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General Overview of the Licensing Process

If your business deals with the importation, manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol in Oregon, you need a liquor license. This information is designed to give you a general overview of the process to obtain an annual liquor license in Oregon.

Oregon has several types of liquor licenses. Each license type has it's own fees, privileges and requirements. 

License applicants must have an address in Oregon where the business will be located. Applicants must currently own, lease, or rent the business property, or be in the process of purchasing, leasing, or renting the property.

Please follow the steps below to submit a Liquor License Application to the OLCC.

  1. Complete and sign the Liquor License Application
  2. Prior to submitting the application to the OLCC, send the completed application to the local government for the premises street address to obtain a recommendation.
    • If the premises street address is within a city’s limits, the local government is the city.
    • If the premises street address is not within a city’s limits, the local government is the county.
  3. Collect the application from the local government after the recommendation has been provided.
  4. Email the completed application that contains the local government recommendation to OLCC.LiquorLicenseApplication@oregon.gov.

Do not submit any fees with your license application packet (fees will be collected at a later time).

After the OLCC has accepted your liquor license application, it will be assigned to a License Investigator who will work with you to obtain any other required documents. The OLCC may be able to issue you a Temporary Authority to Operate. If issued, this authority will allow you to immediately start exercising the privileges of the license while the OLCC completes its investigation.


As of February 1, 2023 OAR 845-005-0312(2)(a) requires applicants for an annual license to submit to the OLCC the completed Liquor License Application, which includes the recommendation from the local government.

  • If the premises street address is within a city’s limits, the local government is the city.
  • If the premises street address is not within a city’s limits, the local government is the county.


Most OLCC investigations take four to eight weeks to complete. Investigations may take longer if: the business location has had problems with OLCC, police or neighbors; the applicant has a criminal history; the applicant has provided false information; and/or the applicant has a history of abusing drugs or alcohol.

If your application is approved, the OLCC will collect the appropriate license fee and issue the license. If the application is denied or restricted, there is a process to contest the decision. If you have additional questions, please email olcc.alcohollicensing@oregon.gov.



If you have additional questions, please contact your local OLCC office.