Brewery / Distillery Permits & Licenses in Scottsdale, AZ

Required for all LLC formation in Arizona. Expedited filing available for additional fee.

All active LLCs must file annually online. Failure to file leads to inactive status.

Arizona permits Series LLCs; each series requires separate filing.

TPT is Arizona's sales tax. Breweries/distilleries selling directly to consumers require it. Rates vary by location (5.6% state + local).

Specific license type depends on operations (e.g., Series 3 for brewery, Series 9 for microbrewery, Series 12 for distillery). Processing 6-12 months. Location approval required. Fees per current schedule at https://www.azliquor.gov/faq/faq_fee_schedule.cfm (updated 2024).

File with Secretary of State, not county. Renews every 5 years actually (biennial incorrect; corrected per source).

Zoning compliance, public notice, and inspection required for all liquor locations.

All new liquor licenses require State Board review (meets monthly). Fingerprinting, background checks mandatory for owners/managers.

All businesses selling tangible goods or providing taxable services in Arizona must obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license. Breweries/distilleries selling directly to consumers (on-site or via distribution) are subject to TPT. Multiple locations require separate licenses.

Required for all employers in Arizona. Applies if the brewery/distillery hires employees. Includes withholding from employee wages for state income tax.

Employers must register with DES and pay quarterly unemployment insurance taxes. Tax rate varies by industry and experience rating; new employers typically pay 2.0% on first $7,000 in wages per employee annually.

All breweries and distilleries must register with TTB and obtain a Federal Tax ID Number (FTIN). Required under the Internal Revenue Code for payment of federal excise taxes on alcohol production and sales.

Breweries and distilleries must file Form 720 semi-monthly and pay federal excise taxes based on volume of alcohol produced. Rates vary: beer is taxed at $18–$24 per barrel depending on volume; distilled spirits at $13.50 per proof gallon.

TPT is a privilege tax on the privilege of doing business in Arizona. Rates vary by city and county. Breweries/distilleries must file electronically via AZTaxes.gov. On-site sales, tasting rooms, and retail distribution are all subject to TPT.

Employers must withhold Arizona income tax from employee wages and remit monthly or quarterly based on liability volume.

Most Arizona cities require a local business license or privilege tax for operating within city limits. For example, Phoenix requires a Business License; Tucson requires a Privilege Tax License. Fees and requirements vary by municipality.

Required for all LLCs with employees or those that file business tax returns. Breweries/distilleries must obtain an EIN even if sole-member with no employees, due to excise tax reporting requirements.

When forming an LLC with the Arizona Secretary of State, businesses are automatically registered with ADOR for tax purposes via the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) system. This streamlines tax registration but does not replace TPT or excise tax filings.

Breweries/distilleries classified under NAICS 312120/312140; alcohol-specific endorsement may be required

Required for businesses outside city limits; zoning approval prerequisite

Breweries typically require C-2/C-3 zoning or conditional use permit (Phoenix Zoning Ordinance § 307)

See Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 13 for manufacturing uses

Includes plan review for commercial/industrial buildings

Phoenix Sign Code § 1205 regulates freestanding/wall signs

NFPA 13 compliance required for flammable liquids storage

Brewery/distilleries = High Hazard H-3 occupancy (IFC 2021)

Required if serving food/beverages to public (Maricopa County Health Code 8-101)

NFPA 72 compliance required

Brewery = Business/Industrial occupancy (F-1/M)

Privilege license required for all businesses

Industrial zoning (IH/NC) typically required for manufacturing

Arizona law requires all employers with one or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. Sole proprietors and partners are not required to cover themselves unless they elect coverage. Exemption is not allowed for statutory employees. Coverage must be obtained through a private insurer or self-insurance (if approved).

While not mandated by general state law for all businesses, the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control requires proof of general liability insurance as part of commercial safety requirements for licensed premises. Minimum coverage typically required: $1 million per occurrence.

Required by DLLC for all licensed premises that serve alcohol. Covers claims related to intoxication, over-service, or underage drinking. Minimum coverage typically $1 million per occurrence.

Not legally mandated by Arizona state law, but strongly recommended due to high risk of claims related to contamination, labeling errors, or consumer injury. Required by most distributors, retailers, and landlords as a condition of contract. Falls under general product liability under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 44.

Arizona law requires all motor vehicles registered in the business name to carry liability insurance meeting minimum limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $15,000 property damage (25/50/15). Applies to delivery trucks, tasting room shuttles, or any business-owned vehicle.

A surety bond is required for all liquor license applicants in Arizona. The bond amount varies by license class (e.g., $1,000 for some retail licenses, up to $25,000 for manufacturers). The bond ensures compliance with Arizona liquor laws and regulations.

Required for all LLCs, especially those with employees or multiple members. Even single-member LLCs should obtain an EIN for banking and vendor purposes.

Distilleries must obtain a Federal Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) permit. Breweries are not required to pay federal excise tax registration but must register with TTB as a Brewer’s Notice (Form 5110.17). DSP permit requires bond, floor plan, and formula approval.

Required under 26 U.S.C. § 5061 for all brewers. Must file Form 5110.17. Includes submission of bond and floor plan. No fee, but bond may be required.

Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) required for every label and brand. Must comply with TTB labeling regulations including health warnings, alcohol content, and responsible drinking statements.

Applies to all employers with employees. Requires hazard communication, injury reporting (Form 300A if 10+ employees), and safe working conditions. Brewery/distillery-specific risks include confined spaces, fermentation gases, and pressurized systems.

Applies to all businesses open to the public. Requires accessible entrances, restrooms, counters, and pathways. Applies regardless of number of employees.

Applies if facility stores regulated oil (not ethanol or beer). Requires SPCC plan certified by professional engineer if capacity exceeds 10,000 gallons or spill history exists.

Federal UST regulations apply if storing regulated substances (e.g., gasoline, diesel) underground. Most breweries/distilleries use aboveground tanks for ethanol or CO2, which are not regulated under UST rules unless fuel is stored underground.

Prohibits deceptive or misleading advertising. Applies to all marketing, including website, social media, and labels. Must substantiate claims (e.g., “organic,” “locally sourced”). Separate from TTB labeling rules but complementary.

All employers must complete Form I-9 for each employee. E-Verify is not federally required unless in a federal contract or certain states, but may be required under federal grants.

Requires payment of federal minimum wage, overtime (1.5x for >40 hours/week), and proper recordkeeping. Applies to brewery/distillery employees including taproom staff.

Requires eligible employees to be granted up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying reasons. Most small breweries/distilleries are exempt unless they meet employee threshold.

Required under the Bioterrorism Act of 2002. Must renew registration every 2 years (even-numbered years). Applies to all domestic food facilities, including breweries and distilleries.

Requires a written Food Safety Plan including hazard analysis, preventive controls, monitoring, and verification. Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees) may qualify for modified requirements.

Ethanol in distilled spirits is a hazardous material. Requires proper packaging, labeling, shipping papers, and employee training under 49 CFR. Applies when shipping interstate or internationally.