Special One-Day Liquor License
Special One-Day Liquor License
Massachusett's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) allows for permits that authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages to the public at special events. Of these five types of Special Event Permits and Licenses, Special One-Day Licenses are issued by the Local Licensing Authority (LLA), which in Stow is the Select Board.
The Select Board may issue One-Day Licenses for the sale of wines and/or malt beverages to any enterprise however, special licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages may be issued to non-profit organizations only. Special licensees CANNOT purchase alcoholic beverages from a package store; purchase must be made from an ABCC authorized source.
The Select Board cannot grant special licenses to:
- Any person for more than a total of 30 days per calendar year
- Any person that has an on premises license application pending before it
- Any premises that has an alcoholic beverages license
Do I Need a One-Day Liquor License?
A One-Day Liquor License is necessary whenever money is changing hands by the following:
- A direct sale of alcoholic beverages
- When tickets are sold to an event where alcoholic beverages will be consumed
- When a caterer is supplying alcohol on which they will make a profit (indirect sale)
- You must apply for a Special One-day License if you are renting any Town-owned facility (for example, Pompo Community Center)
For example:
- A fundraising event at a public facility where people buy tickets or make a donation to attend DOES require a Special One-day License, even if the money exchanged is not used directly to pay for alcohol.
A One-Day Liquor License is not required if:
- The event is at a private dwelling
- An event is in a facility or establishment that already holds a valid alcohol license
- The caterer holds a 12C Caterer’s License (unless the event is being held at a Town-owned facility)
If you have any questions about whether or not your event requires this license, please call 978-897-4515 or email selectboard@stow-ma.gov
Liquor License Rules and Regulations
- Special One-Day Liquor License Policy (adopted June 14, 2022)
- Special One-Day Liquor License Application (adopted June 14, 2022)
- Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission Authorized Sources (The current list can also be found on the ABCC website; scroll down to One-Day Permit section.)