Alcohol Catering & Special Events Applications
A special event is any organized activity having as its purpose entertainment that takes place on public or private property. For example, special events include, but are not limited to grand opening celebrations, festivals, concerts, holiday celebrations, and block parties. Catering and Special Event Permits have different rules, regulations, and application processes. See instructions below for each type of permit.
General Information:
- It is required that employees of caterers be at least twenty-one (21) years of age to distribute, sell, or otherwise dispense alcohol beverages.
- Caterers and special event permit holders may only dispense the alcohol beverages authorized by the permit.
- Submit the catering application at least five (5) days prior to the planned event.
- Submit the special event application at least twenty (20) days prior to the event.
- Should events be held on City or public property, one (1) Duluth Police Officer or other security personnel as approved by the City is required for every (300) patrons. This measure is to ensure that alcohol beverages are not removed from the premises.
- Provide evidence of general liability insurance in the amount of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) to cover the catering activities.
- The caterer, special event licensee, and employees are required to possess an Alcohol Handling Permit from the City of Duluth or Gwinnett County. Please see days and hours that permits are processed at City Hall.
- If selling liquor by the drink (does not apply to beer or wine), caterer or special event licensee is required to submit the Excise Tax Report and tax payment thirty (30) days following the event. Such report calculates the number of individual alcoholic beverages served. This requirement does not apply to special event non-profit organizations.
- Contact the Alcohol Officer at alcohol@duluthga.net or by phone at 770.476.3434 for assistance.
- Submit applications to City Hall, 3167 Main St, Duluth, Georgia 30096.
In the City of Duluth, alcohol caterers are classified as “resident” or “non-resident.” Resident caterers are eligible to obtain a catering license as part of their annual Alcohol Beverage licensing process to serve alcohol off-premises at authorized events. Non-resident caterers are always required to submit a non-resident alcohol catering application. Review the following information to determine which type of alcohol caterer the applicant is.
Resident Alcoholic Beverage Catering:
- A resident alcohol caterer is a business that possesses a valid Alcohol Beverage License from the City of Duluth and an annual alcohol catering license.
- A resident caterer may apply for an off-premises permit authorizing alcohol sales at an approved catered event or function. Caterer Application
- The permit is $15 per event.
- The resident caterer licensee or the employee representing the resident caterer is required to possess the following during the event:
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- a copy of the caterer’s valid State Alcoholic Beverage License,
- a valid City of Duluth Alcohol Catering License, and
- a valid Alcohol Beverage Catering Event Permit.
- A non-resident alcohol caterer is a business that does not possess a City of Duluth Alcohol Beverage License.
- A non-resident alcohol caterer is required to submit an application for an off-premises catering permit with the City of Duluth. Caterer Application
- The permit is $50.
- The non-resident caterer licensee or the employee representing the non-resident caterer is required to possess the following during the event:
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- a copy of the caterer’s valid State Alcoholic Beverage License,
- a valid Alcohol Catering License from your local jurisdiction*, and
- a valid Alcohol Beverage Catering Event Permit.
Once your application has been approved by the City of Duluth, you may pay online via this link, or remit cash, check, or use debit/credit in person. https://duluthga.governmentwindow.com/start.html. Choose “Alcohol Applications” and Catering Permit type and enter the appropriate fee.
Special Event Temporary Permit (For-Profit):
- A retail consumption dealer that is a City of Duluth Alcohol Beverage Licensee may apply for an on-premises Special Event Permit that authorizes the sale of alcohol beverages. For Profit Special Event Temporary Permit Application
- The special event temporary permit shall be valid only for the place specified on the permit.
- No more than six (6) such permits may be issued to the applicant organization in any one calendar year.
- Permit is $150 per event.
The Georgia Department of Revenue also requires an alcohol permit. Visit https://dor.georgia.gov/special-event-profit for additional details of the state's process. The GTC portal will also be used for special event licensing by the State: GTC portal
Special Event Temporary Permit (Non-Profit):
- Non-profit civic groups may apply for a three (3) day special event temporary permit permitting the sales of alcohol beverages for consumption on the premises or to sell wine at retail for off premises consumption. Non-Profit Special Event Temporary Permit Application
- The special event temporary permit shall be valid only for the place specified on the permit.
- No more than six (6) such permits may be issued to the applicant organization in any one calendar year.
- The non-profit agency is required to submit a Federal 501c(3) form.
- Permit is $15 per event.