Do I need a liquor license?

Yes: You do need a liquor license if you are going to: Sell or provide liquor for consumption on- or off- premises, OR sell beer or wine for consumption on- or off- premises, OR Charge an admission fee to attend an event where you give away beer or wine for on-premises consumption.

No: You do not need a liquor license if you are not going to charge an admission fee to attend an event where you give away beer or wine for on-premises consumption.

How do I fill out the online application with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (Iowa Division)

While most of the information on the online application is self-explanatory, it can be a little more confusing if you are hosting an event at which you will be providing or selling liquor. Below are some guidelines to follow for certain portions of the application. This will ensure you don’t have to make any changes on a follow up.

How do I fill in the information on the Applicant Screen?

  • Name of applicant: Fill in your name
  • Name of Business (DBA): If for a wedding reception, fill in your last name and Wedding (e.g. Jones Wedding, or Jones & Smith Wedding); if for other event, fill in the event name.
  • Address of Premises: Enter address where selling/serving alcohol.
    • If at the Celebration Farm fill in: 4696 Robin Woods Lane NE, Iowa City, IA 52245
    • If at the Celebration Barn fill in: 4045 245th Street NE, Solon, IA 52333
    • If at Johnson County Fairgrounds fill in: 4275 Oak Crest Hill Road SE, Iowa City, IA 52246
    • If at other location, fill in the address where selling/serving alcohol.
  • City: Premises city
  • County: Johnson
  • Zip: Premises zip code
  • Business phone number: Your phone number
  • Mailing address: Your mailing address
How do I fill in the Status of Business screen?

The applicants of private events usually select sole proprietorship, and they are also listed as the owner on the Ownership screen. If in doubt, contact the Iowa ABD for information on how to fill out this screen.

How do I fill in the information on the Ownership screen?

The owner must be a resident of the state of Iowa. The owner will include relevant information. If more than one owner, indicate the percentage of ownership. The name of the applicant entered on the Applicant screen must match one of the business owners. Where it asks for position enter "Owner", even if you are an individual applying for a license at a special event.

How do I fill in the information on the Criminal History screen?

If you have ever been charged, arrested, indicted, convicted, or received a deferred judgement, check "yes" no matter how far in the past the incident occurred, and provide an explanation. The Iowa ABD conducts background checks to verify this information.

How do I fill in the information on the Premises information screen?

  • Control of Premises: For most special events, the applicant will check "Other" and explain: "renting the premises for a one-time special event".
  • Premises type: Special event
  • Local authority: County
  • License City: Whichever city the premises lists on its mailing address
  • License County: Johnson
  • Dram Shop: Fill in the name of the insurance company

What if I am going to sell or serve alcohol at a special event in rural Johnson County?

Step 1: If the event is not located on property zoned for commercial use, immediately contact the Johnson County Planning, Development, and Sustainability (PDS) Department to determine if you will need a conditional use permit for the event. PDS staff can be reached at 319-356-6083, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If required, complete a conditional use permit application as soon as possible.

Step 2: Start your application with the Iowa ABD at least 45 days before the license effective date. (ABD links are available at the bottom of this page.)

  • If you currently own a business within Johnson County, and would like to transfer services for the day, follow instructions in the ABD's Electronic Licensing User Guide or contact the Auditor's Office.
  • If you currently own a business in the State, and would like to serve in the County's jurisdiction while continuing to serve at your current location, you must apply for a new 5-day temporary license.

Step 3: Start the Local Authority Process at least 30 days before the license effective date by submitting the below items to the Johnson County Auditor's Office:

  1. A black and white drawing of the licensed premises on 8.5 x 11” paper to the Auditor’s Office.  The drawing must include the premise address, cardinal directions, location of interior and, if applicable, exterior/outdoor selling and serving area(s) within the boundaries of the licensed premises, restrooms, entrances and exits, measurements of the licensed premises and distances between selling and serving areas.
  2. A copy of either:
    1. The Warranty Deed, lease document, or rental agreement for the property to be covered by the license (this document must specify the address) or
    2. A document signed by the contracting party stating that you have been retained to provide alcohol beverage services for an event at that premises, (the document must specify the event premises address).
  3. The Report Accompanying Application form
  4. The original notarized signature form of the applicant

You will receive an email with the report accompanying application form and the original notarized signature form from the Auditor's Office shortly after you submit your application to abd.

Once the license is endorsed and activated, the Iowa ABD will email the license to you.

Iowa ABD links:

Information from the ABD on how to get a license is available at their website here.

Information from the ABD on the different license classifications is available at their website here.

Information on the license fee schedule is available here on the ABD's website.