Required Forms, Fees, and Documents
Applicants requesting a new on-premises DDA license must submit the following:
Application Form
Inspection Fee
A $70.00 nonrefundable inspection fee is required for each license requested in an application.
License & Permit Fees
The annual renewal fees vary by the type of on-premises license. Additional fees will vary based upon whether additional licenses and permits are requested in conjunction with the on-premises license. An initial enhancement fee of $20,000.00 will be required prior to issuance of the license if the development district license is approved.
Livescan Fingerprints
Applicants that are not currently licensed through the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and will hold 10% or more interest in a liquor license must be fingerprinted. After reviewing your application, the MLCC will provide you with a copy of the Livescan Fingerprint Background Request (LCC-105) form that you will need when you are fingerprinted by a Livescan Agency.
Purchase Agreement
Applicants requesting to transfer a license from another licensee must submit an executed purchase agreement or other documentation signed by both the applicant and the current licensee, which details the sale of the liquor license(s) and other business assets.
- Purchase agreements must specifically indicate that the liquor license is being sold and provide the purchase price and terms of the sale.
- Purchasers of on-premises licenses must have at least 10% of the purchase price of the business, excluding real estate.
- Purchase agreements that are not for cash only sales and include real estate must list the personal property, including the licenses, and real estate with the terms and price for each.
- If the personal property and real estate are being purchased by separate people or entities, the purchase agreement must indicate those names and who is purchasing which items.
- If the applicant will not pay the full purchase price at closing, the balance due may be covered by a security agreement or promissory note. Alcoholic beverage inventory cannot be included on a security agreement or promissory note.
Property Document
- Applicants must provide documentation that demonstrates they will have control over the property that comprises the proposed licensed premises. Property documents include deeds, land contracts, and lease agreements.
- A provision to reassign the license in the event of a default on a land contract or termination of a lease agreement may be included, but may only provide for the reassignment subject to Commission approval.
- If the applicant is a company and its members or stockholders own the real estate as individuals or under another company, a lease agreement is needed.
- If the applicant is an individual and he or she owns the real estate with a spouse or someone else who will not be named on the license, a lease between the applicant and the owners of the real estate is needed.
Local Governmental Unit Approval
Local Governmental Approval Form (LCC-106). The city, village, or township must approve the new redevelopment license with a recommendation for the issuance of a “new Class C* license issued under the provisions of MCL 436.1521a(1)(b)”. The resolution must specifically state the applicant’s name and the proposed licensed address. *You may substitute other license types, such as Tavern, B-Hotel, or A-Hotel licenses, as applicable.
Resolution from local governmental unit establishing the development district or area which specifically references the statute under which the area was established:
- Part 3 of Public Act 57 of 2018 (formerly Public Act 450 of 1980) for Tax Increment Finance Authorities
- Part 6 of Public Act 57 of 2018 (formerly Public Act 280 of 2005) for Corridor Improvement Authorities
- Part 2 of Public Act 57 of 2018 (Formerly Public Act 197 of 1975) for Downtown Development Authorities
- Public Act 120 of 1961 for Principal Shopping Districts
Affidavit from the Assessor
The affidavit from the assessor must be certified by the city, township, or village clerk and must state the total amount of public and private investment in real and personal property within the development district or area over a period of the preceding five (5) years (must specifically state start and end dates for the investment, e.g. January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015).
Legible map of the development district or area which clearly labels all street names.
Proof of Attempt to Secure Escrowed License
Applicants requesting new license under MCL 436.1521(a)(1)(b) must submit documentation that demonstrated they have contacted all holders of escrowed licenses within the same county and have been unable to secure a readily available escrowed license for use at their proposed location. Escrow responses must follow these guidelines:
- MCL 436.1521a(9) requires that the individual signing the application for a license issued under MCL 436.1521a shall state and demonstrate that the applicant attempted to secure a readily available on-premises escrowed license or unissued quota license issued under Section 531 and that, to the best of his or her knowledge, an on-premises escrowed license or quota license is not readily available within the county in which the applicant proposes to operate.
- Applicant will be provided a Licensee Listing Report from the MLCC which lists all on-premises escrowed licensee for the county. Applicant is required to contact all licensees on the report effective as of the date the application is filed with the MLCC.
- Applicant should send certified letters of inquiry as to the availability of the license to each licensee either at the business address or escrow contact address listed on the report.
- Applicant should submit copies of the letters sent, certified tags, signed certified return receipts, copies of any envelopes returned by the USPS, and copies of any correspondence received from the licensees.
- Applicant should provide dates, the name of the person contacted, and a synopsis of the conversation, if escrowed licensees are contacted by telephone.
- Applicant should provide documentation regarding the fair-market value of the license based on where the applicant will be located, if determinable, the size and scope of the proposed operation, and/or the existence of mandatory contractual restrictions or inclusion attached to the sale of the license when indicating to the MLCC that purchase of a license is not economically feasible or the license is not readily available. Applicant should provide a notarized affidavit outlining all attempts and responses (or lack thereof) to secure a readily available license.
In addition to the documents required by all applicants:
Corporations must submit the following information per Administrative Rule R 436.1109:
- Report of Stockholders/Members/Partners (LCC-301)
- Copy of current, filed Articles of Incorporation.
- Current Certificate of Good Standing from the state where incorporated and Certificate of Authority to Do Business in Michigan, if incorporated outside of this state.
- Certified copy of the minutes of a meeting of its board of directors or a statement signed by an officer of the corporation naming the persons authorized by corporate resolution to sign the application and other documents required by the Commission (or Part 3 of Form LCC-301).
Limited Liability Companies (LLC) must submit the following information pursuant to Administrative Rule R 436.1110:
- Report of Stockholders/Members/Partners (LCC-301)
- Copy of Articles of Organization and copies of any amendments to the Articles of Organization.
- Current Certificate of Authority to Do Business in Michigan, if the LLC is a non-Michigan LLC.
- Copy of Operating Agreement entered into by members.
- Copy of most recent annual statement filed with the Corporations Division, if an existing LLC.
- Statement signed by a manager of the limited liability company or by at least 1 member if management is reserved to the members naming the person authorized to sign the application and other documents required by the Commission (or Part 3 of Form LCC-301).
Partnerships must submit the following information per Administrative Rule R 436.1111:
