Retail License Types

Before obtaining a Michigan liquor license, it is necessary to decide which license fits your needs.
A downloadable list of the most common license types is available at the bottom of the page.

Manufacturing licenses (even those such as "brewpubs") are discussed in the Manufacturing License List.

On-Premise License Types
*Note: Local legislative approval is required for all on-premise licenses with the exception of
Club licenses and Special licenses (for use in a location other than a state military base)

License Type

Class C

Club

Continuing Care Retirement Center

A-Hotel

B-Hotel

Tavern

Special License

Class G-1

Class G-2

Motorsports Event

Airlines

Dining Cars

Watercraft

Description

Sale of beer, wine, and spirits to the general public

Sale of beer, wine, and spirits to bona fide members

Sale of beer, wine, and spirits to a resident or bona fide guest

Sale of beer and wine for consumption on the licensed premises and in the rooms of bona fide guests

Sale of beer, wine, and spirits for consumption on the licensed premises and in the rooms of bona fide guests

Sale of beer and wine for on-premise consumption

Permits sale of alcoholic beverages by a non-profit organization for a period of 24 hours

Permits an 18-hole golf course (measuring at least 5,000 yards), which permits member access through annual membership fees, to sell beer, wine, and spirits for consumption on the premises

Permits an 18-hole golf course (measuring at least 5,000 yards), which has member access through annual membership fees, to sell beer and wine for consumption on the premises

Permits the owner of a motorsports complex to sell beer and wine for on-premise consumption during a sanctioned event

Permits an airline licensed to carry passengers in the state to sell or transport alcoholic liquor

Permits the sale of alcoholic liquor in trains

Permits the sale of alcoholic liquor by a watercraft licensed to carry passengers in the state

Quota?

Yes

No

Total of 20 in MI

Yes

Yes

Yes

No. Max of 5 per year per organization

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

Fees

$600 per year

$300 per year, plus $1 for each member over 150. Max fee $750.

$600 per year

$250/year plus $1 for each bedroom over 20. Max of $500.

$600/year plus $3 for each bedroom over 20.

$250 per year

$50 for orgs in existence < 1 year. $25 for orgs in existence > 1 year.

$1,000 per year

$500 per year

$250 per year

$600 per year

$100/year per train

$100/year plus $1 per person capacity. Max of $500.

On-Premise Resort Licenses
*Note: Additional requirements for resort licenses are detailed in MCL 436.1531(3), (4)

License Type

Transferable On-Premise Resorts

Non-Transferable On-Premise Resorts

Economic Development Resorts

Description

May sell the same type of alcoholic beverages as the regular license (e.g. Class C may sell beer, wine, and spirits to the general public).

May sell the same type of alcoholic beverages as the regular license (e.g. Class C may sell beer, wine, and spirits to the general public).

May sell the same type of alcoholic beverages as the regular license (e.g. Class C may sell beer, wine, and spirits to the general public).

Facts

550 licenses were authorized under the initial legislation. These licenses may be transferred anywhere in the state with commission approval.

5 licenses may be issued per year. These licenses may transfer ownership but not location.

15 licenses may be issued per year. These licenses may transfer ownership but not location. The business must have an investment in excess of $1,500,000 in real estate, building, improvements, fixtures, and inventory.

Fees

Same renewal fee as for regular license of the same type.

Initial fee of $20,000. Same renewal fee as regular license of same type.

Initial fee of $20,000. Same renewal fee as regular license of same type.

Off-Premise License Types

License Type

Specially Designated Distributor (SDD)

Specially Designated Merchant (SDM)

Resort SDD

Description

Authorized to sell spirits to the general public for off-premise consumption.

Authorized to sell beer and wine to the general public for off-premise consumption.

Resort SDDs are only available for locations at which no quota license can be obtained. For all limitations, see MCL 436.1531(5)

Quota?

Yes

No

No

Fees

$150 per year plus $3 for each $1,000 of liquor purchased from MLCC in excess of $25,000.

$100 per year

$150 per year plus $3 for each $1,000 of liquor purchased from MLCC in excess of $25,000.

License List (Contains most common license types).pdf
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