INSTRUCTIONS FOR GOVERNMENTAL LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION
CLICK FOR APPLICATION PACKET
The non-refundable application fee of $200.00, and if applicable, the $50.00 Resident Agent Fee and $100.00 Sunday Sale by the Drink Fee, if applicable, must be enclosed. Keep a copy for your records.
Checklist, use to assist you in submitting all the required documentation; submit with application.
Appointment of Representative – If Applicant is represented by an attorney, broker, CPA, etc., include a signed/dated letter, which authorizes ABC to disclose information and allows the appointee to speak/act on behalf of applicant.
Application Pages 1, 5, and 6 must be signed by authorized person and notarized .
Note that all supporting documentation submitted must be in the name of the APPLICANT. The required documentation such as Tax Registration Certificate, Proof of Tenancy (Lease/Deed), Bills of Sale, etc., must be in the name of that entity.
Fingerprints <Obtain fingerprint packet from agd website for instructions and forms: Because the Liquor Control Act does not allow for a Convicted Felon to own or be an officer on a Liquor License, this Agency requires such persons to be fingerprinted to receive the background reports from the State and Federal level.
Fingerprints are required for the Applicant and each Principal Officer/Director/Resident Agent listed, only if they have never submitted fingerprints to this agency before, or if there has been an arrest record after date fingerprints were submitted, they’ll need to register with GEMALTO. CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
Page 1 – Application
Tax Registration Certificate – A copy of the New Mexico Tax Registration Certificate (CRS Identification Number) in the name of the Applicant (sole proprietor, Corporation, LLC etc.) issued by the New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department. Applicants may obtain this documentation at any field office, call (505) 827-0700, or online.
Licensing Fee – $1,300.00, which will only be accepted at Final Review, applicant will be notified when to submit this.
Licensing Year: March 1st through February 28th Renewal Applications Due by: December 1st
Page 2 – Premises, Location and Description
Proof of Tenancy (Lease, Warranty Deed or Real Estate Contract) – A complete copy of the fully executed Lease Agreement, Warranty Deed or Real Estate Contract, for the premise in the name of the Applicant.
- The Lease Agreement must be signed by both parties (Lessor and Lessee). All Exhibits, Addendums to Lease Agreement, Amendments to Lease Agreement, or Subleases must accompany the Lease Agreement.
- If Lease Agreement does not address Permitted Use of the sale, service and/or manufacturing of alcohol on the premises, you must submit an Addendum permitting this use.
- The Warranty Deed must be a filed and recorded copy.
Zoning Statement – A copy of the Zoning Statement for the proposed premises, must be current/within one year of application date, issued by the Local Governing Body, on official letterhead. Contact your city or county clerk for contact information for the zoning office in your area. The Zoning Statement must include each of the following:
- The complete physical address of the proposed establishment.
- Zoning type (example: C-1, Commercial).
- A Statement regarding Permitted Use for the type of liquor license being applied for – need permission for Manufacturing, Production, Storage and Selling alcoholic beverages. (example: On-premises consumption of alcohol is a permitted use within this zone; with or without Patio Service permitted; Manufacturing permitted use; Sale of packaged alcohol for off-premises consumption permitted use).
Detailed Floor Plan with Photos – A Floor Plan for the proposed premises, showing the entrances/exits, kitchen, storage, sale, service, and consumption areas. All areas must be completely labeled. Submit legible Plan, that may be hand-drawn or architect drawing, on an 8½ x 11” sheet of paper for each floor. Please DO NOT submit blueprints. Drawing must indicate:
- Name of Applicant, Physical Address and clearly mark which direction is North.
- Location of the main street in relation to the licensed premises.
- Label Floor Plan, and show Storage areas; Layout must show the entrances, exits, and storage areas.
- List Total Square Footage, including Patio, if applicable (example: 2,500 square feet or 2,000 +500 patio =2,500).
- Show any and all Patios and/or Outside Areas, indicate how they are permanently enclosed to prevent alcohol from leaving the premises. Label the type of enclosure used and the height, include photos. (example: 6 foot adobe wall with 5 foot wood gate).
