Alcoholic Beverage Permits

About Alcoholic Beverage Permits

In Lancaster, we support responsible alcohol sales and consumption through a well-regulated permit system. Below is all the information you need to know about obtaining the necessary permits for alcohol sales and service within the city.

Alcohol Sales Approval

  • Off-Premise Consumption: Approved by Lancaster voters in November 2010 for beer and wine sales by retailers.
  • Restaurants: Approved in May 2004 for the sale of mixed beverages, beer, and wine.

Required Permits

To sell or serve alcoholic beverages in Lancaster, you need:

Download the Lancaster Application for Alcoholic Beverage Permit

Obtaining an Alcoholic Beverage Permit

  1. Application Submission: Complete the local permit application to serve and/or sell alcohol within the City of Lancaster.
  2. State Permit: Obtain the necessary permits from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
  3. Processing: The Office of the City Secretary handles the processing of local permit applications.

Ordinance and Regulation Compliance

The Planning Department ensures that all establishments comply with local ordinances and regulations regarding the location and operation of alcohol-serving businesses. For more information on these regulations, contact the Planning Department at (972) 218-1240. 

Permit Fees

Local fees are collected by the City of Lancaster according to the state schedule, with a renewal period of 2 years. Fees are assessed at half the amount of the state fee in accordance with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code (TABC). Please note that these fees are non-refundable.