Liquor License Sealed Bid Application Procedure

Effective July 2023, the City Council approved the process to issue liquor licenses through a sealed bid process. The ordinance mandates that a notice of public sale be published at least twice, with the first publication not less than ten calendar days prior to the date of the sale.

The number of on-sale liquor licenses available in the City of Sioux Falls is based on population estimates issued by the U.S. Census Bureau on even-numbered years, except for the decennial year, where the population is equal to the amount determined by the decennial federal census. Based on current population growth, it would be expected that the City may have four to six licenses to issue every two years (next in 2027). This is based on multiple factors and is only an estimate.

Information on any liquor licenses that become available will be listed below.

General Information

Detailed instructions for each license type will be listed on the Public Notice and the associated bid packet in the listing above.

• Sealed bids will be received in person during regular business hours during the date(s) and time(s) specified in the notice. No mail-in bids will be accepted.
• The nonrefundable bid application fee is $100. (Check, cash, or credit card.)
• You can submit one on-sale and one off-sale liquor license sealed bid for the same location.
• Bid forms are available in hard copy from the City Attorney’s Office (first floor at City Hall) or can be downloaded in the Notice of Public Sale link listed above.
• Bid submission and bid opening dates and times will be listed in the bid packet for each type of license.

If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact the City’s Licensing Specialist at 605-367-8082 or email jamie.palmer@siouxfalls.gov.