Special License Information

Special License Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need to fill out the Special License form (LCC-110) or the Beer Festival Form (LCC-111)?

• The Beer Festival Form (LCC-111) is only for nonprofit organizations comprised of Brewers, Micro Brewers, or Brewpubs.
• If your organization is not comprised of Brewers, Micro Brewers, or Brewpubs you must complete the Special License Form (LCC-110) even if you call your event a "beer festival".

Where can our organization buy alcohol for our event?

• Your organization may purchase alcohol from the following:
  • Spirits from a Specially Designated Distributor (SDD) licensee, such as a grocery store, liquor store, or convenience store, at uniform retail prices.
  • Beer, wine, and mixed spirit drink products from a Specially Designated Merchant (SDM) licensee, such as a grocery store, liquor store, or convenience store.
  • Beer, wine, and mixed spirit drink from a Wholesaler licensee.
  • Spirits self-distributed from a qualified Small Distiller licensee in compliance with MCL 436.1203.
  • Beer self-distributed from a qualified Micro Brewer licensee in compliance with MCL 436.1203a.
  • Wine from a Wine Maker or Small Wine Maker licensee.
  • Mixed spirit drink self-distributed from a qualified Mixed Spirit Drink Manufacturer licensee in compliance with MCL 436.1203b.
• Your organization cannot accept any donated alcohol for consumption on the premises.

Checking the status of your application

• When submitting a new application, the form must be faxed to Revenue Services at 517-284-8557 in order for the payment to be processed. The payment processing period usually takes 2-3 business days before the Commission will receive the application.
• If your application does not appear on the MLCC Application Status Check webpage, it is recommended that you check with your bank to see if your payment has been processed. If payment has been processed, then we may require more time for processing.
• If payment has not been processed and the allotted 2-3 business days has passed, please call the Special License Unit to verify if the application has been received as you may need refax your application to Revenue Services.

If my organization is obtaining a Wine Auction Special License, can we receive donated wine from a retailer, manufacturer, or wholesaler licensee?

• No, an organization cannot accept any donated alcohol or wine from any other licensee.
• All wine for a wine auction must be donated to the organization from someone's personal inventory and recorded on the wine auction list.
• The wine may also be purchased by the organization, in which case you must notify the Commission of this in lieu of a wine auction list being submitted.

Events at different locations

• MLCC can only license one location with each application. If multiple dates are requested and the event areas differ, please submit a new completed application for each event with the specific event and location information.

Irregular shaped event location dimensions

• If the event location proposed is of an irregular shape, please include the longest width and the longest length on question 5 located on page 1 of the application form. Please also include a detailed diagram of the event with all dimensions listed.

What type of barriers are needed for the event?

• There are no specific requirements for barriers. The purpose is to contain the event and to prevent alcohol from leaving the licensed premises and to prevent minors from entering the service area.

Can minors be in the licensed area?

• Yes, minors may be allowed in the licensed area. We recommend using wristbands or some other identifying tool to differentiate between minors and those of legal drinking age. All IDs should be checked to prevent serving to underage persons.

Do our bartenders need to have server training certification?

• No, you do not need to have certified bartenders. Anyone serving alcohol must be from your organization and follow all necessary MLCC rules and regulations to ensure alcoholic liquor is not sold or served to minors or intoxicated persons.

Our event is taking place in an establishment that currently has a liquor license to serve alcohol. Is there something we need to do in order to hold our event?

• If the establishment has a license to serve alcohol for consumption on the premises (Club license, Class C license, Micro Brewer or Small Wine Maker license with On-Premises Tasting Room Permit, Off-Premises Tasting Room license, etc.), you must submit part 7 of the application form completed by the other licensee indicating it will put its license in escrow, which will suspend its license in order for your Special License to become effective.

I need to cancel my license, what should I do?

• The Commission must receive written communication from either president of the organization, the contact, or alternate contact listed on the application form requesting to cancel the specific license(s). The cancellation depends on the status of the license:
  • If your license is still pending and has not been voted on by the Commission, the license can be cancelled, and a refund may be issued.
  • If your license has been approved by the Commission, issued to you, and the event date of the license has not passed, the license can be cancelled if a signed letter from the police department with jurisdiction is included stating the event will not take place, but no refund will be issued.
  • If your license has been approved by the Commission, issued to you, and the event date of the license has passed, the Commission can only cancel the license if a signed letter from the police department with jurisdiction is included stating that the event did not take place, but no refund will be issued.

What can our organization do with leftover alcohol from our event?

• If the Wholesaler licensee agree to do so, you may return any unused beer or wine products to the Wholesaler licensee from which you purchased it.  The nonprofit organization may retain the alcohol for personal consumption.

Special License Application Checklist

Special License Application Instructions

Compliance with Liquor Control Code and Administrative Rules

Organizations receiving a Special License must comply with the laws of the State of Michigan and the rules of the MLCC regarding the sale, furnishing, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Organizations receiving a Special License are responsible for ensuring that all those who will be selling and serving alcoholic beverages are familiar with and will follow the state's liquor laws and rules of the Commission. Organizations receiving a Special License shall comply with all state and local building, plumbing, zoning, sanitation, and health laws, rules, and ordinances as determined by the state and local law enforcement officials who have jurisdiction over the license, pursuant to administrative rule R 436.1003.

