Download the Louisiana Alcohol & Tobacco Control Law Book (PDF)
Link provided by ATC. Availability and content are subject to change by the agency.
Any person or business that manufactures, blends, rectifies, distills, processes, imports, stores, uses, handles, holds, sells, offers for sale, solicits orders for sale, distributes, delivers, serves, or transports alcoholic beverages in Louisiana—or conducts any business transaction related to such beverages—must first obtain the appropriate alcoholic beverage permit.
Yes. A permit is required for any business that serves alcoholic beverages, even if complimentary.
Applications are available on ATC’s website under “Permits.” Each application includes specific qualification criteria.
Schedule A: Required for sole proprietors; partners and financial backers; officers and directors of corporations or LLCs; stockholders (corporations) and members (LLCs) with >5%; managers and agents; those holding power of attorney; and owners of any entity owner of the applicant.
Fingerprints: Generally required for the same individuals. Prints submitted within the prior 5 years may be reused if ATC can locate them; otherwise new prints may be required.
Restaurant permit: Average monthly revenue from food and non-alcoholic beverages must exceed 50% of total monthly revenue from food, non-alcoholic beverages, and alcoholic beverages (see Class A–Restaurant application for full criteria).
Daiquiris: You must qualify for a Class A–General, Class A–Restaurant, or Class C permit prior to selling alcoholic daiquiris.
No. ATC issues one alcoholic beverage permit per physical address.
You may mail your application to ATC’s P.O. Box or submit in person at customer service windows (Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Opelousas). Renewal applications can be submitted online.
Timing: If no alcoholic beverage permit existed at the premises within the six months before the application date, you must obtain and post Notice of Intent posters for at least 15 days before submitting your application. If a permit did exist within the prior six months, you may submit your alcoholic beverage application when you apply for your Notice of Intent posters.
ATC has up to 35 calendar days to issue or deny a permit after receiving a complete application. ATC strives to issue within 10 days or less when complete.
Submit complete, accurate applications with all required documentation and fees.
Public habitable area is publicly accessible space within a permanent structure that meets code, is fully enclosed and climate controlled. It excludes restrooms, closets, storage, utility rooms, employee areas, garages/warehouses, patios/porches, and restricted areas.
New business inspection: An ATC Agent typically contacts you within 24 hours of licensing approval to schedule an inspection.
Under construction: ATC cannot complete a site inspection or issue a permit until construction is complete.
Proximity rules (outside municipalities/undivided areas): Parish ordinances may extend prohibitions to 500 ft from churches, synagogues, public libraries, schools, full-time day care centers, or correctional facilities (including halfway houses).
ATC reviews every application and conducts random inspections. Providing false information is a felony and can lead to permit revocation and criminal charges.
You must immediately notify ATC (and file required documents) when appointing a new manager/agent with decision-making authority, or when LLC members or corporate officers/directors/shareholders >5% change.
Manager definition: Anyone with decision-making authority over daily operations (hiring/firing, ordering, paying bills, scheduling, etc.).
Add a manager: Submit a signed notification with business name/permit number and the manager’s full name, plus a Schedule A for the manager. (See ATC site > Permits > Alcohol Applications > Supplemental Documents, or use the link provided in your original content.)
Provide written notification naming the person, specifying the granted authority (e.g., “conduct all transactions with ATC”), signed/dated by an owner (include printed name and title), and include a completed Schedule A for the POA holder.
Non-transferable: Permits are not transferable, assignable, or heritable. Upon ownership transfer or business closure, return/surrender the permit to ATC within 5 days.
Continuing operations after transfer: New owner may continue operating under the transferor’s permit until approval/denial if ATC is notified within 5 days of transfer and a new application is filed within 15 days.
Location change / trade name change / remove officers: Follow ATC’s instructions in “Permits > Alcohol Applications > Supplemental Documents.”
Convicted felons may not work in a bar (Class A–General) or any business whose primary purpose is the sale of alcoholic beverages (Class C package store) in any capacity unless 10 years have passed since completion of sentence and the felony was not a crime of violence. Background checks are recommended. ATC also lists persons found guilty of serving alcohol/tobacco to underage persons.
Penalties: Fines, suspension, and/or revocation of permits. Selling to under-21 can bring maximum penalties, including revocation/suspension and fines up to $500 (first offense), $1,000 (second), and $2,500 (third), plus possible criminal charges.
Process: After an agent issues a violation, ATC sends a formal Notice of Violation (certified mail) with either a fine option or a required hearing. You may still appear at the hearing if you prefer. Failure to receive the notice is not a defense. Contact ATC Legal at (225) 925-4059 if you haven’t received notice at least 10 days before the ticket’s hearing date.
Payment: Fines may be mailed to the P.O. Box, paid in person at customer service windows, or paid online via ATC (Resources > Legal/ATC Fines).
Compliance checks: ATC uses undercover operatives to test compliance with age laws (21 for alcohol; 18 for tobacco). No fake IDs or deceptive tactics are allowed. Selections are random or based on complaints.
Routine inspections: Agents verify correct permits and qualifications.
Hours: Closing times are set by local ordinance.
Oppose a permit: Submit a petition of opposition within 35 days of the application date. (See ATC “Contact Us / Submit Complaint” or the “opposepermit.pdf” form referenced in your original content.)
Definition: Beer/mead/other fermented beverages produced at home or authorized facilities by persons of legal purchase age, up to 100 gallons/year (single adult household) or 200 gallons/year (two or more adults), for personal use, competitions, club meetings, organized affairs, and exhibitions.
Permits: Generally no permit is required. Special homebrew permits are needed for competitions at licensed Class A retail outlets; special event permits are needed where homebrew is sampled at fairs, festivals, civic/fraternal/religious events, Mardi Gras events, or nonprofit functions. See ATC “Permits > Alcohol Applications > Special Events.”
IDs must clearly establish age 21+. Do not accept expired, defaced, mutilated, or altered IDs. If a state ID is a duplicate, require an additional ID with name, DOB, and photo. A duplicate driver’s license is considered lawful ID and does not require additional ID. School, check-cashing, and employee IDs are not lawful ID for alcohol purchases.
Who qualifies: Any person operating a Class A retail outlet that distills/makes/blends/rectifies/processes alcoholic beverages in Louisiana in quantities ≤ 12,000 gallons/year for retail sale on or off the licensed premises.
Permits: Requires a Microdistillery Permit with ATC and a Class A retail permit at the same premises (see “Permits > Alcohol Applications > Microdistillery”).
Sales: Retail on/off premises is allowed with the proper permits. Wholesale sales to wholesale dealers are not authorized under the microdistillery permit.
Containers: Microdistillers may reuse alcoholic beverage containers in connection with distilling and bottling operations.
This page is provided for convenience and general guidance. Always consult ATC for the most current statutes, rules, and forms.
