Alcoholic Beverage Permits
Notice
A new web form application will be available here beginning Oct. 1, and new Zoning Review fees for Alcoholic Beverage and BYOB permit applications will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2026.
The City of Austin provides Alcoholic Beverage Permits to local businesses. This page provides helpful information to assist you with determining if you need an Alcoholic Beverage Permit, which kind of permit, what the submission requirements are, and how to request more information.
Selling alcoholic beverages is prohibited at a place of business located within 300 feet of a church, public school, private school, or public hospital except as provided by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.
Selling alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption without a food and beverage certificate is prohibited at a place of business located within 300 feet of a daycare center or childcare facility, except as provided by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.
Alcohol-Related Business Definitions
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment engaged in the preparation and retail sale of food and beverages for on-premise consumption or in a ready-to-consume state. Restaurants are further classified as general or limited. Only a restaurant classified as general can serve alcoholic beverages. At least 51% of gross income must be derived from the sale of prepared food. Restaurant use is permitted in the LR, GR, CBD, DMU, CS-1, CH, LI, and MI districts.
Cocktail Lounge
A Cocktail Lounge is a business engaged in the preparation and retail sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. This category may include uses such as billiard parlors, dance halls, and live music venues if alcohol sales exceed 49% of gross revenue. A cocktail lounge is permitted in the CBD district, and conditional in the L, DMU, CS-1, AND CH districts.
Liquor Sales
A Liquor Sales is an establishment that engages in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises. Liquor sales use is permitted in the CBD, DMU, CS-1, and CH districts and conditional in the LI and MI districts.
Alcoholic Beverage Permit
An Alcoholic Beverage Permit is a permit issued by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Late-hours Permit
A Late-hours Permit is a permit issued by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission authorizing a restaurant or cocktail lounge to serve alcohol between midnight and 2 a.m.
- Alcoholic Beverage Permit Application
Alcoholic Beverage Permit Application Certification
- Alcoholic Beverage Waiver
About Alcoholic Beverage Waiver
How to Apply for an Alcoholic Beverage Waiver
Alcoholic Beverage Waiver Appointments and Contact - BYOB Permit
About BYOB Permits
How to Apply for a BYOB Permit
BYOB Permit Appointments and Contact
Alcoholic Beverage Permit Application Certification
Applicants for a permit or license from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) for a place of business located in the City of Austin are required to obtain certification from the City. The Austin City Clerk's Office provides certification by signing your TABC application after staff in Austin Development Services complete a zoning review to ensure alcohol sales comply with applicable provisions of the City Code.
How to Get Your Application Certified
Create an account and complete your application in the State of Texas Alcohol Industry Management System (AIMS). For more details on the licensing process, visit the State's TABC Licenses and Permits webpage.
If you have questions, contact TABC directly at 512-206-3333.
After you submit the AIMS application, call the Austin City Clerk's Office at 512-974-2210 to begin the City Clerk’s approval and signature process. You will receive a tracking number to follow your application through the City’s review process, including zoning approval.
To receive your tracking number, be prepared to provide:
Complete business address/location
Name of business (trade name)
Applicant/business name (LLC name)
First and last name of contact person
Contact phone number
Contact email address
Liquor license type (letter code)
Once you have your tracking number, submit it to Austin Development Services for zoning review through our web form. This step confirms that alcohol sales are permitted at your business location.
AB+C Portal - The applicant must have an AB+C Portal account to complete this process. If you do not have an AB+C account, please register for an AB+C Portal account here as a first-time user. If you need help, please call Austin 3-1-1 or refer to the AB+C Manual.
Use the Alcoholic Beverage Permits Web Form to submit your tracking number.
Alcoholic Beverage Permits Web Form
You may contact your reviewer by emailing DSDZoningSitePlan@austintexas.gov.
After you submit your tracking number, you will receive an invoice via email. The submission is not considered complete until the payment is submitted.
Intake staff verify that all required documentation is provided and will contact the applicant designated on the permit application if anything is missing. You can pay online in the AB+C Portal or visit the Bill Payment and Cashier Services webpage for other payment options.
After zoning approval, Austin Development Services will notify the Austin City Clerk’s Office, and the Clerk’s Office will inform you of your approval.
To obtain the City Clerk’s signature, choose one of the following options:
Email your application to city.clerk@austintexas.gov
Call 512-974-2210 to schedule an appointment (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - noon)
Mail your packet to:
Austin City Clerk's Office
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, TX 78767If mailing, include a postage-paid return envelope.
Alcoholic Beverage Waiver
Austin City Code prohibits selling alcoholic beverages at a place of business located within 300 feet of a church, public school, private school, or public hospital except as provided by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.
