Florida Special Event Liquor Permit: Cost, Rules & How to Apply
Quick answer
In Florida, alcohol at a one-off public or fundraising event is covered by the Temporary Permit (ODP), open to bona fide nonprofit civic organizations, charitable organizations, municipalities and counties. It costs $25 per permit. The limit is 12 a year.
General information from the state's published rules, not legal advice. Confirm with the agency before your event.
Permit at a glance
- Permit name
- Temporary Permit (ODP)
- Official source
- flsenate.gov State statute — Fla. Stat. § 561.422
- Fee
- $25 per permit
- Annual limit
- 12 a year
- Last verified
- Oct 3, 2026
Who it covers
Who can apply in Florida.
Who can apply: Bona fide nonprofit civic organizations, charitable organizations, municipalities and counties
Allows on-premises sales only, for up to 3 days, subject to local hours-of-sale rules. Nonprofits keep the net profits; a municipality or county must donate net profits to a nonprofit civic or charitable organization within 90 days. Limit of 12 permits per calendar year, except small areas covered by county special acts.
- How long does a Florida temporary event permit last?
- Up to 3 days.
- Can the alcohol be sold to go?
- No. The permit covers consumption on the premises only.
- What happens to the profits?
- A nonprofit or civic organization keeps the net profits from alcohol sales during the permit period.
- Can a city or county get the permit?
- Only if it tried and failed to find a qualified nonprofit civic or charitable organization to run the sales.
- Where can permit holders buy alcohol?
- From a distributor or vendor licensed under the Beverage Law.
- Do local hours of sale apply?
- Yes. Sales are subject to state law and municipal or county ordinances on selling times.
- Application form
- Form DBPR ABT-6003.
- When did the 12-per-year limit start?
- July 1, 2016.
- Audits
- The Division may adopt rules and audit permit holders for compliance.
| Other permit types | Who | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Special Temporary Permit (SODP) under county special acts | Bona fide non-profit civic organizations, under special acts for certain localities | $25 |
How to apply
2 steps, in order.
- Obtain a local building and zoning permit for the event.
- File the application (Form DBPR ABT-6003) with the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and pay the $25 fee.
Neighbors
How Florida compares.
| State | Fee | Lead time | Nonprofit only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $25 per permit | — | — |
| Georgia | $25 per permit for the first 6 permits in a calendar year; after that, for-profit fees apply | 10 days | Yes |
Nationally
Where Florida ranks.
For one one-day event under the main permit, Florida's state fee comes to $25. Of the 26 states where that figure can be read straight from the fee rule, 5 charge less and 16 charge more. States whose fee depends on the type of organization, drink or city are left out of this comparison.
Also needed in Florida
Training and liability.
Server training
Voluntary in Florida (Responsible vendor training (Florida Responsible Vendor Act)). APIS data as of 1/1/2025. Voluntary program with incentives: mitigation of penalties, protection of license. APIS minimum ages (on-premises): serve beer/wine/spirits 18/18/18, bartend 18/18/18. Cross-checked with state source.
Liability
Fla. Stat. § 768.125 A seller can be liable only if it willfully and unlawfully served someone under 21 or knowingly served a person habitually addicted to alcohol. Classification: limited (only for willful service to a minor or knowing service to a habitual drunkard).
Next steps
Related.
Sources
- Florida — Temporary Permit (ODP) · State statute — Fla. Stat. § 561.422, checked Oct 3, 2026
- Florida — Special Temporary Permit (SODP) under county special acts · State agency (myfloridalicense.com), checked Apr 13, 2026
- Florida — When did the 12-per-year limit start? · State agency (myfloridalicense.com), checked Oct 3, 2026
- Florida — server training · State statute — Fla. Stat. ch. 561.702; Fla. Stat. ch. 561.703; Fla. Stat. ch. 561.705; Fla. Stat. ch. 561.706; Fla. Stat. § 561.705, checked Jul 29, 2026
- Florida — Fla. Stat. § 768.125 · State statute — Fla. Stat. § 768.125, checked Oct 8, 2026
General information, not legal advice.