Alcoholic Beverage Licensing
Licenses for beer, wine, and alcohol sales and service are issued by the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA). However, local jurisdictions play a role in this process, either by certifying whether the proposed licensable activity is allowed under local laws in the desired location, or by endorsing/imposing restrictions on requests for special event licenses or floor-plan extensions for existing licensed businesses.
Forms
WVABCA Zoning Forms
The WVABCA requires that applications for Class A and B licenses must include a Zoning Form, completed by the city clerk, confirming that the city has no zoning or other laws prohibiting alcohol sales in the desired location. To ensure that you are using the most up-to-date Zoning Form, please download it from the WVABCA website along with the rest of your license application packet.
These forms do not require council action and can generally be completed by the city clerk while you wait.
Endorsement
City endorsement is required prior to WV ABCA approval of the following special permits:
- Fair and Festival Permit (WV Code §60-7-8a)
- Nonintoxicating Beer Floorplan Extension (WVC Code §11-16-3)
To apply for endorsement for one of these special permits, please submit a letter to the city clerk including the following:
- Date, Time, and Location of Event (end time is always midnight)
- Location and plan for alcohol sales
- Plans for ensuring prevention of underage drinking and drinks being carried outside of the designated area
- Any other plans for security and safety you wish the city to take into account
Template Endorsement Request Letters
For your convenience, you may use the following templates for your letters. Feel free to send your request attached to or pasted into the body of an email (addressed to the city clerk). Your request should also include a sketch of the layout of your proposed event location.
In addition to the city’s endorsement, the WV ABCA imposes extensive additional requirements on events such as these. It is your responsibility to review these requirements and ensure your own compliance. City staff are not able to provide opinions or guidance about WV ABCA rules. The city reserves the right to require alterations to an event plan (e.g., by requiring security guards, changing access control points, etc.) or imposing restrictions in addition to those stipulated by state law (e.g., requiring that you cease sales/conclude your event earlier in the evening than otherwise required by law, such as when adjacent residents might be disturbed by noise, etc.).
For More Information
Sutton Stokes
Elkins City Clerk
401 Davis Avenue
Elkins, WV 26241
304.636.1414, ext. 1211 (office)
suttonstokes@cityofelkinswv.com
