Per Idaho Statute 23-934A, the State of Idaho requires all licensed establishments to apply for an Alcohol Catering Permit when selling, serving, or distributing alcohol outside of their respected licensed establishments. Licensed establishments are only authorized to sell liquor, beer, or wine, or any combination thereof, based on the type of license they possess.
Meridian City Code 3-2-6 (Alcohol Beverage Catering Permit) and Meridian City Code 3-2-7(A)(Open Container in Public) regulate the sale/service/consumption of alcohol on a non-licensed premise. A violation of either of these codes is a misdemeanor and may be considered for prosecution.
Non-Profit Alcohol Catering Permits are for benevolent, charitable, or public purpose events sponsored by a Non-Profit organization. A 501(c)(3) letter is required to be submitted along with your application. Please see the Alcohol Beverage Control website for further details.
An Alcohol Catering Permit has a fee of $20.00 per day, is limited to 5 consecutive days in a row, and requires an application to be submitted no later than 3 full business days prior to the beginning of the event.
In compliance with Idaho Statute 23-934A, the City of Meridian requires all of the following to be listed on the application:
- The name and address of the applicant
- State alcohol license number
- The dates and hours during which the permit is to be effective
- The names of the organizations, groups, or persons sponsoring the event
- The address which at which the liquor, beer, or wine is to be served, including the rooms in which it will be served
All applications are reviewed by the Meridian Fire and Police Department. Upon approval, the City Clerk will issue the permit to the applicant and submit record of the approved permit to Alcohol Beverage Control. A copy of the approved permit must remain on-site for the duration of the event.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I obtain an Alcohol Catering Permit if I don't have a license to serve or sell alcohol in the State of Idaho?
A: No, only licensed establishments are able to apply for an Alcohol Catering Permit and must provide a copy of their State of Idaho license. The licensed alcohol establishment does not have to be a Meridian business.
Q: Do I need an Alcohol Catering Permit if my event is a private wedding party at an event center or park?
A: Yes/No. Most wedding venues require an Alcohol Catering Permit for the company/business that is hired to serve alcohol at the event because they are serving outside of their licensed premise. Some wedding venues and event centers are licensed to serve alcohol at events on their premise. The City of Meridian Parks and Recreation Department allows participants to bring their own alcohol to a park with a Park's shelter reservation. This can be obtained through the Parks and Recreation reservation online portal. Some restrictions may apply.
Q: Do I need an Alcohol Catering Permit if my event is a private wedding party at home?
A: No, unless the alcohol is being sold to the guests by a licensed establishment/business. Otherwise, no permit is required.
Q: If a winery is providing free samples at an event, is an Alcohol Catering Permit needed?
A: Yes/No. If the winery is selling products by the bottle or the glass, then an Alcohol Catering Permit is required. If wine is only provided as a tasting and no other sales/service will occur, an Alcohol Catering Permit is not needed however, tastings are controlled by the State of Idaho Liquor Division. Please visit the Guidelines for Public Tastings | Idaho State Liquor Division website for more information.