In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
- How to get a liquor license in Vermont
- How much a Vermont liquor license costs
- The difference between license types
- The application and approval process
- The importance of alcohol awareness training for your staff
Let’s get started.
A Vermont liquor license is a legal requirement for any business or individual planning
to sell or serve alcohol in the state. It applies to:
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Caterers
- Hotels
- Clubs
- Breweries and distilleries
To operate legally, you need a license issued by the Vermont DLC after your local town or city government has approved it.
Important: A liquor license covers the business. But individual employees — bartenders, servers, and managers — must also complete state-approved alcohol awareness training to legally serve alcohol.
There are three common types of liquor licenses in Vermont:
- Allows sale of beer and wine for consumption on-site
- Used by most restaurants, bars, and cafes
- Cost: Around $115 annually
- Allows sale of spirits/hard liquor for on-site consumption
- Must have a First-Class license to apply
- Cost: Around $1,095 annually
- For businesses selling alcohol for off-site consumption (e.g., convenience stores, grocery stores)
- Cost: Varies by municipality
💡 Some municipalities may add local fees or require additional permits — always check with your town clerk.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how to get your Vermont liquor license:
- Visit the Vermont DLC portal
- Choose the license class that fits your business
- Upload documents: floor plans, insurance, business registration, etc.
- Your application goes to your local Liquor Control Board (Selectboard) for approval
- Some towns require attending a board meeting — check deadlines (e.g., Wednesdays before the meeting in some towns)
- Once the local board approves, the Vermont DLC will complete the review
- Expect a wait time of 2–6 weeks
📝 Documents you may need:- Business registration or LLC certificate
- Proof of insurance
- Site layout/floor plan
- Menu (for restaurants)
- License fee payment
Here’s a quick breakdown of estimated Vermont liquor license costs according to license type:
First-Class License: $115/year
Third-Class License: $1,095/year
Second-Class License: Varies
Additional fees may include:
Local Selectboard application fee
Fire and safety inspection costs
Renewal processing fees
💡 Don’t forget: You need to renew your license annually, and deadlines vary by town.
Yes. Vermont law requires that anyone who serves or sells alcohol (including bartenders, servers, and managers) must complete alcohol server training before handling alcohol.
- Must be completed before the employee begins work
- Must be renewed every two years
Training typically covers:
- Checking IDs
- Preventing underage drinking
- Handling intoxicated customers
- Reducing liability for your business
Even well-prepared business owners can run into trouble with Vermont’s liquor licensing process. Here are some common (and costly) mistakes to watch out for — and how to avoid them:
Each town or city in Vermont has its own schedule for reviewing liquor license applications. Many Selectboards meet only once a month, and some require submissions days in advance. For example, Morristown requires applications by noon the Wednesday before a meeting. Missing this deadline could delay your opening by weeks.
✔️ Fix: Call your town clerk early and mark their meeting dates and deadlines on your calendar.
The Vermont DLC requires several supporting documents for each application — such as business registration, proof of insurance, and floor plans. Submitting a partial or poorly prepared application can cause delays, rejections, or extra fees.
✔️ Fix: Use the official DLC licensing checklist and triple-check that all fields and uploads are complete before submitting.
It’s a violation of Vermont law to allow staff to serve or sell alcohol without completing an
approved alcohol awareness training. This puts your liquor license at risk and opens your business up to fines and liability.
✔️ Fix: Make it a policy to require new hires to complete
Vermont Alcohol Awareness Training before their first shift.
Liquor licenses must be renewed annually, and staff certifications are valid for two years. Forgetting to renew either can result in service disruptions or temporary suspension of your license.
✔️ Fix: Keep a renewal calendar and assign someone on your team to monitor and manage deadlines proactively.
Want to avoid the hassle and get licensed without delays? Here are some best practices from experienced bar owners and industry professionals in Vermont:
Whether you're opening a new bar or renewing a license, the process takes time. Between local approvals, state reviews, and staff training, planning ahead is your best insurance.
Pro Tip: Apply in January or February to avoid the spring rush of new applications.
Every Vermont town has different rules. Some require public hearings, others need signed local zoning forms. Calling your clerk gives you the exact steps and deadlines for your location — and helps you avoid surprise delays.
Pro Tip: Ask about fire inspections, zoning verifications, or any local forms beyond the DLC application.
The Vermont DLC portal provides an application checklist tailored to your license type. Use it to gather your floor plans, insurance certificates, and tax ID numbers ahead of time.
Pro Tip: Scan all documents as PDFs so they’re easy to upload.
Don’t wait until opening week to handle training. Staff certification is legally required and protects your business.
The Vermont Alcohol Awareness Training course from Certification Experts is 100% online and mobile-friendly — perfect for onboarding new hires fast.
Licenses renew annually, and staff certifications every two years. Use Google Calendar, project management software, or even a shared wall calendar to stay on top of these dates.
Pro Tip: Schedule reminders 30 days before each deadline to allow for paperwork and processing time.
Getting a liquor license in Vermont can be a smooth process —
if you follow the steps and plan ahead. Remember, local approval is just as important as state approval, and skipping either step can cause serious delays.
Equally important is making sure your employees are legally certified to serve alcohol. The state requires it, and it’s one of the best ways to protect your business from costly violations.
If you’re onboarding a new team or launching your bar soon, we recommend enrolling staff in a quick and affordable training like the
Vermont Alcohol Awareness Training from the Certification Experts
. It’s 100% online, mobile-friendly, and approved by the state of Vermont.
