Washington Special Event Liquor Permit: Cost, Rules & How to Apply
Quick answer
In Washington, alcohol at a one-off public or fundraising event is covered by the Special Occasion License, open to nonprofit organizations registered with the Washington Secretary of State or the IRS. It costs $90 per day, per location and should be filed at least 45 days before the event. The limit is 12 event days 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
- Special Occasion License
- Official source
- lcb.wa.gov State statute — WAC 314-05-025
- Fee
- $90 per day, per location
- Apply at least
- 45 days before
- Annual limit
- 12 event days a year
- Nonprofits only
- Yes
- Law
- WAC 314-05-025
- Last verified
- Oct 8, 2026
Who it covers
Who can apply in Washington.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations registered with the Washington Secretary of State or the IRS
Lets a nonprofit sell spirits, beer and wine by the serving at a fundraising dinner, gala, auction or tasting. Each day of a multi-day event counts against the 12-day annual limit. Nobody working the event may drink.
- Using a licensed caterer
- A nonprofit that hires a caterer licensed to sell alcohol at events does not need a special occasion license; the alcohol proceeds go to the caterer.
| Other permit types | Who | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Banquet permit | — | $25 per day of the event |
How to apply
3 steps, in order.
- Apply to the LCB at least 45 days before the event (the LCB allows 20 days for local authority review).
- If applying fewer than 20 days ahead, obtain a non-objection letter directly from the local authority; applications fewer than 7 days ahead are withdrawn automatically.
- At the event, post the license where alcohol is sold; the nonprofit itself must sell all alcohol.
Neighbors
How Washington compares.
| State | Fee | Lead time | Nonprofit only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $90 per day, per location | 45 days | Yes |
| Idaho | $20 for beer, $20 for wine | 14 days | Yes |
Nationally
Where Washington ranks.
For one one-day event under the main permit, Washington's state fee comes to $90. Of the 26 states where that figure can be read straight from the fee rule, 21 charge less and 4 charge more. States whose fee depends on the type of organization, drink or city are left out of this comparison.
Washington asks for 45 days of notice. Of the 24 states that publish a deadline, 0 require more notice and 23 require less (business days counted as calendar weeks).
Across the border
What changes next door.
- More notice is required than in Idaho (45 days here, 14 days there).
Also needed in Washington
Training and liability.
Server training
Mandatory in Washington. Applies to: managers, servers/sellers (Both establishments; Both licensees). APIS data as of 1/1/2025. Voluntary program with incentives: mitigation of penalties. APIS minimum ages (on-premises): serve beer/wine/spirits 18/18/18, bartend 21/21/21, manager or supervisor must be present for underage servers.
FAQ
Questions people ask.
How far in advance do I apply in Washington?
At least 45 days before the event, according to lcb.wa.gov. Apply earlier if local approvals are needed.
Can an individual or business get one in Washington?
No. This permit is for nonprofit organizations registered with the Washington Secretary of State or the IRS. If you are a private host, ask whether your caterer or venue holds a license that covers the event, and confirm with the agency.
Is there a yearly limit on event permits in Washington?
Yes: 12 event days a year for the main permit type.
Next steps
Related.
Sources
- Washington — Special Occasion License · State statute — WAC 314-05-025, checked Oct 8, 2026
- Washington — Banquet permit · State agency (lcb.wa.gov), checked Oct 8, 2026
- Washington — server training · Federal summary (NIAAA APIS), checked Jul 29, 2026
General information, not legal advice.