Doing Business

Alcohol License 

Mayor and Council for the City of Port Wentworth serves as the licensing authority for the sale of alcoholic beverages and for the issuance of alcohol licenses. This authority hears and rules upon applications for the sale of legal malt or alcoholic beverages at wholesale or retail. The authority can suspend or revoke such licenses for cause.

  • Application packets for a liquor license can be downloaded here or picked up from City Hall, 305 South Coastal Highway, Port Wentworth, Georgia 31407. An application must be completed and filed with the Occupational Tax Registrant by each applicant for a license to conduct and carry on such business of selling legal alcoholic or malt beverages or engaging therein and by each applicant for the transfer or renewal of an existing license.


    Prior to submission of the application, be sure it is complete, as partially completed applications cannot be accepted.  If your business is a Corporation, LLC or Partnership, include the “Articles of Incorporation” from the Georgia Secretary of State.

  • Alcohol certificates expire December 31 of each year and must be renewed by January 31 of the following year. Renewals made after this date shall be subject to penalties for delinquency of twenty (20) per cent. 

  • The application fee(s) due at the time of submission are listed below:

    • Package shop - $2,165.80
    • Beer/wine - $720.40
    • Pouring—Beer/wine/liquor - $2,575.00
    • Wine - $265.00    
    • Sunday alcohol sales - $450.00
    In addition to the above fees (on all new applications), a one hundred dollar ($100.00) administrative fee shall be paid to cover the cost for advertising and background checks.

    On the first issuance of the alcohol license, the fees will be pro-rated if purchased after the month of June. Any new license granted under this division during a calendar year shall cost the full license fee without proration, except that the fee for a new license granted after June 30 in any calendar year shall be fifty (50) per cent of the annual license fee for the remainder of the calendar year. 


      • Obtaining a liquor license in the City of Port Wentworth is a privilege and not a right.
      • Licenses are issued by Mayor and Council as the licensing authority for the sale of alcoholic beverages and for the issuance of alcohol licenses. 
      • All applications are submitted to the local authority and must be approved before being forwarded to the State Liquor Enforcement Division.

    • Port Wentworth liquor and beer licenses may be issued in the name of natural persons, corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. Applicants and other persons involved with partnerships, corporations, or limited liability companies, must be at least 21 years of age.

      All corporations and limited liability companies must be registered with the Georgia Secretary of State's Office and authorized to do business. Foreign corporations and foreign limited liability companies must also register with the Secretary of State and be authorized to do business in Georgia.

      Applicants do not have to be a United States citizen or a Port Wentworth resident to acquire a liquor or beer license and the existence of a criminal record does not preclude a person from licensure. However, applicants with criminal records must be able to provide evidence of rehabilitation or they may be denied a license.

    • After an alcohol license application has been filed, a copy of the application will be forwarded to the Director of Public Safety who will run a criminal history background check on the applicant for review by Mayor and Council.

    • New licenses and Transfer of Ownership licenses are granted based upon demonstration that the surrounding neighborhood "needs and desires" the issuance of a new license and that the moral character of the applicant is acceptable to the local and state licensing authorities. 

    • The liquor license process generally takes two to three months or longer to complete. Therefore, you must communicate with the Occupational Tax Registrant far in advance of your opening date or desired date to sell. Failure to file applications in a timely manner will most likely result in a delay.

    • No license for the sale, handling, giving away or other disposition of malt or alcoholic beverages shall be issued to any person unless and until Mayor and Council have voted affirmatively upon the matter at a regular City Council meeting.  In the event the vote of Council favors the issuance of an alcohol license, such license will be authorized for issuance. 
      Once you have been issued the City of Port Wentworth Alcohol License, you must contact the Georgia Department of Revenue, Alcohol Division, by clicking here, to apply for the state license.  The local and the state alcohol licenses are required for authority to sell, serve or distribute alcohol.  All certificates should be visibly posted at the business establishment.

  • A new application must be submitted for change of ownership, business entity type change, i.e., corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, also change of location and change of manager. 

  • It shall be unlawful for any business operating under a City issued alcohol license to sell, dispense, or otherwise vend any distilled spirits within one hundred (100) yards of any church and two hundred (200) yards of any school grounds or college campus.

  • Applicants unfamiliar with the lengthy and detailed application process may want to consult an attorney. Assistance is available to all individuals for the completion of the legal requirements regarding each classification of liquor and beer licenses. The necessary application and instructions are downloadable here on our website and are also available at City Hall, 305 South Coastal Highway, Port Wentworth, Georgia 31407.

    For more information about the liquor licensing process or upcoming City Council Meetings, contact the Occupational Tax Registrant at 912-964-4379. 
    La asistencia está disponible para todos los individuos para la terminación de los requisitos legales relacionados con el proceso de solicitud extenso con respecto a todas las clasificaciones de las licencias de licor y cerveza. Por favor llame al 912-964-4379 y hable hoy con el Registrador de Impuestos Ocupacionales.

    La asistencia está disponible para todos los individuos para la terminación de los requisitos legales relacionados con el proceso de solicitud extenso con respecto a todas las clasificaciones de las licencias de licor y cerveza. Por favor llame al 912-964-4379 y hable hoy con el Registrador de Impuestos Ocupacionales.

    Todos los formularios e instrucciones necesarios se pueden descargar aquí en nuestro sitio web y también están disponibles en el Ayuntamiento, 305 South Coastal Highway, Port Wentworth, Georgia 31407.

     

     

    Los solicitantes que no estén familiarizados con el proceso de solicitud extenso y detallado pueden consultar con un abogado. La asistencia está disponible para todos los individuos para la realización de los requisitos legales referentes a todas las clasificaciones de las licencias de licor y cerveza.

Your first contact regarding liquor licensing should be with the Occupational Tax Registrant. Please call 912-964-4379 or send an email to hvillafana@cityofportwentworth.com, for more information.   

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