Austin City Code prohibits a permit or license holder under Chapters 25 (Wine and Beer Retailer's Permit), 28 (Mixed Beverage Permit), 32 (Private Club Registration Permit), 69 (Retail Dealer's On-Premise License), or 74 (Brewpub License) of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code who DOES NOT hold a food and beverage certificate, from selling alcoholic beverages at a place of business located within 300 feet of a day-care center or child-care facility except as provided by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.
The Austin City Council may waive the prohibition if, after notice and a public hearing, the council determines that enforcement of the prohibition in a particular instance:
- is not in the best interest of the public;
- constitutes waste or the inefficient use of land or other resources;
- creates an undue hardship on an applicant;
- does not serve its intended purpose;
- is not effective or necessary; or
- for any other reason the council, after considering the health, safety, and welfare of the public and the equities of the situation, determines is in the best interest of the community.
Required documents:
Tax Plats - Provide one copy of each of the current tax plats, showing all properties within 300 feet of the tract or limits of construction. Include all maps referenced within the 300 feet. Outline the tract or limits of construction in red.
Request Letter/Certificate of Occupancy Verification - Submit a letter requesting a waiver. Provide proof of a valid Certificate of Occupancy for the current
use.Site Plans - The plans must consist of a cover sheet and a site plan. The site plan must show the primary use, plus church, public school, public hospital, and day-care center or child-care facility, as applicable within 300 feet, plus the property address and legal description of both sites.
Written Consent - Written consent to a waiver request should be filed with this application for each church, public school, public hospital, day-care center, or child-care facility within 300 feet from the proposed place of business or an explanation as to why written consent was not provided.
Submit the Alcoholic Beverage Waiver Application and required documents using the Alcoholic Beverage Permits Web Form.
AB+C Portal - The applicant must have an AB+C Portal account to complete this process. If you do not have an AB+C account, please register for an AB+C Portal account here as a first-time user. If you need help, please call Austin 3-1-1 or refer to the AB+C Manual.
After you submit the application, you will receive an invoice via email. The application is not considered complete until you submit payment.
Intake staff verify that all required documentation is provided and will contact the applicant designated on the permit application if anything is missing. You can pay online in the AB+C Portal or visit the Bill Payment and Cashier Services webpage for other payment options.
Once you pay the invoiced plan review fees, the application review will begin.
Contact Us
For questions about Alcoholic Beverage Waivers or processes, please email DSDZoningSitePlan@austintexas.gov.
Appointments
Appointments are available to meet with the Land Use Assistance (LUAssist) team about Alcoholic Beverage Permits for local businesses.
Appointment Name | Description | Make an Appointment |
|---|---|---|
Alcoholic Beverages (20 min) | Ask questions about restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages, zoning review for TABC, BYOB Permits, and processing an Alcoholic Beverage Waiver application. |
BYOB Permit
What is BYOB?
When an establishment not licensed or permitted by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission allows its patrons to bring their own alcoholic beverages onto the premises for consumption. This practice is often referred to as "BYOB", an acronym for "bring your own bottle".
Who is required to have a BYOB Permit:
An establishment (except those uses listed below)* that:
- is not licensed or permitted by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission; and
- allows patrons to bring alcoholic beverages onto the premises for possession and consumption.
* Uses where a BYOB is NOT required:
- a residence;
- an establishment operated by a governmental entity;
- a private club, as defined by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code;
- a fraternal or veteran's organization, as defined by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code;
- a college and university use, as defined by Section 25-2-6 (Civic Uses Described);
- a religious assembly use, as defined by Section 25-2-6 (Civic Uses Described);
- a restaurant, general or limited, as defined by Section 25-2-4 (Commercial Uses Described);
- a theater use, as defined by Section 25-2-4 (Commercial Uses Described).
How to Apply for a BYOB Permit
Required documents:
BYOB Application (PDF)
Safety Plan and Diagram approved by the Austin Police Department
Submit the BYOB Application using the Alcoholic Beverage Permits Web Form.
AB+C Portal - The applicant must have an AB+C Portal account to complete this process. If you do not have an AB+C account, please register for an AB+C Portal account here as a first-time user. If you need help, please call Austin 3-1-1 or refer to the AB+C Manual.
After you submit the application, you will receive an invoice via email. Your application is not considered complete until you submit payment.
Intake staff verify that all required documentation is provided and will contact the applicant designated on the permit application if anything is missing. You can pay online in the AB+C Portal or visit the Bill Payment and Cashier Services webpage for other payment options.
Once you pay the invoiced plan review fees, the application review will begin.
Contact Us
For questions about BYOB permits, please email DSDZoningSitePlan@austintexas.gov.
Appointments
Appointments are available to meet with the Land Use Assistance (LUAssist) team about Alcoholic Beverage Permits for local businesses.
Appointment Name | Description | Make an Appointment |
|---|---|---|
Alcoholic Beverages (20 min) | Ask questions about restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages, zoning review for TABC, BYOB Permits, and processing an Alcoholic Beverage Waiver application. |