Gov. Jay Inslee on Feb. 28, 2021, signed into law Senate Bill 5272 that delays liquor license payments until March 30, 2022. It takes effect April 1, 2021.

This relief bill is expected to save our hospitality members $2,000 or more.

The fees for the following liquor licenses are waived for 12 months:

  • distillers, distill/rectify, fruit/wine distillery, craft distillery
  • distillery/craft distillery tasting room
  • domestic wineries
  • domestic breweries
  • microbreweries
  • beer/wine restaurant
  • tavern
  • snack bar
  • spirits/beer/wine restaurant
  • nonprofit arts
  • motel
  • sports entertainment facility
  • public house
  • hotel
  • spirits/beer/wine nightclub
  • beer/wine theater
  • spirits/beer/wine theater
  • senior center
  • caterers

The 12-month waiver period begins in April 2021 and applies to renewals of licenses that expire during the12-month waiver period and to new licenses issued to those businesses that were previously licensed at any point in the year immediately preceding the 12-month waiver period.

According to the board, licensees that temporarily closed between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, and that did not pay a renewal fee during that time, will not have to pay an additional fee to become an active licensee again.

This benefit should be automatically applied for those businesses renewing their license until March 2022. What if you already paid your liquor license fee? Contact the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.