Expanded Alcohol Services FAQs

A: Yes, the local government’s designee may request authorization to allow an area or areas in their jurisdiction to participate in any of the three expanded outdoor alcohol services. 

A: In addition to completing the application on the LCB Portal, a local authority’s designee will need to submit an operating plan and a site map that includes the specific areas requested. 

A: A local government may request expanded outdoor service in public spaces for the entire period for one fee. They may ask for multiple locations with their request for authorization under that one fee. If the local government determines they want to add additional locations or extend the originally requested timeframe, that would be a separate request for authorization and an additional fee. 

A: All applications must be submitted by a local government designated official through LCB’s Portal. To log in and create a Portal account, the designee will first need a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account.  For problems with SAW please contact WaTech at (360) 586-1000 or Support@watech.wa.gov.

A: Yes, because they are requesting two individual and separate events, each event will need to be submitted and authorized separately. If they are designating the same area for a continuous period of time, they only need to submit one request.

A: Local governments will need to consider the extent of right of ways and other considerations prior to applying for authorization. They should be clear in their site map and operating/joint operating plans when these areas are specifically included and/or excluded. 

A: Yes, the local government may determine the width of entrances and exits into the expanded areas. If the local government does not provide a width, the requirement defaults to LCB’s 10 feet maximum.

A: The bill recommends during the public engagement review to examine the following:

• (a) Whether adequate local resources, including law enforcement patrols in the area, were or are provided during times that expanded alcohol service was or is offered, to ensure community safety;
• (b) Whether services were or are provided to keep the area of the jurisdiction in which the activities occurred or are occurring clean and free of litter or other remnants of the use of public spaces for expanded alcohol service; and
• (c) The costs and benefits to the community of expanded alcohol sales and service perceived by residents throughout the community.

Q:  My jurisdiction is considering a block party scenario – with the expanded outdoor alcohol services in public spaces authorization, can eventgoers buy a drink from an existing establishment/bar and walk around with it at the event? Can they bring that drink into another establishment/bar with a separate liquor license?

A: With expanded outdoor alcohol service in public spaces authorization, the local authority will be required to define/outline where the expanded service will take place. Local authorities must use either barriers or demarcations to indicate the specific space licensed for alcohol consumption. Within their identified space, eventgoers can buy a drink from an establishment and walk around the outdoor event. Eventgoers are not permitted to bring drinks inside another liquor or non-licensee establishment. 

A: Under SSHB 1515, caterers may only participate in events hosted on civic campuses and fan zones. When they are participating in these authorized events, they do not need to be sponsored by a nonprofit society or organization. They may also cater these events, even if they are hosted by another liquor-licensed premises. 

A: Yes, as the designee, an Authorized Representative will be permitted to apply on behalf of their clients.

A: There are three opportunities for liquor licensees to participate in expanded alcohol services. We recommend working with your local jurisdiction to be included in operating plans for expanded outdoor alcohol services in designated areas, participating in civic campus events in cities with a population over 220,000 and/or participating in recognized fan zone events. 

A: LCB will have Geographic Information System (GIS) maps on our website showing the local government approved authorizations. This will allow licensees and others to know where expanded services are available and identify if a licensee is in an area that is authorized. If they determine they want to participate and are not included in the original joint operating plan, they are recommended to work with their local government to participate, then sign up for the activity in the LCB portal.

A: Any eco-friendly/disposable requirements would be determined by the local government or designee and does not need LCB approval.

A: Licensees may participate in an area that the local authority has requested authorization for and has been approved by LCB. Please work with your local government to participate in the necessary operating plans.

A: Existing licensees who participate in events under this do not have an additional cost from the LCB for participation. Please note, each participating licensee must attest to joint responsibility if there is a violation of liquor laws.

A: Caterers can participate in two of the three authorizations under SSHB 1515: events on civic campuses, and events in Fan Zones or in the Host City. A caterer may be listed as part of a joint operating plan participating with other licensees, or they may be tapped to lead or co-lead an event as a “primary licensee.” Caterers should work with their local jurisdiction to find out more about participating.

A: Current outdoor service liquor rules remain in effect. Authorizations under this provision do allow multiple licensees to share outdoor spaces. There are also proposed rules on line-of-sight requirements.

A: The Special Occasion License issued to non-profit organizations can be used in two of the three allowances of SSHB 1515. Organizations may apply for the Special Occasion License to participate in authorized Civic Campus Events and/or in FIFA Fan Zone and Host City events. 

A: Events hosted on Civic Campuses and Fan Zones do not count towards the 12-event per year limit for Special Occasion Licenses. Additionally, wine by-the-bottle in unopened containers may not be sold for on-premises consumption. The fee for these events is $185 per day/per event. 

A: In addition to completing the application on the LCB Portal, a local authority’s designee or campus operator will need to submit a site map and a joint operating plan. Please note, the joint operating plan must include the trade name and liquor license numbers of all participating licensees.

A: The local authority may apply for the authorization, or they may authorize a designee, such as the campus operator or a primary licensee, to apply for the authorization. 

A: Yes, a joint operating plan will still be required for the event. It must address safety and security issues. 

A: The local authority can request authorization for a single or multiday event. Civic Campus multiday events are limited to seven per year through Dec. 31, 2027. Host City and Fan Zone events are limited to one multiday event in June or July 2026. The local authority can request authorization for expanded outdoor alcohol service in public spaces for multiday events, a single day, or for a duration of time through Dec. 31, 2027.

A: As this is a joint responsibility operation distinct glassware is not required. It is encouraged that there be a clear distinction between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage containers. 

A: The local government authority or designee must apply for the Fan Zone authorization for one event during June and/or July 2026. Please connect with your local government to begin the application process.

A: No, there is no proposed definition of “multiday” for Fan Zones to limit events to seven days. 

A: These new provisions allow local governments or their designees to apply for events that allow for all event environments that emphasize safe crowd management of high numbers of people, maximizes mobility for event guests, especially families, and maintains safe operations that ensure alcohol is not accessed or consumed by people under age 21, overservice is prevented, and alcohol does not leave the premises. 

A: If the local government or designee requests expanded outdoor alcohol service in public spaces in a particular area, it will allow customers to take alcoholic drinks/glassware bought in one liquor-licensed restaurant into a shared outdoor area. For Civic Campus and Fan Zone events, if requested, authorization may be granted for customers to take alcoholic drinks/glassware in and out of participating restaurants in the approved area. 

A: As with any liquor violation, LCB enforcement officers can issue verbal and/or written warnings for minor infractions and administrative violation notices for more serious or repeat offenses. Joint responsibility will apply for any violation or enforcement issue unless it can be demonstrated that the violation or enforcement issue was due to one or more licensee’s specific conduct or action. This webpage outlines due process for licensees.