Establishments seeking or renewing an on-premises license from the State Liquor Authority must notify Community Boards at least 30 days before the application is submitted to the State Liquor Authority. To learn more about applying or renewing a liquor license, visit their website. Applicants who submit timely notices will be scheduled to appear before the Licensing Committee.
How to apply for an SLA license with Community Board 12-Manhattan
Step 1: Submit Notice Form
You must send the SLA 30 Day Notice Form to CB12M either via:
- email to [email protected]
- certified mail with return receipt requested
- overnight delivery service with proof of mailing
- personal service upon the CB12M office
Step 2: Complete Documents
Once the 30-day notice is received, CB12M will provide the applicant and the representative, if applicable, with materials by email for completion. The email will confirm receipt of the notice, contain the materials (see below) as attachments, and provide a copy of the Public Hearing notice that must be posted on the front door or exterior window at least one week prior to the appearance date in both English and Spanish.
The following documents must be submitted by the first Monday of each month at 5:00p.m. in order to be scheduled for appearance at that month’s Licensing Committee meeting. Materials submitted after the deadline will be considered for the following month’s meeting, so long as the materials remain accurate until that point.
- SLA 30-day Notice Form
- CB12M Licensing Questionnaire (PDF Format | Word Format)
- Photograph of posted CB12M Public Hearing Notices
- Photograph of current SLA License
- Photograph of Health Inspection Grade Card
- Requested supplemental materials, including a floor plan and menu (as applicable for new licenses)
Step 3: Committee Meeting
At the meeting, the Licensing Committee will consider the totality of the application to inform their decision-making. The Licensing Committee members may vote independently and based on their own inspection and understanding of the record. However, the members are encouraged to consider the safety and soundness of each establishment based on an objective review of the materials. Some considerations include the following:
- Are the owners in good standing with their obligations under applicable laws, rules, and regulations?
- Are the owners good faith contributors to the community district?
- Do the records provided by the SLA or the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reveal severe deficiencies in the way the establishment is operated?
- Have members of the community and/or the relevant NYPD precinct expressed concerns with the establishment?
- Are the owners willing to agree to stipulations that the Licensing Committee decides?
Importantly, owners are expected to attend meetings where either (1) the application is for a new license or (2) the renewal application raises concerns of safety and soundness (e.g., concerning findings on a recent health inspection, numerous SLA fines imposed within recent three-year period).
The Licensing Committee wishes to advance the business profile of the surrounding community. However, it must do so in a manner that is responsible to the members of the community that the Licensing Committee represents. As follows, the Licensing Committee may impose conditions, or stipulations, on its vote recommending approval. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Posting of a Good Neighbor Sign in a prominently displayed portion of the establishment, visible to patrons.
- Posting of a Manager’s Phone Number in a prominently displayed portion of the establishment, visible to patrons. See the Good Neighbor Sign.
- Installation of a sound limiter, demonstrated by proof of purchase of the sound limiter itself.
- Posting of a “No Double Parking” sign visible from the front of the establishment.
- Solicitation of work to effectively sound-proof the establishment.
A failure to adhere to stipulations agreed upon by an owner or representative may result in a vote to recommend rejection when the establishment must appear for a renewal.
Step 4: General Board Approval
The Licensing Committee does not have the power of final say in the matter. Each application is presented to the entire Community Board at the next general meeting as a recommendation from the Licensing Committee. The Community Board may, however, vote in a manner consistent or inconsistent with the Licensing Committee’s recommendation. If an owner or representative wishes to make a case for an alternate decision from the Licensing Committee’s recommendation, the owner or representative may speak at the General Board meeting during the Public Session.
Dining Out NYC
If the establishment wishes for the Community Board to comment on the establishment’s Dining Out NYC application with the NYC Department of Transportation, it must complete a separate questionnaire here and appear before the Licensing Committee prior to the Community Board’s deadline to comment. A failure to submit the questionnaire and/or appear at the meeting may result in the Community Board opposing the application expressly to the NYC Department of Transportation.