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License Commission

The License Commission serves as a regulatory board for various licenses issued by the City including licensing purveyors of alcoholic beverages. The Commission strives to issue licenses that will be an asset to the community and to ensure that all rules and regulations pertaining to licenses are complied with in order to protect the safety and health of the public.

Commission Profile

COVID-19 Licensing Updates

State Announces temporary 25% capacity limitation effective December 26, 2020

  • Effective December 26, 2020, all retail alcohol licensees (on-premises and off-premises) are restricted to 25% limit of their stated capacity.
  • For on-premises licenses, these limits apply separately to indoor and outdoor seating.
  • Workers and staff on duty are excluded from the reduced occupancy count.
  • These limitations are temporary in nature and in effect until January 10, 2021, unless further extended by the Governor.

For more information, please refer to the December 24, 2020 ABCC Advisory.

State Announces 9:30 PM Curfew on Alcohol Sales; Insurance Relief for Sec. 12 Establishments Closed During the Pandemic

  • Effective November 6, 2020, all retail alcohol licensees must cease service of alcohol on their premises by 9:30 p.m. and patrons must leave the premises by 10 p.m.
  • Section 12 On-premises license holders who are closed during the COVID-19 state of emergency may renew their licenses for 2021 without providing proof of liability or worker's compensation insurance. Renewals are being mailed to license holders today and must be returned by November 27, 2020.

For more information, please refer to the November 6, 2020 ABCC Advisory.

Worcester Maintains 6 Person Table Limit and Prohibits Bar Seating at Restaurants
New state Restaurant Safety Guidelines go into effect September 28, 2020. The City of Worcester announced that it is maintaining the prior rules that specify no more than 6 people per table and prohibit bar seating at restaurants, as previously established by the August 11, 2020 guidelines. These limits will remain in effect while the City is categorized as a "high risk" (red) community. For all current Safety Guidelines, visit the Massachusetts Reopening Website

Re-Opening Worcester - Outdoor Dining Applications

Restaurant Tables and Chairs Setup and Empty Outdoors

Pursuant to the Governor's June 2, 2020 Order and the City Manager's June 3, 2020 Executive Order, the City of Worcester is accepting applications for the temporary extension of restaurants to provide for outdoor table service. Once reviewed and approved by the Worcester License Commission, restaurants will be able to offer expanded outdoor dining options under Phase II of the Commonwealth's re-opening plan. This expedited application process will significantly decrease the timeframe for extending existing restaurants into outdoor spaces, and additionally offer expanded opportunities for outdoor dining.

To facilitate the expedited application process, the Worcester License Commission is scheduling additional meetings to review and process applications under the City's temporary outdoor dining program.

There is no fee to apply for a temporary outdoor dining extension:

For more information, email OutdoorDining@worcesterma.gov (preferred) or call 508-799-1400 x31440.

Meetings

Meet twice monthly on Thursdays at 10 a.m.

Please review the Meeting Schedule for meeting dates and application deadlines.

Date/Time of Next Meeting: Thursday January 21st, 2021

Notice: Governor Baker issued an executive order allowing for use of a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. Learn More...

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NO APPLICATIONS FILED

Applications

Please contact the License Commission Office at 508-799-1400 ext 31437 or email license@worcesterma.gov if you have questions about which ABCC form to use. There are City of Worcester forms that are also required in addition to the ABCC forms.

THE MASSACHUSETTS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CONTROL COMMISSION (ABCC) REQUIRES THAT ALL INFORMATION ON LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS MUST BE TYPED OR IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. THE FORMS ARE FILLABLE PDF FORMS. NO STAPLES IN THE APPLICATION OR ANY OF THE BACK UP ITEMS AS ALL ITEMS MUST BE SCANNED.

APPLICANTS MUST SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH STAFF FOR APPLICATION TO BE REVIEWED PRIOR TO FILING TO ENSURE THAT APPLICATION IS COMPLETE AND ALL FORMS HAVE BEEN FILLED OUT PROPERLY.

For information on all city permits, licenses and fees, visit the Permit Center

Have a Question?

  • Yes. An on-premise license (which includes the categories of restaurants, hotels, bars, taverns and clubs) may not be issued to a person "who has been convicted of a violation of a federal or state narcotic drug law."

  • Yes. There are qualifications for a liquor license. These qualifications are set by the law. The type and number of qualifications for a liquor license depend on who the party is that is applying for the liquor license (i.e. whether the party is an individual, a partnership, or a corporation) and what type of liquor license is being sought.

    1. Pouring Licenses under Section 12

      Generally, an individual applying for a "pouring license" under Section 12 (e.g. a liquor license for a restaurant, bar, nightclub, hotel or tavern) must be a citizen of the United States and 21 years of age or older. A partnership (where two or more people are doing business together) may hold such a liquor license where each partner is a citizen of the United States and 21 years of age or older.

