Arizona Liquor License Cost
Fees, license types, and requirements from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC)
How much does a liquor license cost in Arizona?
| Business Type | Scenario | Total Fee | Period | Permits Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | Restaurant with full liquor (non-quota) | $1,600 | first year ($100 application + $1,500 issuance) | SERIES_12 |
| Bar / Nightclub | Full bar (quota license) | $1,600 | first year ($100 application + $1,500 issuance) | SERIES_6 |
| Bar / Nightclub | Beer and wine bar | $1,600 | first year ($100 application + $1,500 issuance) | SERIES_7 |
| Convenience Store | Beer and wine store (off-premises) | $1,600 | first year ($100 application + $1,500 issuance) | SERIES_10 |
| Brewery / Brewpub | Microbrewery with taproom | $400 | first year ($100 application + $300 issuance) | SERIES_3 |
| Winery | Farm winery with tasting room | $200 | first year ($100 application + $100 issuance) | SERIES_13 |
| Hotel / Resort | Hotel with bar and restaurant | $1,600 | first year ($100 application + $1,500 issuance) | SERIES_11 |
Arizona's Quota-Limited Liquor Licenses and Competitive Lottery System
Arizona's alcohol regulation is managed by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC), headquartered in Phoenix. The DLLC oversees approximately 16,000 active liquor licenses across the state. Arizona operates a three-tier system (manufacturer-distributor-retailer) and uses a combination of quota and non-quota license types. The 7-member State Liquor Board hears contested applications and policy matters, while the DLLC Director handles routine licensing.
Regulatory environment
Arizona has a moderately restrictive licensing environment due to its quota system for the most desirable license types. Series 6 (bar) and Series 9 (liquor store) licenses are capped at one per 1,000 residents per county. Series 7 (beer and wine bar) and Series 10 (beer and wine store) are also quota-limited. The state uses a random selection process (lottery) to award new quota licenses when population growth creates availability. Non-quota licenses like Series 12 (restaurant) are easier to obtain but require 40%+ food revenue.
License availability
Non-quota restaurant licenses (Series 12) and microbrewery licenses (Series 3) are readily available through standard application. Quota licenses are highly competitive — the DLLC holds periodic lotteries when population thresholds create new license availability. In Maricopa County (Phoenix metro, population 4.5 million), competition for bar and liquor store licenses is intense. The secondary market for Series 6 licenses in metro Phoenix ranges from $75,000 to $200,000+. Rural counties with smaller populations may have more immediate quota availability.
What drives costs
Arizona's state license fees are relatively affordable: $2,600 for a new Series 6 (bar) or Series 9 (liquor store) application, and $1,300 for renewal. Series 12 (restaurant) licenses cost $1,000 to apply and $500 to renew. These fees are lower than California's $19,840 application fee for general licenses but higher than many Midwest and Southern states. The quota premium on the secondary market is the real cost driver for bar and liquor store operators, potentially adding six figures to the total investment.
Application process
Applications are submitted to the DLLC with a $100 application fee plus a $1,500 issuance fee for quota licenses. Fingerprinting ($22 per card) and a background check covering the past five years are required for all applicants, who must be U.S. citizens or legal residents. Local jurisdiction approval is mandatory, and premises must clear fire and health code inspections. For quota licenses, applicants enter the DLLC lottery and, if selected, have a limited window to complete the activation process. Non-quota Series 12 applications follow a standard 90-to-120-day timeline, with interim permits sometimes available while the application is pending.
Common pitfalls and denial reasons
Series 12 applicants are frequently tripped up by the 40% food revenue requirement — the DLLC audits compliance, and establishments that drift below the threshold risk license revocation rather than just a warning. Quota lottery entrants who win but fail to secure premises or local approval within the activation window lose their slot entirely. Late renewal penalties of $150 apply across all license types, and transfer requests ($100-$300 depending on whether it involves a person, location, or both) that omit documentation of the new owner's background check are routinely rejected.
Local quirks worth knowing
Arizona's lottery for quota licenses is one of only a handful of true randomized alcohol license lotteries in the country — the DLLC sets fair market values for each quota type, creating a transparent but intensely competitive process. Maricopa County alone accounts for over 60% of the state's 16,000 active licenses, making it a microcosm of Arizona's licensing economy. The state allows off-premise sales from bar licenses at up to 30% of on-premise spirituous liquor sales, an unusual hybrid provision that lets Series 6 holders operate a limited retail side business from their bar.
Need help getting started? Read our step-by-step licensing guide, or compare Arizona fees with other states using our comparison tool.
Arizona License Types
SERIES_6 Series 6 — Bar $150
Sale of all spirituous liquors for on-premises consumption with limited off-premises sales (up to 30% of on-sale price).