The Licensing Process

To ensure timely processing, your complete application must be received at least ten (10) business days before the date for which the license is requested. Failure to submit all of the necessary information and fees will delay the processing of your application.

License Period

A Special License is good for one (1) day and contains the time period for which it is granted. One (1) application may be completed for multiple dates as long as the event location is the same for all listed dates.

Qualifying Organizations

A Special License is issued only to nonprofit organizations. Pursuant to MCL 436.1535 and R 436.1109, your organization must be authorized to do business in Michigan. For a Michigan nonprofit organization, you must submit a copy of your current articles of incorporation filed with the Michigan Corporations Division. For an out-of-state nonprofit organization, you must submit your: (a) current articles of incorporation filed in the state of incorporation; (b) current certificate of good standing from the state of incorporation; and (c) current Certificate of Authority to Transact Business in Michigan issued by the Michigan Corporations Division. No organization, including its auxiliaries, may receive more than 12 Special Licenses during a calendar year. Applicants for a Special License must be at least 21 years of age. All profits derived from the sale of alcoholic beverages must go to the organization itself and not to any individual, pursuant to administrative rule R 436.574.

Resolution from Applicant Organization

A certified copy of the resolution of the membership or board of directors authorizing the application must accompany the application, pursuant to administrative rule R 436.576. A certified copy of your organization's minutes may also be submitted. A resolution is not required for applications by a candidate committee. See Page 6 of the LCC-110 form for a resolution template that you may use.

Detailed Diagram

The applicant organization must provide a detailed diagram of the event location to be licensed to both the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and to the local law enforcement agency. The diagram must show a clearly marked area for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, must distinguish between indoor and outdoor service areas, must contain the dimensions of the areas to be licensed, and must clearly mark and describe the type and height of the containment barrier to be used for any outdoor service area. The diagram must also demonstrate how the applicant organization plans to control the event location in order to prevent sales to minors and sales to visibly intoxicated persons.

Local Law Enforcement Approval

The applicant organization must provide a copy of its event location diagram to the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the event location to be reviewed by the law enforcement agency. The local law enforcement agency must certify that it has reviewed the application and has approved the issuance of the Special License(s) by completing and signing Part 5 on Page 5 of the LCC-110 form.

Churches and Schools

If the event location is located within 500 feet of a church or school, the applicant organization must obtain the consent of the church or school. The church or school may consent to a Special License being issued at an event location by completing and signing Part 6 on Page 5 of the LCC-110 form. A church or school within 500 feet of the event location may object based on such the sale of alcohol at the location adversely affecting the church or school's operations. If a proper objection is filed, the Commission shall hold a hearing to determine whether the granting of the application will adversely affect the operation of the church or school.

Existing Licensee Escrow / Drop Space Request

Two licenses held by different entities cannot be issued for the same location at the same time. If an applicant for a Special License would like to have an event at a location with an existing liquor license, such as a Class C or Club license, the existing license must be placed into escrow or the space to be used by the Special License applicant temporarily dropped from the licensed premises of the existing licensee. If the event location where you are requesting a Special License is currently licensed by the Commission, the existing licensee must place its license into escrow during the date(s) and time(s) for which the Special License(s) will be issued at the location or temporarily drop space from its licensed premises. The existing licensee may request to escrow its license by completing and signing Part 7 on Page 5 of the LCC-110 form or by submitting a letter requesting the license to be placed in to escrow during the event date(s) and time(s). Alternatively, if the existing licensee would like to drop space temporarily from its licensed premises during the event date(s) and time(s), it must submit a letter to the Commission requesting the temporary dropping of space, accompanied by a diagram showing the area where the license will temporarily drop space from its licensed premises to accommodate the applicant organization. If the event location will be in the unlicensed hall of a licensee that holds a Club license, please indicate this on the diagram.

State Land Approval

If the event location is situated in or on state owned land, you must obtain and submit documentary proof of approval to use the state-owned land. If the state-owned land is a military installation, approval of and operation under a Special License on military property is subject to all the regulations of the Department of Military Affairs and the provisions of the Liquor Control Code and administrative rules.

Special License and Permit Fees

Organizations Established Less Than One (1) Year or Which Are Municipalities

A $50.00 Special License base fee for each separate, consecutive day of the event is required. If the event is held on a Sunday and spirits will be served after 12:00 Noon, an additional $7.50 Sunday Sales Permit (P.M.) fee is required. In addition, if any alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits, will be served between 7:00AM and 12:00 Noon, an additional $160.00 Sunday Sales Permit (A.M.) fee is required. Sunday Sales Permit (A.M.) and/or Sunday Sales Permit (P.M.) fees will be required for each date that is a Sunday. If you request a Special License for on-premises consumption AND for a Wine Auction both on the same date at the same location, you are requesting two (2) separate licenses and you must pay a license fee for both licenses.

