Resort All-Beverage Licenses

Overview

A Resort All-Beverage License is an all-beverage license used by businesses such as bars and taverns in a resort area.

This license:

  • May apply for gambling; however, only 20 gambling machine permits may be issued for the resort area
  • May not be transferred or sold for operation at a location outside the resort area
  • Can be open from 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM
  • Must have a designated bar area
  • May deliver alcohol to guests of the accommodation units on the designated resort area property as long as the purchaser is present, the purchaser's age is verified, and the purchaser is not intoxicated

Fees

License Fees

  • Application processing fee: $400
    • Applies only to original applications
    • Does not apply to renewals
  • Annual renewal fee: $2,000

One-Time Application Fee

The application processing fee only applies for original applications and is not applied to renewals.

If the resort determination was decided before January 1, 1999:

  • $20,000 for the first resort license
  • $100,000 for each additional resort license

If the resort determination was decided after January 1, 1999:

  • $100,000 for each resort license
  • Includes a $2,000 new license fee.

  • New license fee: $200
  • Application processing fee: $100
  • Annual renewal fee: $400

Note: The application processing fee only applies for original applications and is not applied to renewals.

Application Requirements

To apply for this license, you must be located within a resort area designated by the department.

To qualify as a resort, the area must:

  • Have a current value of at least $10M, at least $5M of which valuation must be for a structure or structures within the resort area
  • Must be under the sole ownership or control of one person or entity
  • Must contain at least 125 acres of land
  • Contain at least 100 guest accommodation units for the first resort license and an additional license for each additional 50 accommodation units. 
  • Must be located outside of an incorporated city quota area
  • Provide resort recreational facilities on the resort grounds. These recreational facilities must be completed prior to licenses being issued in 16-4-213.

Additional License Allowances Based on Acreage and Valuation

If the resort area contains at least 500 contiguous acres and the current actual valuation of completed recreational facilities, including land and improvements, of not less than $20M, the department may issue up to 10 resort retail all-beverages licenses regardless of the number of accommodation units.

For a resort area with a perimeter containing at least 2,000 contiguous acres that has a current actual valuation of completed recreational facilities, including land and improvements, of not less than $40 million, the department may issue up to 25 resort retail all-beverages licenses regardless of the number of accommodation units.

A licensee that operates a resort all-beverage license may also apply for a tour boat endorsement on their license if:

  • The boats are at least 40 feet long and carry at least 50 passengers
  • The health department has approved food services on the boat
  • Fish, Wildlife and Parks inspects and approves boat safety equipment
  • The Boat registration is current
  • The applicant has current business liability insurance coverage
  • The resort licensee or applicant owns the tour boat. (16-4-210, MCA)

License Quotas and Limits

The number of guest accommodations in the resort area determines how many licenses are available. Except for those resort areas that are determined by acres and valuation listed above.

A resort area designation application to the department that received approval prior to January 1, 1999, is entitled to the issuance of one resort retail all-beverages license for a $20,000 license fee.

Any additional resort retail all-beverages licenses issued to a resort area under 16-4-213(2)(c), MCA must meet the accommodation unit requirement in subsection (2)(a) of 16-4-213, MCA and pay the license fee and renewal fees as provided in 16-4-501.

The Resort All-Beverages License is not included in the quota system.

Application Options

Renewal Date

A resort all-beverage license must be renewed every year by June 30.

Related Laws