California ABC has opened its annual priority registration period. From September 14 through September 25, 2026, ABC district offices will accept applications for priority licenses in eligible counties, plus Type 87 licenses in Los Angeles and San Francisco counties.
This window matters because of what sits behind it. Beer and wine licenses are available year-round to qualified applicants, but general licenses, the ones that authorize retail sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits, come up only once a year through this process. That covers license types 21, 47, 48, 57, and 75. A priority license means either a brand new original general license or a general license transferring from one county into another.
Roughly three dozen counties are in scope this period, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Orange, Alameda, Sacramento, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Santa Clara. ABC has also posted county-specific announcements covering special legislation on-sale general licenses in El Dorado, Placer, and San Francisco counties.
If a county draws more applicants than it has available licenses, ABC holds a drawing the week of October 26, 2026, with additional details published October 19. Drawings are run virtually via Zoom, and ABC directs applicants to subscribe to its email updates for specific times and access instructions.
One procedural warning worth repeating: ABC states that an application completed incorrectly is deemed disqualified, and the applicant cannot participate in the requested drawing. There is no partial credit here, so operators should confirm the correct forms, ownership attachments, and fees before submitting.
Operators who do land a new on-sale general license will need certified staff before anyone pours. California requires servers and their managers at on-sale licensed premises to complete California RBS certification training and pass the ABC exam within 60 days of hire, so it is worth lining that up alongside the license itself.
Source: California ABC — Priority Registration Drawings
This post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Alcohol-service laws change frequently and vary by state and locality. Always confirm current requirements with your state’s alcohol regulatory authority or a qualified professional before acting.
