Official Government Website
Alcohol Beverage Control
Ensuring all establishments selling or producing alcoholic beverages, including liquor, beer, and wine are properly licensed and conform to the law.
Contact Alcohol Beverage Control
700 S. Stratford Drive Ste 115
Meridian, ID 83642
Ph: 208.884.7060
Fax: 208.884.7096
Quick Links
Idaho Code
Title 23 – Alcoholic Beverages
IDAPA 11 Title 05 Chapter 01 Administrative Rules Governing Alcohol Beverage Control
Title 63 – Cigarette & Tobacco Taxes
Our lobby is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
ABC temporary rules related to SB1120 are approved and available to view. IDAPA Rules – Updated
ABC’s ZBR review for 11.05.01 was scheduled for this next legislative session, but has been moved to the following legislative session in order to account for potential changes in statute. This move will allow ABC to focus exclusively on navigating this new law and assist license holders through this process.
Legislative Information regarding – S1120
About the Bill
The language of the bill can be read here: (https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2023/legislation/S1120.pdf.) The bulk of the proposed changes to the law appear in the underlined text on page 6 of the bill.
***ABC receives numerous inquiries about alcohol licensing for mobile beer and wine trucks/trailers. Unfortunately, there is not an alcohol license available for the sole purpose of operating a mobile beer or wine truck/trailer in Idaho. Essentially, there are three types of licensing available for retailers: bar, restaurant, and convenience/grocery stores. A licensee must hold themselves out to the public in the manner in which they’re licensed. The premises must be suitable for the type of license being sought and legitimate sales being made upon the licensed premises. The premises should have normal business hours and available for inspection at any time. For licensing, a permanent structure with an address is required, properly zoned, along with other city and county requirements for parking, fire suppression, ADA accessibility, etc. Alcohol licensing is required by the state, county, and city if within city limits. Once licensed, that’s where alcohol sales and/or consumption take place unless a catering permit is obtained for a special event through the city or county in which the event is going to be held. A catering permit is an extension of a license, for a short period of time, for a special event, such as a wedding, holiday celebration, community event, etc. ***
ABC Active License and Permit Verification: View, print, and export current alcohol beverage licenses and permits.
Benevolent Charitable or Public Purpose Event permittees may have liquor at your events (July 2022) per Idaho Statute §23-509B.
Current License Holders: Online renewals are sent via email on the beginning of your renewal period.
Guidelines for Alcohol Delivery (December 2022)
License Expiration Dates: Alcohol beverage license expiration by county.
Notice to Liquor License Applicants: Information for anyone considering obtaining a liquor license in the State of Idaho. (July 2007)
Price Posting & ABC Reporting: ABC Reporting Site for Price Posting, Monthly Beer & Wine Reports, and Certificate of Approval Shipment Reports. If there are problems with the price posting program, contact ABC via email.
State-Issued Identification Cards: Information on the new State of Idaho Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards. (August 2018)
Wineries, breweries, wholesalers, and distributors: You must seek county/city approval before beginning the application process with ABC.
Letters from ABC Bureau Chiefs
- ABC Guidance Letter #23-2
- ABCguidanceletterJuly22-1-1.pdf
- ABC-Guidance-Letter-March-2023.pdf
- Administrative Violation Penalty Schedule: List of common alcohol beverage violations and associated penalties.
- “Coin Pusher” gaming machines
- Legal Update for Dessert Wines (June 2019)
- New Renewal Process (January 2019)
- Noncriminal Justice Applicant Privacy Statement
- Notice to Liquor License Applicants (July 2007)
- Shipping beer directly to consumers
- Unauthorized Gambling Devices in Licensed Establishments
- Winery Catering Permits
Fingerprint Fee
January 1, 2019: The fee for an applicant’s fingerprint-based background check is $33.25 – based on the FBI fee schedule. Cards received with the wrong amount will be returned, and the license application process will be delayed.