Photos – include Interior of premises, storage of alcohol, and Exterior /patio and fencing, if applicable.
Only if proposed premises is between 300 and 400 feet of the nearest church or school, you will need:
Surveyor’s Certificate – A certified copy of the Surveyor’s Certificate (Plat), showing the measurement from the nearest point of the proposed premises to the nearest point of the church or school property line. All measurements should be taken by shortest direct line.
or,
Waiver – A copy of the approved Waiver from the Local Governing Body, on official letterhead.
Opinion Letter – Obtain a Letter, on official letterhead, from the Church or School in question, indicating whether or not they object to the application and/or issuance of a liquor license at the proposed location.
ENTITY PAGE 3 - Required
Full disclosure totaling 100% is required. Each individual, Official, Principal Officer, Director, Member, Manager, applying for license must complete the Personal Data Affidavit form. Each individual, Official, Principal Officer, Director, Member, or Manager that run operations, on-site Managers, Managing Members and Resident Agents must obtain and/or maintain a valid Alcohol Server Certification Permit and submit Fingerprints.
PAGE 5 - DESIGNATED RESIDENT AGENT:
An Applicant who is not a sole proprietor is required to submit information regarding a New Mexico resident, who is not a felon, to act on behalf of the company and accept service of process for all purposes relating to the sales and service of the alcoholic beverages, including orders and notices of the Director and/or the Division.
The Resident Agent form must be completed, signed, and notarized in two places.
First Section – the Appointment section, is to be completed and signed by an officer, director or a shareholder, holding a 10% interest or more, who has been fingerprint qualified. This signature must be notarized. In this section, the applicant will list the name of the chosen Resident Agent.
Second Section – the Acceptance section, must be completed and signed by the individual who has been designated as the Resident Agent by the Applicant. The signature of the Resident Agent must also be notarized.
The individual designated as Resident Agent must complete a Personal Data Affidavit Form. Note: All entities must file a new application for Resident Agent each time there is a change in agents.
Each Resident Agent MUST BE: Fingerprinted; Hold a current Servers Certification Permit, attach a copy to application; an individual, at least 21 years of age, and at time of application; A Resident of the State of New Mexico and remain a resident of New Mexico; Cannot have been convicted of a felony or of two misdemeanor violations of the Liquor Control Act in any calendar year.
PAGE 6 – PERSONAL DATA AFFIDAVIT:
Submit this page for each individual applicant, each Principal Officer and Director of a Corporation, each Stockholder (individual) owning 10% or more of the stock in Applicant Corporation, each individual Limited or General Partner, and each Resident Agent for a Corporation, and each Manager and Member of LLC with 10% or more interest.
NOTE: Each Official, Board Member, Commissioner, Officer and Director of the Entity must submit a Personal Data Affidavit Form (page 6) and note that a copy is only valid for up to 5 years then a new PDA must be submitted. All Managing Members and Directors directly involved with the management and/or daily operations involving alcohol license must submit Fingerprints and also be Server Certified.
As part of the application, EACH individual, Principal Officer, Director, and Shareholder who owns a 10% interest or more, applying for license must complete the Personal Data Affidavit Form.
All Owners, on-site Managers and Resident Agents must obtain or maintain a valid Alcohol Server Certification Permit.
Everyone who sells or serves alcohol in the state of New Mexico is required to obtain a permit by taking a New Mexico approved Alcohol Server Education class. This includes all Bartenders, Waiters, Managers, Liquor License Owners, Convenience or Grocery Store Clerks, and the Designated Resident Agent for the License.
PAGE 7 – SUNDAY SALES:
Sunday Sales by the drink are only permitted in those local option districts in which Sunday Sales have been approved by the voter.
Sunday Sales by the Drink Fee: $100.00
Please Note: The Director may require additional information or supporting documentation to complete the application.
Helpful List of some of the applicable New Mexico State Laws for Governmental Licenses:
NMSA §60-6A-10. Governmental license.
