The top two questions I get from potential clients are around timing and cost. Here I’ll address those questions, how to think about them for your project, and add some FAQ’s you should be asking when you’re dealing with California alcohol licenses.

Question 1: “How long does it take?”

Short answer: from 3-12 months


The range isn’t random, it’s based on many variables:

Your specific timeline depends on:

• • License type

• • Location and local zoning rules

• • Your business structure complexity

• • Your level of communication & organization


Fastest scenarios (3 months):

• • Person-to-person transfer with a cooperative seller

• • Simple entity structure for a buyer

• • No tax agency holds

• • Very responsive parties

• • Involving most common retail or wholesale license type


Standard timelines (4-5 months):

• • Transfers involving complex ownership on either side of the deal

• • Tax holds on a seller’s business

• • Unreported changes on the diagram or seller’s corporation

• • Neighborhood notices

• • Normal busy person response

• • Holidays & travel


Longer processes (6-12 months):

• • Local Planning Dept. permitting required (CUP’s or changes of use)

• • Slow responses from parties or agencies

• • Construction delays (ABC will not issue a license until you’re ready to open)

• • Complex ownership or business type

• • PCN (Public Convenience or Necessity) for Type 21, 42 or 48

There’s also a wide range of costs in California, and that depends on license type, license location and transaction type.

The good news is I can tell you before you spend any money what it’s likely going to cost to get an approved ABC license.


ABC Fees: Original or Secondary Market

Original ABC licenses range from ~$1,600 (Type 41) to $21,000 (Type 47).

As many of you know, the more expensive licenses (aka “General” licenses that include spirits) are also more highly controlled by ABC and unless you’re ready for the annual lottery in a county where they’re available, you will have to find one on the secondary market, which also varies by county.

Those can be $35,000 in some areas or $280,000 in others.



If you buy a license on the secondary market, there will also be transfer application fees with ABC that range from $1,000 to $4,000 based on the license type. But the good news is that buying this kind of license is an asset that you can resell down the road. 



Additional Costs: Escrow, Neighborhood Notices, City Fees, Consultants (yours truly)

Transfers usually involve an escrow (~$2,000 - $4,500), cities can charge for Planning Dept. verification or Use Permits ($100 - $10,000), mailing to neighbors costs with printing and postage per resident (within 500 ft) and your consultant, like me, will charge to handle the process.

All-in costs are important to know when opening a business, so once I understand your concept, know your location & zoning, and understand your corporate structure, I can give more realistic timeline & cost estimates to help you prepare for success.