Alcohol Beverage Licenses

The Bryan County Board of Commissioners adopted the current "Bryan County Alcohol Ordinance" on September 13, 2022, with a subsequent amendment (Ordinance No. 3-2024) on February 13, 2024

Any individual, partnership, corporation or entity which engages in the sale of alcohol in the unincorporated area of Bryan County must obtain an Alcohol Beverage License prior to engaging in these activities. The Community Development Department processes all new applications and annual renewals.

New Applications 

Alcohol License applications can be submitted on-line through the County's Licensing portal.  To start the submittal process, click on the link below.  If you have not already created an account, you will need to create an account before starting. 

Things to know before you begin:

• License Applicants - Applications can either be submitted as an Individual (sole proprietor) or under the name of a legal entity (partnership, limited liability company, domestic or foreign corporation, etc.) registered with the Office of the Secretary of State of Georgia.  If applying as a legal business entity, you will have to provide a copy of the corporate documents (charter, by-laws, operating agreement, etc.), including any amendments.  You will also be required to list the names of all members/officers/partners along with their title on the application.   

• Required Fees - A $150 non-refundable advertising fee and a $65 non-refundable investigation fee are required at submission of an application.  The annual license fee is also due at the time of application and is only refundable if the application is denied or withdrawn prior to its approval.  If applying on or before July 1st, then the applicant must pay the full annual license fee.   If applying after July 1st, then the applicant only pays one-half of the annual license fee. 

• Proof of Residency - Applicants for an Alcohol Beverage License for the sale of distilled spirits by the package must be a resident of Bryan County for at least one year prior to submitting the application, or they may appoint a local registered agent who meets this residency requirement.  Verification of residency for the applicant must be certified by the Judge of the Probate Court of Bryan County, Georgia.  Contact information for the Bryan County Probate Court and Judge can be found on their website at:  https://www.bryancountyga.org/government/courts/probate-court

• Local Registered Agent - All licensed establishments must have and continuously maintain in Bryan County, a registered agent upon whom any process, notice, or demand required or permitted by law or under the Bryan County Alcohol Ordinance may be served. This person must be an individual and must be a resident of Bryan County, Georgia. Written consent of the registered agent must be provided by completing the Local Registered Agent Consent Form. 

• Personal History - All applicants, to include listed members/officers/partners of a business, are required to complete a Personal Statement of Facts,

• Criminal History Consent - All applicants, to include listed members/officers/partners of a business, are required to consent to fingerprinting and a background check.  All required Criminal History Consent Forms must be completed and submitted with your application prior to being sent for fingerprinting. 

• Citizenship/Immigration Status – All applicants, to include listed members/officers/partners of a business, are required to verify citizenship or immigration status by completing the Affidavit Verifying Citizenship Status form.  These forms must be accompanied by at least one secure and verifiable document, as required by O.C.G.A. Section 50-36-1(e)(1).  For a current list of secure and verifiable documents, visit the Georgia Attorney General's website at: https://law.georgia.gov/resources/immigration-reports

If you are a noncitizen or a naturalized or derived citizen, then your immigration status will be checked using the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program.  To learn more about SAVE, visit www.uscis.gov/SAVE.

• Property Survey - All new applications must include a property survey (dated no more than 180 days prior to submission of the application) that is certified by a Georgia registered surveyor and shows a scaled drawing of the premises, the location on the premises where the applicant desires to operate an alcoholic beverage outlet, and the distance in yards to any church, school, child-care center or government-owned treatment center.  This requirement may be waived depending on the property's location. 

• State License - In addition to a local county license, a state license must be obtained through the Georgia Department of Revenue.  For questions regarding state licensing, visit the State of Georgia Department of Revenue website.

• Board of Commissioners Approval - All new Alcohol Beverage License applications are subject to a Public Hearing to be held by the Board of Commissioners.  The Board of Commissioners meet on the second Tuesday of the month.  To be included on an agenda, we must have a COMPLETE application packet, including the results of the background check, no later than the deadlines identified below. These dates are TENTATIVE and subject to change.

• Alcohol Monthly Excise Tax - Retailers selling liquor-by-the-drink to the public for on premise consumption are required to collect and remit excise taxes, at the rate of 3%, to the County on or before the 10th day of the month following its collection.  When paid on or before the 20th of the month, the licensee may be eligible for a deduction as authorized under O.C.G.A. § 48-8-50.  Failure to pay by the 20th will result in the loss of the eligible deduction and the licensee will be charged a 10% penalty.  

Payment of the monthly excise tax should be mailed to the Bryan County Finance Department at P.O. Box 430, Pembroke, Ga 31321, along with a summary of the licensee's gross sales derived from the sale of distilled spirits by the drink.  

Still have questions?  Contact or visit one of our two locations.