City of Atlanta

Alcohol licensing fees in City of Atlanta could increase $30,000 or more for some businesses

This is a developing story.  This article will updated and/or changed as we receive additional information.

UPDATE: Based on feedback from meeting attendees, the city council did not approve of the ordinance as proposed by the mayor’s office.  At least for now this won’t proceed as written.

Citing the cost of regulation to be higher than the revenue generated from current fees, the city of Atlanta is proposing massive increases in the cost of annual alcohol licenses.  Currently, Georgia’s state code (OCGA § 3-4-48 ) imposes a $5,000 maximum fee per alcohol license.  The city claims they currently offer a “discounted” combination license to establishments for the sale of distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages.

Under the proposed regulation, the city would cease to offer the discounted combination license and each establishment would be required to purchase a separate license to serve distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages.  This would mean an establishment currently serving all three alcoholic beverage types would see their fees increased from $5,000 annually to $15,000 annually.  Across the board fees would increase for any type of license (manufacture, distribution, retail sale, consumption) to the maximum of $5,000.

Proposed fees would apply to each location serving alcohol within the same building.  If a business has two bars in separate locations, and not within eyesight of each other, they would have a separate licensing fee.  In a Facebook post, Bob Sandage, owner of Wrecking Bar Brewpub said his costs could go “over $50,000” and that if passed results “could be disastrous.”

Restaurant and bar owners received little notice of this proposed change, some just hearing about it yesterday before the proposal went to committee today at 3:00 PM.

Text of proposed ordinance.

 

https://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/City-of-Atlanta-Alt-800x533.pnghttps://beerguysradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/City-of-Atlanta-Alt-150x150.pngTim DennisLegislationNewsAtlanta,politicsAlcohol licensing fees in City of Atlanta could increase $30,000 or more for some businesses This is a developing story.  This article will updated and/or changed as we receive additional information. UPDATE: Based on feedback from meeting attendees, the city council did not approve of the ordinance as proposed by the...Cold beer, hot conversations, stupid jokes.