Special License and Permit Fees - Organizations Established One (1) Year or More

A $25.00 Special License base fee for each separate, consecutive day of the event is required. If the event is held on a Sunday and spirits will be served after 12:00 Noon, an additional $3.75 Sunday Sales Permit (P.M.) fee is required. In addition, if any alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits, will be served between 7:00AM and 12:00 Noon, an additional $160.00 Sunday Sales Permit (A.M.) fee is required. Sunday Sales Permit (A.M.) and/or Sunday Sales Permit (P.M.) fees will be required for each date that is a Sunday. If you request a Special License for on-premises consumption AND for a Wine Auction both on the same date at the same location, you are requesting two (2) separate licenses and you must pay a license fee for both licenses.

The fees must be paid by check, bank, or postal money order, or by credit card, using the attached Credit Card Authorization Form (LCC-300). Checks and money orders should be made payable to State of Michigan.

If you plan to use the Credit Card Authorization Form, fax the completed Credit Card Authorization form with your completed Special License Application form to the secure fax line at 517-284-8557. DO NOT EMAIL OR MAIL THE CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION FORM. Requests with credit card payments that are not faxed to the secure fax line will be destroyed along with the credit card authorization in order to ensure the security of applicants’ personal credit card numbers.

Mail/Fax Information

• You may mail your application with payment to: Michigan Liquor Control Commission, P.O. Box 30005, Lansing, MI 48909

• You may send your application with payment via overnight service to: Michigan Liquor Control Commission, 2407 N. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906

• You may fax your application with the Credit Card Authorization Form to the secured fax line: 517-284-8557

DO NOT EMAIL OR MAIL THE CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION FORM. Requests with credit card payments that are not faxed to the secure fax line will be destroyed along with the credit card authorization in order to ensure the security of applicants’ personal credit card numbers.

For questions or additional information about Special Licenses, contact the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, toll-free, at 866-813-0011, and select Option #1 for Special Licenses.

Notice to Special Licensees

The following is a synopsis of some important laws and rules. The list is not all inclusive, but it will assist you in maintaining a legal and successful operation at your event. Do not take a chance on violating the law or rules. If in doubt about the legality of any activity or function for your event, call your local police department or the closest MLCC Enforcement District Office (located in Southfield, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Escanaba).

Questions can also be answered by the MLCC Special License unit.  Also, you may view and download a copy of the Michigan Liquor Control Code and MLCC Administrative Rules from the MLCC website.

Purchases

All your alcoholic beverages must be purchased from an MLCC licensee. Do not permit BYOB (bring your own beverage) at your event. Do not sell, offer to sell, or advertise an unlimited quantity of alcoholic beverages for a single price.

Profits

Do not permit any person, organization, or business entity, other than the licensee, to receive any profit or loss from the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Gambling/Contests/Raffles/ 50-50 Drawings

Do not allow gambling other than that what is legal under the state lottery and gaming laws. You must obtain a license for legalized gambling from the State Lottery Commission and/or the Michigan Gaming Control Board.  Ensure that any contests are of a legal nature, and they do not violate any state laws.

Minors

Do not allow anyone who is less than 21 years old to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. Ask for identification and examine it closely. Employment of a minor under the age of 18 must be in accordance with the Youth Employment Standards Act of June 1, 1978, MCL 436.1707.

Intoxication

Always watch for signs of intoxication and limit sales. Do not allow anyone who is intoxicated to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages, or to loiter, or congregate on the licensed premises.

Legal Hours

Do not sell or allow consumption of alcohol at your event location outside of the date(s) and time(s) listed on your Special License(s). In addition:

• Do not sell any alcohol between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. and do not allow consumption of alcohol between 2:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Do not sell any alcohol between 11:59 p.m. on December 24 to 12:00 noon on December 25. Do not sell any alcohol after 4:00 a.m. on January 1.
• Do not sell or allow the consumption of beer, wine, or spirits at your event location between 7:00 a.m and 12:00 noon on Sunday without first obtaining a Sunday Sales Permit (A.M.).
• Do not sell or allow the consumption of spirits at your event location after 12:00 noon on Sunday without first obtaining a Sunday Sales Permit (P.M.).

Licensed Premises

It is your responsibility to control and properly police the area where the alcoholic beverages are being sold and consumed. Do not permit persons to carry their alcoholic beverages outside the area approved for consumption. If your event is near a residential area, make sure your guests do not disturb or intrude on your neighbor's property.

Other Rules

It is your responsibility to comply with all state and local building, plumbing, zoning, sanitation, and health laws, rules and ordinances as determined by the state and local law enforcement officials who have jurisdiction over the licensee, pursuant to administrative rule R 436.1003.

Cooperation

It is your responsibility to cooperate with all law enforcement officers. Do not allow within or upon the licensed premises any illegal occupation or illegal
act.

Remember:

• All laws and rules which apply to a regular licensee of the Commission who sells alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises also apply to a Special Licensee.
• Violations of any of the Michigan Liquor Control Code and Administrative Rules, or any other regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises may result in a stop being placed against your organization for issuance of any additional Special Licenses.