QUOTA LICENSE — limited supply, must buy on secondary market or win lottery. Off-premises sales limited to 30% of on-premises spirituous liquor sales.
SERIES_7 Series 7 — Beer and Wine Bar $75
Sale of beer and wine for on-premises consumption with limited off-premises sales (up to 30% of on-sale price).
Beer and wine only. Off-premises sales limited to 30% of on-premises beer and wine sales.
SERIES_9 Series 9 — Liquor Store $50
Sale of all spirituous liquors in original, unbroken packages for off-premises consumption only.
QUOTA LICENSE — limited supply. Off-premises only, sealed containers.
SERIES_10 Series 10 — Beer and Wine Store $50
Sale of beer and wine in original containers for off-premises consumption only.
Non-transferable. Beer and wine only, off-premises.
SERIES_12 Series 12 — Restaurant $500
Sale of all spirituous liquors for on-premises consumption at a restaurant deriving at least 40% of gross revenue from food.
Non-transferable. Must derive at least 40% of gross revenue from food sales. No off-premises sales.
SERIES_11 Series 11 — Hotel-Motel $500
Sale of all spirituous liquors for on-premises consumption at a hotel or motel with guest rooms.
For establishments with guest rooms. Covers bar and restaurant service within the hotel.
SERIES_14 Series 14 — Club $150
Sale of all spirituous liquors for on-premises consumption at a bona fide club or lodge.
Members only. Must be a bona fide club.
SERIES_3 Series 3 — Microbrewery $300
Production and sale of beer at a microbrewery. Includes taproom sales and limited off-premises sales.
Production limits apply. Federal TTB permit required. May sell directly to consumers.
SERIES_13 Series 13 — Farm Winery $100
Production and sale of wine at a farm winery. Includes tasting room, on-premises sales, and limited off-premises sales.
Must use a percentage of Arizona-grown agricultural products. Federal TTB permit required.
SERIES_4 Series 4 — Craft Distiller $300
Production of distilled spirits at a craft distillery. Includes tastings and limited direct sales.
Production limits set by DLLC director. Federal TTB permit required.
Requirements
General Requirements
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Background check and fingerprinting required ($22 per card)
- No felony convictions within the past 5 years
- Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Local jurisdiction approval required
- Premises must comply with fire and health codes
- Must complete responsible alcohol service training
Notable Restrictions
- Series 6 (Bar) and Series 9 (Liquor Store) are QUOTA licenses — limited by population, must be purchased on secondary market or won via state lottery
- Quota license lottery held periodically by DLLC; fair market values set by the department
- Series 12 (Restaurant) requires at least 40% of gross revenue from food sales
- Late renewal penalty: $150
- Transfer fees: $100-$300 depending on type (person, location, or combined)
- Some municipalities have additional local licensing requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a liquor license in Arizona?
It depends on the license type. Series 6 (Bar) and Series 9 (Liquor Store) are quota licenses and are fully transferable — person-to-person, location-to-location, or both. Transfer fees are $100–$300. However, Series 12 (Restaurant) and Series 10 (Beer and Wine Store) are non-transferable — they cannot be sold or transferred to a new owner. If you buy a restaurant and it had a Series 12, you'll need to apply for a new one.
Are there dry areas in Arizona?
Yes. Several Native American reservations in Arizona are dry by tribal law, including parts of the Navajo Nation, which is the largest reservation in the US. Outside tribal lands, Arizona has no dry counties — cities and unincorporated areas all permit alcohol sales, though municipalities may impose local restrictions on hours or specific business types.
Can I sell alcohol on Sundays in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona has no Sunday sales restrictions. Licensed establishments can sell alcohol seven days a week. On-premise consumption hours run from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM; off-premise sales follow the same hours. There are no special Sunday restrictions at the state level.
What's the cheapest type of liquor license in Arizona?
The Series 13 Farm Winery is the cheapest at $200 for the first year ($100 application + $100 issuance, $100/year renewal). For a standard bar or restaurant, the Series 12 Restaurant license costs $1,600 first year ($100 application + $1,500 issuance) with $500/year renewal — and it's non-quota, meaning you can get it directly from the state without competing in a lottery or paying secondary market prices.
How does the Arizona quota lottery work for bar licenses?
When Arizona makes new Series 6 (Bar) or Series 9 (Liquor Store) quota licenses available — typically due to population growth — the DLLC holds a lottery. Applicants submit applications during an open filing period, pay the $100 application fee, and winners are randomly selected. Winners still pay the $1,500 issuance fee. Lottery opportunities are rare; most operators buy existing licenses on the secondary market, where Series 6 bar licenses in metro Phoenix and Tucson typically sell for $10,000–$50,000+.
Sources
Data sourced from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC). Last verified 2026-03-26.