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Off-Premises Sales License

Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) are adopted, repealed and amended by the Oregon legislature and signed into law by the Governor.  
 
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) are implemented by the OLCC. These regulations are proposed by, adopted, repealed and amended by the OLCC.

ORS 471

  • See section .186 for the Off-Premises Sales license

OAR 845, Division 5

  • See subsection 0416 for definitions for delivery of Malt Beverages, Wine or Cider to Individuals
  • See subsection 0417 for Qualifications for Direct Shipment and Retail Delivery of Malt Beverages, Wine, or Cider to a Resident of Oregon

OAR 845, Division 6

  • See subsection 0391 for definitions for delivery of Malt Beverages, Wine or Cider to Individuals
  • See subsection 0392 for Requirements for Same-Day and Next-Day Retail Delivery of Malt Beverages to a Resident of Oregon
  • See subsection 0396 for Requirements for Direct Shipment and Delivery of Wine and Cider to a Resident of Oregon
  • See subsection 0450 for Retail On-Premises Malt Beverage, Wine, or Cider Sampling: Operating Requirements and Limits



  • You must have an address in Oregon where you will do business. 
  • You must currently own, lease, or rent the business property or you must be in the process of purchasing, leasing, or renting the property. You may make any purchase, lease, or rent agreement contingent on obtaining a liquor license. 
  • Determine whether your business will be a sole proprietorship or some form of legal entity (such as a corporation or limited liability company). If you are a legal entity you must be registered to do business in Oregon with the Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division. 
  • If you will offer lottery games (including video poker) contact the Oregon Lottery Commission. 
  • If you will make, warehouse, or sell at retail beer, wine or distilled spirits for drinking on site, the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Division may require a license. 


Important Update: Local Government Recommendation Requirement

What is changing?
Effective immediately, we are accepting applications with either:

  • valid proof of submission of the OLCC Liquor License Application to the local government, or
  • the final recommendation from the local government


What is valid proof of submission from the local government?
Each local government processes applications in a unique way per its city or county ordinances. Your proof of submission MUST include these key pieces of information:

  • Date the local government received the application
  • Trade Name of the business
  • Premises street address (where the business will be located)
  • Name of the local government (city or county name)
  • That the submission is for a Liquor License


How do I submit my application to the OLCC?
Once you receive proof of submission from your local government, you may submit that proof along with your complete application to: OLCC.LiquorLicenseApplication@Oregon.gov

NOTE: For tracking purposes, please submit all materials at the same time, in the same email.


How do I find my local government?
To find the correct local government for your application, we recommend searching the internet for “Your City or County” + OLCC Liquor License. This will typically return a search result that will help guide you to the appropriate office in your jurisdiction.

Common departments for processing LGB recommendations include Planning & Development, Civic Life, or the Sheriff’s Office; however, each local government is different.

Liquor License Applicants within the City of Portland, click here: City of Portland.


What types of applications need a recommendation from the local government?
Local government recommendation is clearly explained on the Liquor License Application. This is a four-page application that is used for many situations, including, but not limited to New Outlets, Change of Ownership, and Change of Location.

Other license actions and Out-of-State permits do not require recommendation from the local government. If you do not see any requirement for local government recommendation on your application, you can ignore these instructions.



After completing the liquor license application and obtaining the recommendation from the local government:

Note: All submissions must be as a PDF file. Do not include any license fees at this time.

If you need help completing your application, email olcc.alcohollicensing@oregon.gov.




Applicants for an Off-Premises Sales license must: 
  • Read Law Orientation for Retailers.   
  • Submit the Law Orientation Affirmation.   
  • If you will provide sample tastings of malt beverage, wine, or cider in your store you must make sure that any person who serves those tastes has a valid service permit. Get Your Alcohol Service Permit
  • Have each employee read, sign, and date the OLCC brochure “What Every Store Clerk Needs to Know About Selling Alcohol” BEFORE allowing the employee to sell alcohol at the store. You must keep the completed brochure on the licensed premises for as long as the person is employed by you and works at the business selling alcohol. NOTE: if you also have an OLCC license that allows the sale of alcohol for drinking on the premises at the same business as the Off-Premises Sale license, employees with a valid service permit don’t need to have completed the brochure.


An Off-Premises Sales licensee is eligible to apply for a Temporary Sales License (TSL).  A TSL licensee:

  • May sell and serve distilled spirits, malt beverages, wine, and cider for consumption on the special event licensed premises.
  • May sell factory-sealed containers of beer, wine, or cider at retail to individuals in Oregon for consumption off of the special event licensed premises.
  • May sell malt beverages, wine, and cider to individuals in a securely covered container (“growler") for consumption off the licensed premises (the container may not hold more than 2 gallons).
  • Other than a “growler" may not allow patrons to take an open container of alcohol off of the special event licensed premises.

Temporary Sales License (TSL) application


​Please submit your complete application to olcc.LiquorLicenseApplication@oregon.gov.​​ 

If you need help completing your application, or have additional questions, please e-mail olcc.AlcoholLicensing@oregon.gov.