The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) issues 125 types of licenses and permits for liquor manufacturing, retail, and service in New York State.
NEW Licenses, Alterations, and Changes
As required by the Laws of New York State, applicants for an On-Premises liquor license are required to notify their Community District Office AT LEAST 30 days (and no more than 270 days) prior to the SLA’s decision. This requirement allows local residents to review applications which may impact their quality of life.
These SLA application types are first reviewed by the Health, Environment & Social Services Committee, which then issues a Recommendation for vote by the full Board.
When a Community Board submits an opinion, either in favor of or against granting a license, this opinion becomes part of the record used by the Authority in deciding whether to approve the application.
Community Boards may also work with licensees to place stipulations on a license regarding methods of operation. If accepted by the SLA, these stipulations become binding conditions of the license, with disciplinary action for failure to comply.
Download instructions for BKCB2 review here, including this Board’s criteria for a Waiver of Public Review.
Withdrawal of Application – NY State law mandates a 30-day window reserved for local municipal review. An applicant may occasionally need more time to assemble application materials, or may have business or logistical reasons for delaying licensure. If you wish to withdraw your submitted notice and resubmit for a later public review date, you must submit a new 30-Day Municipal Notice Form with “today’s date” in order to reset the 30-day clock. If an updated notice is not received, the Board will proceed per above.
RENEWALS or Removals of Licenses
SLA licensees are also required to notify their Community District Office AT LEAST 30 days (and no more than 270 days) prior to the license expiration date. Notices of renewals are processed on a rolling basis by the District Office following a minimum 21-day public notice period to accommodate local comment and feedback.
Submit a completed SLA Municipal Notice form to [email protected]
Per the SLA’s Renewal instructions: “Nearly all renewal applications that are complete and sent to the Authority before the expiration date are renewed. Unsubstantiated allegations of misconduct or violations that could lead to the termination of a liquor license are a function of the Authority’s disciplinary process.”
Resident comments submitted to the District Office during the previous two-year license period are tracked and noted if a substantial pattern of residential complaints or quality of life issues is evident.
Remedy of Resident Complaints
The Liquor Authority Mapping Project (LAMP) provides public records of all SLA licensees, including Legal Name, DBA, License #, Expiration, and Community Board Stipulations.
The SLA Enforcement Bureau investigates violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Law. Per their protocols: in the absence of documented violations or complaints, licensees are assumed to be in good standing, and single-source quality of life complaints are generally insufficient to warrant action. However, if a pattern of unresolved community concerns exists, the Community Board may request adjustments to the operator’s license and/or operations.
Members of the public who have complaints about an operator should first review NYC laws, then contact the business neighbor directly to request specific changes. Please copy the District Office on correspondence: [email protected]
If further action is required, the District Office will assist with mediation. Residents may also file complaints with the SLA, and/or file complaints with the City.