, which means the county population directly affects the availability of quota licenses. High-growth counties may see an increase in available licenses, while rural areas may have very few, if any, available on the market. In some cases, counties also impose additional zoning or distance restrictions, such as proximity to churches or schools or other establishments, that can impact your ability to open a liquor store.

Securing the Right Retail License with Expert Guidance

Navigating the liquor license process in Florida requires careful attention to state and local laws, population-based quotas, and the competitive secondary market. Whether you want to try and win  a license via the lottery or from the open market, working with a licensing specialist can save you time, money, and getting it done right.

Opening a liquor store in Florida starts with the right license. With our team on your side, you’ll gain the expertise needed to navigate state requirements, secure your license, and get your store up and running with confidence.