A. A governmental entity may sell alcoholic beverages directly or through its lessee at a governmental facility if the governing body applies to the director for a governmental license. The governmental entity and its lessee shall be subject to all state laws and regulations governing dispensers.
B. A governmental license may be leased to a qualified lessee and may only be used by the lessee for its operation during events authorized by the governmental entity at the governmental facility designated on the governmental license. The governmental entity and its lessee shall not sell alcoholic beverages for consumption off the licensed premises. On the licensed premises of a municipal baseball park, the sale or service of alcoholic beverages in unbroken packages is allowed. Alcoholic beverages shall not be removed from the licensed premises of a municipal baseball park. A server as defined in Section 60-6E-3 NMSA 1978 is not required to be present in a skybox to serve alcoholic beverages to the person leasing the skybox or the person's guests.
C. A governmental entity holding a governmental license shall annually and not less than sixty days prior to the date for renewal of its license submit to the director documentary proof that its lessee is fully qualified to be a lessee of a governmental license. If the director finds that the lessee is qualified to lease a governmental license, the director shall renew the license for an additional period of one year. If the director determines that the proof is inadequate, the director shall notify the governing body of the decision and shall conduct a hearing as provided by law. If the director finds that the lessee does not qualify and the governmental entity does not change its lessee, the director shall revoke the license.
D. The provisions of Section 60-6A-18 NMSA 1978 shall not apply to governmental licenses.
E. For the purposes of this section:
(1) "governmental entity" means a municipality, a county, a state fair that is held for less than ten days per year, the state fair commission, a state museum or a state university;
(2) "governmental facility" means locations on property owned or operated by a governmental entity, including county fairs; state fairs held for less than ten days per year; convention centers; airports; civic centers; food service facilities in state museums; auditoriums; all facilities on the New Mexico state fairgrounds; facilities used for athletic competitions; golf courses, including golf courses required to be used for municipal purposes notwithstanding that there may be an existing club license at the same location operated by the same club licensee; and other facilities used for cultural or artistic performances, but "governmental facility" does not include tennis facilities;
(3) "lessee" means an individual, corporation, partnership, firm or association that fulfills the requirements set forth in Subsections A through D of Section 60-6B-2 NMSA 1978;
(4) "municipal baseball park" means a governmental facility owned by a governmental entity in a class A county having a population of three hundred fifty thousand or more pursuant to the most recent federal decennial census that is the home stadium of an affiliate of a professional baseball team and that may be used throughout the year for baseball games and other events; and
(5) "skybox" means a room or area of seating of a municipal baseball park, separated from the general seating and usually located in the upper decks of the park, leased to a person for that person's exclusive use during baseball games and at any other time throughout the year.
F. The provisions of Section 60-6B-10 NMSA 1978, with respect to golf courses owned by a governmental entity and civic centers owned and operated by a governmental entity, shall not apply to governmental licenses.
60-7A-1. Hours and days of business; Sunday sales; Christmas day sales; Sunday sales for consumption off the licensed premises; elections.
A. Provided that nothing in this section shall prohibit the consumption at any time of alcoholic beverages in guest rooms of hotels, alcoholic beverages shall be sold, served and consumed on licensed premises only during the following hours and days:
(1) on Mondays from 7:00 a.m. until midnight;
(2) on Tuesdays through Saturdays from after midnight of the previous day until 2:00 a.m., then from 7:00 a.m. until midnight, except as provided in Subsections D and F of this section; and
(3) on Sundays only after midnight of the previous day until 2:00 a.m., except as provided in Subsections C and E of this section and Section 60-7A-2 NMSA 1978.
B. Alcoholic beverages shall be sold by a dispenser or a retailer in unbroken packages, for consumption off the licensed premises and not for resale, on Mondays through Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. until midnight, except as provided in Subsections D and F of this section.
