Violations and Due Process

If a business violates a state liquor, cannabis or tobacco law or regulation, LCB enforcement officers are empowered to issue verbal and written warnings for minor infractions and administrative violation notices for more serious or repeat offenses.

When a business is issued a violation, they can receive a fine, a temporary license suspension, or both. In cases of repeated violations, a liquor license can be revoked by action of the three-member Liquor and Cannabis Board. Officers look at the past two years of the business' violation history when determining a recommended penalty using WAC 314-29-015.

A business has due process. To learn more about violations and due process, view Understanding your Hearing Options for Administrative Violations from the LCB.
 

The Settlement Conference process:
When a violation is served to a licensee the licensee has a right to contest the violation. Licensees are provided a notice titled “Important Notice Regarding Your Hearing Rights."

On this form the licensee can choose one of three options:

• Pay the fine or other conditions as listed
• Request an Administrative Hearing (find details here)
  To view more information on Administrative Hearings click here.
• Request a Settlement Conference (details below)
   

When a licensee selects to have a Settlement Conference, a meeting will be scheduled with the LCB Enforcement Hearings Examiner. During the Settlement Conference, the Hearings Examiner and licensee will discuss the case and may reach a compromise. If a compromise is reached the Hearings Examiner will draft a compromise agreement to be signed by the licensee and the LCB.  If a compromise is not reached, the case is forwarded to the Attorney General’s office for a formal administrative hearing.

Detailed list of Settlement Conferences for 2024 (Excel format):

• October
• September
• August
• July
• June
• May
• April
• March 
• February
• January
   

Violation Summary and Settlement Conference Archive:

• 2023
• 2022