Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Special Event Licensing

Special Event licenses allow a business that holds an annual liquor license; an individual; or a group; to sell and serve alcohol at a special event. 

A Special Event license is needed at special events when:

  • Alcohol will be sold;
  • Alcohol is available (but not being sold), and you are charging or accepting donations for admission, or where payment is required to attend the event.
All licensing processes must now be completed using the online CAMP platform.  Paper applications are no longer accepted for annual licenses or special events. All applications must be submitted using CAMP.

A liquor license is needed at special events where:​

  • ​Alcohol will be sold.​
  • Alcohol is available (but not being sold), and you are charging or accepting donations for admission, or where payment is required to attend the event.

A liquor license is NOT needed at special events where: 

  • You are making alcohol available, but there is no payment or purchase required, and no donations of money are accepted, for alcohol, or for entry/admission, or for any other product or service. An example is a wedding reception where you make alcohol available, but you don't require payment or purchase and don't accept donations of money.​​

​​

If you have an annual liquor license, please select your license type:  


A Special Event License allows the sale of distilled sprits, malt beverages, wine, and cider for drinking within a licensed area. It also allows for the sale of manufacturer-sealed containers of malt beverages, wine, and cider, for drinking off-site of the licensed area. 
 
Forms (New for CAMP)

  • Operational Plan - For any event with 501 or more attendees. This form needs to be completed and uploaded as part of your online CAMP application.
  • Event Map - For events with 501 or more attendees OR any outdoor event. This form needs to be completed and uploaded as part of your online CAMP application.

Guides

​​If you need help, please contact your local OLCC Office: OLCC Office Locations

NEW Local Government Recommendation Form
Note: There are separate versions for Annual Liquor Licenses and Special Event Licenses. Please make sure that you are using the correct form. Section 1 must be completed by the applicant, and section 2 must be completed by the local government, before applying with the OLCC. Once you receive a response from the local government, you will need to upload that documentation as part of your online CAMP application.

Additionally, some local governments provide their own documentation that can also satisfy this requirement. You may use either the OLCC-provided Local Government Recommendation Form or your local government's own document, as long as your submission contains at least the following 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 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.

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


YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for a Temporary Sales License - For Profit (TSL-FP) if you are a person or organization who makes alcoholic beverages within Oregon or who imports or causes to be imported into Oregon an alcoholic beverage for sale or distribution in Oregon.

This includes the following OLCC licensees: Brewery, CERA, CERD, Distillery, Grower Sales Privilege, Warehouse, Wholesale Malt Beverage and Wine, and Winery. Wineries, breweries, distilleries, and wholesalers in other states are also not eligible for a TSL-FP.

Most of these licensees have other special event license type options; however out-of-state wineries, breweries, distilleries, wholesalers, or any out of state permit holders are not eligible for any special event license types, unless they have an in-state license as well that affords them a special event license beyond a TSL.

If you have questions, or need clarification please email olcc.specialevents@olcc.oregon.gov

Special Event Alcohol Licensing is moving online to CAMP (Cannabis & Alcohol Management Program)

  • Applicants need to submit their application to the City of Portland for endorsement and pay any of their required fees. 
  • Please visit City of Portland’s website and submit your application through its new online system, Civic Portal. Please attach a copy of your approval letter from City of Portland when you submit your application to OLCC.
  • Applicants must submit a copy of their application with payment to the OLCC – this is separate from the payment and application to the City of Portland. 
  • All of the above items must be completed in order for the application to be processed.


Fact Sheet: Recreational Marijuana - Consumption, Gifting, and Giveaways

Please be aware that as a licensee, you could be subject to administrative sanctions for allowing public consumption of marijuana at your licensed premises. If you need further clarification of a public place, please call 503-872-6366.



Applications received less than two weeks before an event date, may not be processed in time for the scheduled event. “Approved” status applications will be sent to you at the contact email address provided on the application. Please reach out to olcc.specialevents@oregon.gov if your approved application copy has not been received.
Contact Us
For questions, please contact the OLCC Office Locations of the city or county where your event will be located.