C. A dispenser, restaurant licensee or club may, upon payment of an additional fee of one hundred dollars ($100), obtain a permit to sell, serve or permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages by the drink on the licensed premises on Sundays, subject to approval obtained pursuant to the process set forth in Subsection E of this section. Alcoholic beverages may be sold, served and consumed from 11:00 a.m. until midnight as set forth in the licensee's Sunday sales permit, except as otherwise provided for a restaurant licensee in Section 60-6A-4 NMSA 1978. The Sunday sales permit shall expire on June 30 of each year and may be renewed from year to year upon application for renewal and payment of the required fee. The permit fee shall not be prorated. Sales made pursuant to this subsection or Subsection G of this section shall be called "Sunday sales".
D. Retailers, dispensers, canopy licensees that were replaced by dispenser's licensees pursuant to Section 60-6B-16 NMSA 1978, restaurant licensees, club licensees and governmental licensees or their lessees shall not sell, serve, deliver or allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises from 2:00 a.m. on Christmas day until 7:00 a.m. on the day after Christmas, except as permitted pursuant to Subsection F of this section.
E. Sunday sales pursuant to the provisions of Subsection C of this section are permitted in a local option district that voted to permit them. If in that election a majority of the voters in a local option district voted "no" on the question "Shall Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages by the drink for consumption on the licensed premises of licensees be allowed in this local option district?", Sunday sales are unlawful in that local option district upon certification of the election returns unless the provisions of Subsection J of this section apply. The question shall not again be placed on the ballot in that local option district until:
(1) at least one year has passed; and
(2) a petition is filed with the local governing body bearing the signatures of registered qualified electors of the local option district equal in number to ten percent of the number of votes cast and counted in the local option district for governor in the last preceding general election in which a governor was elected. The signatures on the petition shall be verified by the clerk of the county in which the local option district is situated.
F. On and after July 1, 2002, dispensers, canopy licensees that were replaced by dispenser's licensees pursuant to Section 60-6B-16 NMSA 1978, restaurant licensees, club licensees and governmental licensees or lessees of these licensees; provided that the licensees have current, valid food service establishment permits, may sell, serve or allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages by the drink on licensed premises from noon until 10:00 p.m. on Christmas day, except in a local option district in which, pursuant to petition and election under this subsection, a majority of the voters voting on the question votes against continuing such sales or consumption on Christmas day. An election shall be held on the question of whether to continue to allow the sale, service or consumption of alcoholic beverages by the drink on licensed premises from noon until 10:00 p.m. on Christmas day in a local option district, if a petition requesting the governing body of that district to call the election is signed by at least ten percent of the registered voters of the district and is filed with the clerk of the governing body of the district. Upon verification by the clerk that the petition contains the required number of signatures of registered voters, the governing body shall adopt a resolution calling an election on the question of allowing the sale, service or consumption of alcoholic beverages by the drink on licensed premises from noon until 10:00 p.m. on Christmas day. The election shall be held within sixty days after the date the petition is verified, or it may be held in conjunction with a regular election of the governing body if that election occurs within sixty days of such verification. The election shall be called, conducted, counted and canvassed in substantially the same manner as provided for general elections in the county under the Election Code [Chapter 1 NMSA 1978] or for special municipal elections in a municipality under the Municipal Election Code [Chapter 3, Articles 8 and 9 NMSA 1978]. If a majority of the voters voting on the question votes against continuing the sale, service or consumption of alcoholic beverages by the drink on licensed premises from noon until 10:00 p.m. on Christmas day, then such sales and consumption shall be prohibited. If a majority of the voters voting on the question votes to allow continued sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages by the drink on licensed premises from noon until 10:00 p.m. on Christmas day, then such sales and consumption shall be allowed to continue. The question then shall not be submitted again to the voters within two years of the date of the last election on the question.
G. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection E of this section, any Indian nation, tribe or pueblo whose lands are wholly situated within the state that has, by statute, ordinance or resolution, elected to permit the sale, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages on lands within the territorial boundaries of the Indian nation, tribe or pueblo may, by statute, ordinance or resolution of the governing body of the Indian nation, tribe or pueblo, permit Sunday sales by the drink on the licensed premises of licensees on lands within the territorial boundaries of the Indian nation, tribe or pueblo; provided that a certified copy of such enactment is filed with the office of the director and with the secretary of state.
