Navigating The Application Process: Securing A Liquor License In Belize

To apply for a liquor license in Belize, you must first obtain approval for a trade license if your business is in the City of Belmopan. You then need to submit four completed liquor license applications to the relevant departments, including the Belmopan City Council, Public Health Department, Police Department, and Fire Department. You must also publish your intention to apply for a liquor license in a national newspaper and attach the clipping to your application. Before your application is considered by the Liquor License Board, your premises will be inspected by the Public Health Inspector, Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Environment, and City Council Engineering. Meetings are held quarterly, but you can request a special meeting for $100 if you wish to commence selling liquor immediately. After approval, you must make your payment and display your liquor license certificate in your establishment.

Understanding the types of liquor licenses available

The sale of liquor in Belize requires a valid liquor license, and there are different types of licenses depending on the nature of the business and how the liquor is sold and consumed. The Belize District Liquor Licensing Board is responsible for the approval and distribution of liquor licenses within the district.

• Publican General: This license is for the wholesale or retail sale of liquor in unbroken packages. The cost of this license is $2,500 for urban areas and $2,500 for rural areas.
• Publican Special: This license permits the retail sale of liquor for consumption on the premises. The cost is $1,500 for urban areas and $1,000 for rural areas.
• Hotel: This license allows for the retail sale of liquor or the sale of liquor in sealed containers for consumption on the premises. The cost varies depending on the number of bars: $1,500 for a single bar in urban areas and $1,500 for rural areas; $2,500 for a double bar in urban areas and $2,500 for rural areas.
• Restaurant: This license is for the sale of liquor in a restaurant, but only when consumed with a full meal. The cost is $750 for urban areas and $500 for rural areas.
• Shop: This license permits the sale of liquor in sealed containers only for off-premises consumption. The cost is $1,000 for urban areas and $500 for rural areas.
• Membership: This license is for the retail sale of liquor to members of a club and their guests for on-premises consumption. The cost is $750 for both urban and rural areas.
• Malt & Cider: This license is for the on-premises sale of wine, ale, beer, and cider. The cost is $550 for urban areas and $300 for rural areas.
• Beer: This license permits the sale of beer in sealed containers only for off-premises consumption. The cost is $250 for urban areas and $150 for rural areas.
• Special License/Extension: This license is for the retail sale of liquor at a specific place and during specified hours. The cost is $100 for both urban and rural areas.

It is important to note that the daily closing hours for licensed premises vary depending on the type of license. For example, establishments with a Shop License, Beer License, or Publican Special must close between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the following day, while those with a Night Club license must close between 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. the following day.

Knowing where to obtain the application form

The Belize District Liquor Licensing Board is responsible for the distribution of all liquor licenses within the Belize District. The procedures for obtaining a liquor license are as follows:

Obtaining the Application Form:

• Visit the Belize City Council's Office to obtain an application form. Ensure you get four copies of the Third Schedule form.
• A copy of a valid identification card, such as a passport, social security card, or voter ID, is required along with the application form.

Newspaper Advertisement:

Place an advertisement in any local newspaper at least 14 days before the meeting. Attach the clipping of the advertisement with the completed application form.

Submission:

• Submit the completed application form and newspaper clipping to the Belize City Council's Office.
• Forward additional copies of the application and advertisement to the Police Department at Raccoon Street, the Health Department at the old Nursing School, and the Fire Department at B.E.C. Layout.

Application Review:

• The Liquor Licensing Board reviews applications quarterly in January, April, July, and October.
• If you wish to commence selling liquor immediately, a special meeting can be convened at a cost of $100.

Applicant's Presence:

Applicants should be present at the meeting for their application to be reviewed.

License Issuance:

• After approval, a liquor license is issued to the license holder.
• These documents should be displayed conspicuously in the establishment, as failure to do so is an offense.

By following these steps, you can obtain the necessary application form and initiate the process of applying for a liquor license in Belize.

Understanding the application process

To apply for a liquor license in Belize, you must follow the procedures outlined by the Belize District Liquor Licensing Board. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you understand the application process:

Step 1: Obtain the Application Form

Obtain four copies of the Third Schedule application form from the Belize City Council's Office. This form is required for all liquor license applications.

