Alcohol and Marijuana

Marijuana Sales and Consumption

Under Washington State Law, marijuana is allowed to be bought or sold in licensed retail marijuana stores only. No marijuana sales are allowed at special events outside of these stores.

Washington state law protects private marijuana use, but marijuana cannot be consumed in public view, such as on streets or sidewalks or in public parks. In addition, the state's Smoking in Public Places law (RCW 70.160) prohibits smoking of any kind in public places and places of employment.

Alcohol Service

The City of Seattle and the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) set conditions for the operation of any alcohol service areas at your event.

All beverage serving containers must be in compostable or recyclable containers. Adequate recycling/composting bins must be provided within the service and consumption area.

Locations and Approvals

Alcohol Service on City Right of Way

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has the initial authority for any extended service area that is intended to be operated on the public right of way (streets or sidewalks).

Once SDOT has approved the event location, the vendor can seek permitting from the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) if liquor sales are involved. Seattle Fire Department must also be consulted for assembly, occupancy and other approvals and permits.

Alcohol Service in Seattle Parks

Seattle Parks and Recreation has the initial authority for any alcohol sales or service in Seattle Parks.

Once Parks and Recreation have approved the activity, the vendor can seek permitting from the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB). Seattle Fire Department must also be consulted for assembly, occupancy and other approvals and permits.

Alcohol Service on Private Property

Any alcohol service must be licensed/permitted by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB). Please reference types of licenses below.

If the intended event space is on private property, applicants should still include the space in the main Special Event Permit application but can go directly to WSLCB for the individual permitting.

Beer Gardens

A "beer garden" is an enclosed area where any type of alcoholic beverage (beer, wine, cider, spirits) is served and/or sold.

Map

You must submit a detailed schematic/map of any beer garden with your Special Event Permit Application. The map must include:

Fencing/barriers including dimensions
Entrances and exits including dimensions
Equipment/furniture: tables, chairs, bars, stage, etc. including dimensions

See example map.

Fencing

There are two options for fencing:

Single fencing that is at least 6 feet high.
Double fencing that is at least 42 inches high. The space ("moat") between the double fencing must be at least 6 feet wide.

Maximum Occupancy

The maximum occupancy limit for any enclosed space is set by the Fire Marshal's Office according to a fixed set of requirements for safety, including the usable space inside the area (total space minus any furniture or structures) and the number, size, and location of entrances and exits.

An accurate count of number of people inside the beer garden must be maintained at all times. Most event organizers accomplish this with an in/out counter.

Staffing

The level of security staffing for the beer garden must be sufficient to ensure compliance with State and local laws and must require that every exit/entry to the beer garden be staffed to ensure that no alcoholic beverages are removed from or brought into the beer garden.

ID Check

For the purpose of admission to the beer garden and service of alcoholic beverages, operators of the beer garden must ensure that all persons who appear 30 years of age or younger present appropriate identification attesting their age to be at least 21 years.

Serving Containers

No glass serving containers are permitted for use in beer garden services or food/beverage services associated with the beer garden.

Extended Service Areas for Restaurants and Bars

For Event Planners

If you plan to have restaurants or lounges within your event footprint operate extended service areas, you're required to do the following at the time you apply for a special event permit:

Include the names of each establishment on your event map.
Submit the dimensions and fencing plan for each establishment and include these service areas on your event map (areas are limited to the curb)
Submit a description of the services planned (selling food, liquor, etc)

Generally, the following rules and regulations will also apply:

Any extended service area must be adjacent and contiguous to the business premises
Any extended service area may NOT be adjacent and contiguous with any other area licensed for liquor sales (i.e., may not be adjacent to other restaurants or differently-licensed liquor "gardens")
One layer of 42-inch tall barrier must be in place around any extended service area

For Business Owners

Restaurants and bars that seek to operate extended service areas within a special event (such as a street festival), beyond existing public space permitted, must work through the event organizer.

The event organizer has the street use permit for the footprint of their festival within a specific date range. If a restaurant or bar within that footprint seeks to alter the public right of way, permission to do so will only be granted as part of the organizer's special event permit. Permits will not be issued to individual establishments.

Restaurants and bars that wish to use the sidewalk area to extend their service area may use the whole portion of the adjacent sidewalk, out to the curb. Temporary curb ramps must be installed on each side of the closed sidewalk section. A minimum 10-foot wide section of the street adjacent to the closed portion of the sidewalk must be kept clear at all times.

The business proprietor is responsible for securing entrances and exits with staff checking for twenty-one (21) and over identification for alcohol consumption.

Types of Alcohol Licenses

Nonprofit Special Occasion License

Available to bona fide nonprofit organizations selling liquor at a specific time, date and place.

All proceeds of liquor sales must be retained by the nonprofit
Allows sales of spirits, beer and wine by individual serving for on-premises consumption
The local authority (i.e. mayor or county executive) will be notified of your application and have the opportunity to weigh in on the application.
Organizations are limited to 12 single-day events per calendar year
Special occasion licensees may not advertise or sell alcohol below cost
You may purchase spirits from a domestic (in-state) Spirits Distributor, Spirits Retailer licensee, Craft Distillery, or Distillery. You may also purchase spirits from a U.S. distillery holding a Spirits Out-of-State Certificate of Approval (COA) with Washington to ship spirits directly to licensed retailers. Beer or wine may be purchased wholesale or retail.

Raffle Permit

Allows a bona fide nonprofit organization to raffle liquor to its members at a specified date and place. Applications are available online or by calling (360) 664-1600.

Private Banquet Permit

Available for an invitation-only banquet or gathering held in a public place or business.

For the service and consumption of liquor
Banquet permits are available to for-profit businesses, societies, organizations, and individuals
Retail liquor licensees may not obtain banquet permits
Attendance must be by invitation only
The event may not be open or advertised to the public
Liquor must be free of charge or brought by individuals attending the event. No separate or additional charge may be made for liquor, and donations cannot be accepted
The event cannot be for business promotions
Liquor must be purchased from a retail store at full retail price
In addition to your WSLCB permissions, your alcohol service areas must be approved by the City of Seattle Special Events Committee.

Alcohol Caterers

Restaurants with a catering endorsement on their liquor license may cater alcohol at private events (no ticket sales) and events sponsored entirely by a non-profit.

Third-party promoters may not be involved with this type of event.