H. Subject to the provisions of Subsection I of this section, a dispenser or retailer, upon payment of an additional fee of one hundred dollars ($100), may obtain a permit to sell alcoholic beverages in unbroken packages for consumption off the licensed premises on Sundays from noon until midnight, and in those years when December 31 falls on a Sunday, from noon on December 31 until 2:00 a.m. of the following day. The permit shall expire on June 30 of each year and may be renewed from year to year upon application for renewal and payment of the required fee. The permit fee shall not be prorated. Sales made pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall be called "Sunday package sales".
I. If a petition requesting the governing body of a local option district to call an election on the question of continuing to allow sales of alcoholic beverages in unbroken packages for consumption off the licensed premises on Sundays is filed with the clerk of the governing body and that petition is signed by at least ten percent of the number of registered voters of the local option district and the clerk of the governing body verifies the petition signatures, the governing body shall adopt a resolution calling an election on the question. The election shall be held within sixty days of the date that the petition is verified, or it may be held in conjunction with a regular election of the governing body, if the regular election occurs within sixty days of the petition verification. The election shall be called, conducted, counted and canvassed substantially in the manner provided by law for general elections within a county or for special municipal elections within a municipality. If a majority of the voters of the local option district voting in the election votes to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in unbroken packages for consumption off the licensed premises, then those sales shall continue to be allowed. If a majority of the voters of the local option district voting in the election votes not to allow the Sunday package sales, then those Sunday package sales shall be prohibited commencing the first Sunday after the results of the election are certified. Following the election, the question of allowing the Sunday package sales shall not be submitted again to the voters within two years of the date of the last election on the question.
J. Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages shall be permitted at resorts and at horse racetracks statewide pursuant to the provisions of Section 60-7A-2 NMSA 1978.
60-7A-12. Offenses by dispensers, canopy licensees, restaurant licensees, governmental licensees or their lessees and clubs.
It is a violation of the Liquor Control Act for any dispenser, canopy licensee, restaurant licensee, governmental licensee or its lessee or club to:
A. receive any alcoholic beverages for the purpose or with the intent of reselling the alcoholic beverages from any person unless the person is duly licensed to sell alcoholic beverages to dispensers for resale;
B. sell; possess for the purpose of sale; or bottle bulk wine for sale other than by the drink for immediate consumption on its licensed premises;
C. directly, indirectly or through subterfuge, own, operate or control any interest in a wholesale liquor establishment or liquor manufacturing or wine bottling firm; provided that this section shall not prevent:
(1) a dispenser from owning an interest in a legal entity, directly or indirectly or through an affiliate, that wholesales alcoholic beverages and that operates or controls an interest in an establishment operating pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B of Section 60-7A-10 NMSA 1978; or
(2) a small brewer or winegrower licensed pursuant to the Domestic Winery, Small Brewery and Craft Distillery Act from holding an interest in a legal entity, directly or indirectly or through an affiliate, that holds a restaurant or a dispenser's license and a small brewer and winegrower limited wholesaler's license issued pursuant to the Liquor Control Act;
D. sell or possess for the purpose of sale any alcoholic beverages at any location or place except its licensed premises or the location permitted pursuant to the provisions of Section 60-6A-12 NMSA 1978;
E. employ or engage a person to sell, serve or dispense alcoholic beverages if the person has not received alcohol server training within thirty days of employment; or
F. employ or engage a person to sell, serve or dispense alcoholic beverages during a period when the server permit of that person is suspended or revoked.
60-8A-3. Invoices.
Whenever a New Mexico wholesaler delivers any item of alcoholic beverages to a New Mexico retailer, dispenser, canopy licensee, restaurant licensee, club licensee or governmental licensee or its lessee, the delivery shall be accompanied by an invoice which accurately and clearly shows the date of the sale and the quantity of each item of merchandise delivered. The retailer, dispenser, canopy licensee, restaurant licensee, club licensee or governmental licensee or its lessee receiving the alcoholic beverages shall retain the invoice for a period of two years. The invoices shall be open for inspection and examination by any employee of the department or the taxation and revenue department during all usual business hours.