If you are planning to operate a distillery, you must research laws and regulations in a specific location. This is because different states will have varying laws surrounding the sale and consumption of liquor.

If you break these laws, you may be given large fines. In serious cases, you may even be punished with jail time.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the liquor laws and regulations in Washington, including state fees, licensing requirements, and distillery restrictions.

Washington Liquor Laws And Regulations

State Licensing Fees

The truth is that state licensing fees in Washington will vary. It usually costs between $100 and $400 to obtain a liquor license in this state. You will usually be charged $75 as a processing fee.

In this state, a liquor license is a form of business license that can be approved by the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR). Even if a company already possesses a business license, it will have to re-submit a business license application if they want to sell alcohol.

In Washington, it usually costs $50 to apply for a business license, with an additional annual fee of $5 for renewal.

Licensing Requirements

If you wish to sell alcohol in the state of Washington, you must possess a valid license.

All servers in Washington must possess a valid MAST Permit (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training). This is a three-hour long course that usually costs $21.95. This guide aims to ensure that alcohol sellers in Washington are responsible.e3w

The MAST course will teach invaluable skills, such as recognizing intoxicated individuals. These permits will expire after five years and will not be renewed. As a result, bar and distillery employees will need to retake the course to obtain this essential permit.

There are two different types of permits that you can obtain in this state. The first is the class 12 mixologist permit. Suitable only for people over the age of twenty-one, this permit allows individuals to mix alcohol.

Another permit that can be obtained in Washington is the class 13 servers permit. Open to people over the age of eighteen, this permit allows holders to take orders and sell alcoholic drinks. Once the individual has turned twenty-one, they can upgrade their permit.

The structure of the MAST test is designed to give students an understanding of Washington state law. Moreover, it has been devised to highlight the negative effects of alcohol on society and individuals, specifically the impact of overconsumption.

To gain a MAST permit, you must pass the exam at the conclusion of the course. To obtain a passing grade, students must achieve at least 80% on the exam. This exam has no time limit, though students must finish it within one session.

Upon passing the exam, the student will be emailed a Certificate of Completion. In addition, they will be sent a MAST permit via mail.

Distillery Restrictions

Washington is home to a large number of distilleries. Here, you can obtain a distiller’s license and a micro-distillery license. In Washington, it is against the law to distill spirits if you do not possess a valid license.

The fee for these licenses will vary depending on the type of distillery. For instance, a craft distillery license can be obtained for $100 per year. However, this permit is only available to businesses that produce less than 20,000 gallons of produce every year.

Drinking And Driving

As you can imagine, it is a violation to drive under the influence (DUI) of alcohol in Washington. Driving under the influence for the first time in this state is considered a gross misdemeanor.

As a consequence, it is punishable by jail time, fines, and license suspension. More serious punishments will be applied to drivers who have committed multiple offenses.

The state has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08. Drivers over this level can be charged with DUI.

To prevent this from happening, suppliers need to be responsible when selling alcohol. Namely, they should sell alcohol responsibly. In Washington, alcohol should not be sold to customers who appear to be intoxicated.

Operating Hours

Alcohol can be sold seven days a week in Washington. However, it can only be served or sold between the hours of 6 am and 2 am. As a result, bars and other alcohol-selling establishments will need to take this into account when devising their opening times.

Businesses that work outside of these operating hours without permission will be fined $500 and their license will be suspended for up to five days. In some cases, the license may be canceled, meaning that these businesses are unable to sell liquor until they re-obtain a license.

Age Laws

In Washington, you must be over the age of twenty-one to consume or possess alcoholic beverages. It is a criminal offense to use a fake ID to purchase alcohol in this state. If caught, a customer will be charged a minimum of $250 and may have to spend time in jail.

If an establishment is caught selling alcohol to an underage individual, they will be given a hefty fine. This is because selling alcohol to a minor is classified as a gross misdemeanor. If caught, a business may have to pay $5,000 to be sent to jail.

In liquor establishments located in the state, employees must be over the age of eighteen years. However, a supervisor must be present to watch over employees under the age of twenty-one. This supervisor must be older than twenty-one years of age.

Working in a bar can be a great employment opportunity for young people who want a part-time job. Between the ages of eighteen and twenty, employees can take orders for alcoholic drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Alcohol So Expensive In Washington?

The main reason why alcohol prices are much more expensive in Washington than in other states is that the liquor tax rates are higher than in other states. As a result, suppliers are forced to increase their prices.

Is Drinking In Public Illegal In Washington?

Drinking in public is considered a misdemeanor in Washington. The penalty for this crime will be to receive a fine.

How Can You Apply For A Liquor License In Washington?

You can submit an online application for a liquor license in Washington. When applying, it’s important to follow the guidelines as closely as possible.

Final Thoughts

Opening a distillery can be a profitable business idea. If you intend to open a distillery or another liquor-selling business in Washington, you must abide by the following laws and regulations. Companies that have failed to comply with these rules could face significant punishments, including large fines.