Office of Policy & Legislative Affairs
An Online Resource for Skilled Immigrants
Licensing Resources for Veterans
Construction Codes
Community and Health Systems
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau.
Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules
Professional Licensing
Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
April 04, 2024
LANSING, MI - With summer just around the corner, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) encourages nonprofit organizations to plan ahead when seeking a special liquor license for the 2024 outdoor hospitality season. Special licenses, which are also known as a “one-day license”, allow nonprofits in Michigan to serve alcoholic beverages at outdoor, fundraising, and other specialty events.
"It is never too soon to submit a special license application for your upcoming community or fundraising event,” said MLCC Chair Kristin Beltzer. “Submitting your application as early as possible helps the MLCC ensure that all of our nonprofit partners have the special licenses they need for safe, fun, and profitable summertime events.”
Requests made to the MLCC for special licenses increase sharply in the spring and summer as organizations apply for special licenses for outside patio parties, street events, and beer tents. The MLCC reviews and approves over 9,000 special licenses a year, most of which are issued for events in the summer months.
Due to the high demand during this season, applicants are urged to submit special license applications well before the event to ensure ample processing time. Applications not received timely by the MLCC may result in a license not being issued.
The MLCC also reminds nonprofit organizations that they must be authorized to do business in Michigan to be issued a special license. Nonprofit organizations must be registered as a nonprofit corporation and in good standing with the Michigan Corporations Division.
Restaurants, bars, hotels, and manufacturing tasting rooms that are already licensed to serve alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, but that do not have authorization to serve guests in outdoor areas, must also apply for either temporary outdoor service for specific outdoor events or request permanent permission to utilize an outdoor service area year-round.
For more information on how to apply for special licenses and outdoor service authorization, or for more information about the MLCC, please visit www.michigan.gov/lcc.
###
The mission of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) is to make alcoholic beverages available for consumption while protecting the consumer and the general public through regulation of those involved in the sale and distribution of these alcohol beverage products.