Step 2: Advertise in a Local Newspaper

Place an advertisement in any local newspaper at least 14 days before the meeting. Attach the clipping of the advertisement to the completed application form. Send one copy of the application with the advertisement clipping to the Belize City Council's Office. Forward the other copies to the Police Department, the Health Department, and the Fire Department.

Step 3: Submit the Application

Submit the completed application and supporting documents to the relevant departments for review. The Liquor Licensing Board meets quarterly (January, April, July, and October) to review applications. If you wish to commence selling liquor immediately, you can request a special meeting by paying a fee of BZ$100.

Step 4: Attend the Meeting

Applicants are required to be present at the meeting for their application to be considered. After the Liquor Licensing Board approves the application, a liquor license will be issued.

Step 5: Display the License

Display the liquor license certificate conspicuously in your establishment. Failure to do so is an offense. The license should be renewed annually.

Additional Considerations:

• A valid form of identification (passport, social security card, or voter ID) is required when submitting the application.
• The cost of the liquor license varies depending on the type of license and whether it is for an urban or rural area.

Being aware of the fees involved

When applying for a liquor license in Belize, it is important to be aware of the various fees involved. The type of license and location of your business will determine the cost of the license. Below is a breakdown of the fees for different types of liquor licenses in Belize:

• Publican General: This license is for the sale of liquor by wholesale or retail in unbroken packages. The cost is $2,500 for both urban and rural areas.
• Publican Special: This license is for the sale of liquor by retail and for consumption on the premises. The cost is $1,500 for urban areas and $1,000 for rural areas.
• Hotel: This license is for the sale of liquor by retail or in sealed containers for consumption on the premises. The cost is $1,500 for a single bar in urban areas, $2,500 for a double bar in urban areas, and $1,500 for rural areas.
• Restaurant: This license is for the sale of liquor in a restaurant for consumption only with a full meal. The cost is $750 for urban areas and $500 for rural areas.
• Shop: This license is for the sale of liquor in sealed containers only for consumption off the premises. The cost is $1,000 for urban areas and $500 for rural areas.
• Membership: This license is for the supply and sale of liquor by retail to members of a club and their guests for consumption on the premises. The cost is $750 for both urban and rural areas.
• Malt & Cider: This license is for the sale of wine, ale, beer, and cider for consumption on the premises. The cost is $550 for urban areas and $300 for rural areas.
• Beer: This license is for the sale of beer in sealed containers only for consumption off the premises. The cost is $250 for urban areas and $150 for rural areas.
• Special License/Extension: This license is for the sale of liquor by retail at a specific place and between specified hours. The cost is $100 for both urban and rural areas.

In addition to the above fees, there may be other costs associated with obtaining a liquor license in Belize, such as advertising fees and application fees. It is important to carefully review the requirements and fees before initiating the application process.

Familiarising yourself with the relevant legislation

To familiarise yourself with the relevant legislation, you should refer to the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act (Chapter 150) and the Substantive Laws of Belize (Chapter 287).

The Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act sets out the types of liquor licenses available, the application process, and the fees payable. The types of licenses include:

• Publican General
• Publican Special
• Hotel
• Restaurant
• Shop
• Membership
• Malt & Cider
• Beer
• Special License/extension

The application process involves:

• Obtaining approval of a Trade License if the business is in the City of Belmopan.
• Submitting four completed application forms to the relevant authorities.
• Publishing a notice in a national newspaper of your intent to apply for a liquor license.
• Undergoing inspections by the Public Health Department, Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Environment, and City Council Engineering.
• Attending a meeting of the Liquor Licensing Board, which meets quarterly (in January, April, July, and October). Special meetings can be convened for a fee of $100.
• After approval, making the required payments and displaying the liquor license certificate in your establishment.

The Substantive Laws of Belize set out the opening hours for shops, stating that 'no shops shall be open for the serving of customers except between the hours of six o'clock in the morning and nine o'clock in the evening on any one day.'

Frequently asked questions