Retail Liquor (On-Sale) License

This application is required for those selling malt-based beverages, wines, ciders, and distilled spirits. The beverages may only be sold for on-premises consumption.

Fee

The license fee is determined by sealed bid with the minimum bid of $240,646 (Ordinance 111.015.1), payable to the City of Sioux Falls.

The fee must be submitted with the application. The annual renewal fee is $1,523 ($1,500 license fee and $23 fire inspection fee), payable to the City of Sioux Falls. The full fee applies regardless of the date issued (SDCL 35-4-41).

The fee must be submitted with the application. Cash, check, or credit/debit card are accepted.

You will incur a card service fee if you pay with a credit or debit card.

Processing Timeline

The time frame from when the application forms and fee are received by the Licensing Specialist until City Council action is approximately four to six weeks due to publication requirements (SDCL 35-2-5).

After City Council approval, please allow another 10 to 14 days for the state to issue the license. The Licensing Specialist will send the license to you.

Please contact the Licensing Specialist for more information.

Permitted Hours

Under state law, alcohol sales can only occur from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. (SDCL 35‑4‑81.2). In Sioux Falls, licensees can sell 365 days a year.

License Term

The Retail Liquor (On-Sale) License is valid from January 1 through December 31 each year and must be renewed in the fall (SDCL 35-4-41).

The Licensing Specialist will mail the renewal paperwork to you at the address you provided at the initial application.

Restrictions

• This license type is restricted by our population (SDCL 35-4-11 and Ordinance 111.003).
• Per SDCL 35-2-5.3, the governing body may deny reissuance of an on-sale license if it has not been actively used by the applicant during the two years preceding the date of the current application.
• The Applicant and managing officers of the corporation must be of good moral character and never convicted of a felony (SDCL 35-2-6.2).
• Any licensee must be the owner or actual lessee of the premises where the business is conducted and the sole owner of the business operated under the license (SDCL 35-2-6.3).
• The applicant must also obtain a sales tax license, and the names must exactly match the alcoholic beverage license (SDCL 35-2-25).

• A retail licensee may only buy or receive alcoholic beverages from a licensed wholesaler (SDCL 35-4-60).