      A corporation may hold such a liquor license provided that a majority of the directors are not aliens and that the corporate licensee appoints a license manager who is an individual, 21 years of age or older, who is a citizen of the United States and has "vested in him (or her) by properly authorized and executed written delegation as full authority and control of the premises, described in the license of such corporation, and the conduct of all business therein relative to alcoholic beverages as the (corporate) licensee itself could in any way have and exercise if it were a natural person." This license manager must be satisfactory to both the local and state licensing authorities with respect to his or her character.

      No "pouring" license shall be issued to any applicant who has been convicted of a violation of a federal of state narcotic drugs laws. There is no time limit after which this disqualification ends.

    2. Package Store License Under Section 15

      Generally an individual applying for a "package goods store" or "package store" license (i.e. a license for the sale at retail alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises where sold) must be both a citizen and a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and 21 years of age or older. A partnership (where two or more people are doing business together) may hold such a liquor license where each and every partner is both a citizen and a resident of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and 21 years of age or older.

      A corporation may hold such a liquor license provided that the corporation is organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that all directors of the corporation are citizens of the United States and that a majority of the directors of the corporation are residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A corporation who holds such a license must appoint a license manager who is an individual, 21 years of age or older, who is a citizen of the United States and has "vested in him (or her) by properly authorized and executed written delegation as full authority and control of the premises, described in the license of such corporation, and the conduct of all business therein relative to alcoholic beverages as the (corporation) licensee itself could in any way have and experience if it were a natural person". This license manager must be satisfactory to both the local and state licensing authorities with respect to his or her character.

      No license shall be issued to any applicant who has been convicted of a felony. Further, "no firm, corporation, association or other combination of persons, directly or indirectly, or through any agent, employee, stockholder, officer or other person or any other subsidiary whatsoever shall be granted, in the aggregate, more than three such licenses in the commonwealth, or be granted more than one such license in a town or two in a city."

  • No specified distance; however under Section 16C of M.G.L. Chapter 138, premises located within a radius of five hundred feet of a school or church shall not be licensed to sell alcoholic beverages unless the local licensing authority determines in writing and after a hearing that the premises are not detrimental to the educational and spiritual activities of that church or school, unless the premises are those of an inn holder or unless the parts of the buildings are located ten or more floors above street level. The 500 foot distance under this Section 16C is measured in a straight line from the nearest point of the church or school to the nearest point of the premises to be licensed.

  • A licensee has five (5) days from receipt of the written decision to appeal to the A.B.C.C. a decision made by the Local Licensing Authority.

  • Under the Liquor Control Act (M.G.L. Chapter 138), local licensing authorities may grant three classifications of retail licenses:

    1. Licenses under Section 12 (On-Premise), commonly referred to as a "Pouring License."
    2. Licenses under Section 14 (Special), commonly referred to as a "One-Day License."
    3. Licenses under Section 15 (Off-Premises) commonly referred to as a "Package Store License".

  • At least 18 years of age. Although Chapter 138, section 34 prohibits the sale or delivery of Alcoholic Beverages to a person under 21 years of age, nothing in Chapter 138, Section 34 shall prohibit any licensee from employing a person 18 years of age or older for the direct handling, selling, mixing or serving of alcohol or alcoholic beverages.

  •  

    Section 12 (On-Premise) CITIZENS? RESIDENTS?
    Individual YES NO
    Partnership ALL NO
    Corporation MAJORITY NON-ALIENS NO
    Manager YES NO
    Section 14 (Off-Premises) CITIZENS? RESIDENTS?
    Individual YES YES
    Partnership ALL ALL
    Corporation ALL DIRECTORS MAJORITY OF DIRECTORS
    Manager YES NO

  • If a licensee is charged with permitting the service, delivery, or possession of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 years of age, under current state law, a licensee has a defense only if the licensee can affirmatively prove that prior to permitting the service, delivery or possession of alcoholic beverages by a person, the licensee requested, was shown, examined and reasonably relied on either:

    • A valid Massachusetts driver license.
    • A valid Massachusetts Liquor Identification card.
    • A valid Passport issued by the United States Government, or by the government, recognized by the United States government, of a foreign country.
    • A valid United States issued active duty Military Identification Card.

  • Black's Law Dictionary defines a "license" as a permit, granted by an appropriate granted body, generally for a consideration, to a person, firm or corporation to pursue some occupation to carry on some business subject to regulation under the police power. Liquor licenses and permits are revocable privileges granted by the authority of the Commonwealth. Any licensee who violates M.G.L. Chapter 138 or any regulation promulgated by the Commission or the local licensing authority may be stripped of their privilege of holding a license, after a hearing.

  • The local licensing authority in the city of town where the business is located after the completion of a 3-step process. Step one: the local licensing authority grants a restaurant or package store license; Step two: the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (A.B.C.C.) approves the granting of such a license. Following this approval by the A.B.C.C., Step three: the local licensing authority may issue upon payment of the licensing fee.

Resources

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Rules & Regulations

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Liquor Licenses

The State of Massachusetts is requiring all new, amended and transfer applications go through the State's system. Please visit the State's ABCC website for applications.

Contact Information

Planning & Regulatory Services
City Hall Room 404
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608

Accessible via WRTA Bus Line. View Schedules

Phone: 508-799-1400
Fax: 508-799-1406
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8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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