Delaware Special Event Liquor Permit: Cost, Rules & How to Apply
Quick answer
In Delaware, alcohol at a one-off public or fundraising event is covered by the Daily Nonprofit Gathering License, open to iRS-registered nonprofit social, civic or educational groups, including social welfare organizations, business leagues, veterans organizations, fraternal orders, religious organizations and registered political organizations. It costs $5 for up to two days, $2 each additional day, plus $5 for Sundays and holidays.
General information from the state's published rules, not legal advice. Confirm with the agency before your event.
Permit at a glance
- Permit name
- Daily Nonprofit Gathering License
- Official source
- oabcc.delaware.gov State agency (oabcc.delaware.gov)
- Fee
- $5 for up to two days, $2 each additional day, plus $5 for Sundays and holidays
- Nonprofits only
- Yes
- Last verified
- Oct 8, 2026
Who it covers
Who can apply in Delaware.
Who can apply: IRS-registered nonprofit social, civic or educational groups, including social welfare organizations, business leagues, veterans organizations, fraternal orders, religious organizations and registered political organizations
Lead time is 10 business days. All proceeds from alcohol sales must go to the nonprofit. Up to 10 gallons of alcohol per day may be sold by raffle or auction for off-premises consumption.
| Other permit types | Who | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Biennial Nonprofit Gathering License | — | $200 (fewer than 25 events) to $1000 (more than 75 events) per two-year term, plus Sunday/holiday fees |
| Temporary Large Event (promoter) | — | $500 per event |
How to apply
3 steps, in order.
- Make sure the event is a fundraising or mission event planned and hosted by the nonprofit and advertised to the public (private weddings, showers, birthdays and similar are not gatherings).
- Prepare a floor plan showing alcohol service and storage areas, seating and entertainment areas, and all entrances and exits.
- Submit the gathering license application to the OABCC at least 10 business days before the gathering.
Neighbors
How Delaware compares.
| State | Fee | Lead time | Nonprofit only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $5 for up to two days, $2 each additional day, plus $5 for Sundays and holidays | — | Yes |
| Maryland | State default: $5/day beer or beer & wine, $15/day beer, wine & liquor. Most large counties set their own fees by statute (see county rows). | — | — |
| New Jersey | $100 per day for civic, religious or educational organizations; $150 per day for other non-profits | 14 days | Yes |
Nationally
Where Delaware ranks.
For one one-day event under the main permit, Delaware's state fee comes to $5. Of the 26 states where that figure can be read straight from the fee rule, 1 charges less and 24 charge more. States whose fee depends on the type of organization, drink or city are left out of this comparison.
Also needed in Delaware
Training and liability.
Server training
Mandatory in Delaware. Applies to: managers, servers/sellers (Both establishments; Both licensees). APIS data as of 1/1/2025. APIS minimum ages (on-premises): serve beer/wine/spirits 18/18/18, bartend 21/21/21.
Next steps
Related.
Sources
- Delaware — Daily Nonprofit Gathering License · State agency (oabcc.delaware.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Delaware — Biennial Nonprofit Gathering License · State agency (oabcc.delaware.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Delaware — server training · Federal summary (NIAAA APIS), checked Jul 29, 2026
General information, not legal advice.