The Spotlight series is intended to provide helpful information about important licenses, permits, and registrations issued by the State of Florida. This installation is regarding the record-keeping requirements imposed on licensed alcoholic beverage vendors in Florida.

Please note that the firm recommends consulting with your lawyer or local ABT licensing office for a more detailed description of these obligations. You may find value in reviewing this blog’s previous article on the state inspection process as well.

According the the Division, records should be stored for a period 3 years at the licensed place of business. Generally, those records should indicate all alcoholic beverages manufactured, received, sold, or delivered. Each vendor shall keep records of all purchases and other acquisitions of alcoholic beverages for a period of 3 years.

However, there are some specific requirements related to certain types of licensees. For instance, Florida law provides that a quota liquor license may be revoked or suspended for a “[f]ailure to maintain records of all monthly sales and all monthly purchases of alcoholic beverages and to produce such records for inspection by any division employee within 10 days of written request therefor.” In addition, note that certain business records are required to calculate the appropriate transfer fee for quota licenses.

Per section 561.20 of the Florida Statutes, a 13CT catering licensee “must maintain for a period of 3 years all records and receipts for each catered event, including all contracts, customers’ names, event locations, event dates, food purchases and sales, alcoholic beverage purchases and sales, nonalcoholic beverage purchases and sales, and any other records required by the department by rule to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this subparagraph.

Per section 561.20 of the Florida Statutes, culinary education programs must maintain for a period of 3 years all records required by the department by rule to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this sub-subparagraph.

Please note that this page is made available by the law firm for educational purposes only, and that it is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Visiting this page does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the firm.

Glover Law works with a diverse group of clients regulated by the Department of Business and Profession Regulation and other state agencies. Contact us for more information on the application process.