Protest Against Alcoholic Beverage License Application
Anyone can protest an ABC license application. Protests must be filed with the Department by the close of business on the 30th day after notice is posted or mailed (whichever date is later).
Filing a Protest
A protest is a written declaration of your objection(s) against a pending alcoholic beverage license. When writing the protest, state the particular grounds for your objections against the application, be specific on why with examples.
Although it’s not required, please use Form ABC-510-A in order to help you file your protest , but you can also write an email or write a letter to protest. Any protest should be sent to your local District Office for processing.
Your protest must contain the following:
- The particular ground(s) for objection and the facts that support these objections;
- The name of the applicant(s) and the exact address of the proposed business; and
- The name, address, and signature of the Protestant. Protests may only be submitted by individuals and may contain only one signature per protest form or letter.
All timely protests received will be reviewed for valid concerns. Protestants will receive a letter letting them know if protest concerns were accepted or denied. The protest is sent to the applicant and a licensing representative from ABC that investigates the application. If ABC recommends issuing the license, you will get a notice asking if you would like an Administrative hearing. If you do not wish to attend the hearing, your protest will be deemed abandoned and the license will issue.
More Information
Regulations, detailed instructions, and tips for protesting an application can be found in Form ABC-510.
Contact
For additional information,
contact your local ABC District Office.
Bakersfield
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4800 Stockdale Highway., Suite 213
Bakersfield, CA 93309
- Phone:
- (661) 395-2731
- Fax:
- (661) 322-5929
- Email:
- Bakersfield@abc.ca.gov
Concord
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1800 Sutter St., Ste 450
Concord, CA 94520
- Phone:
- (925) 655-6314
- Fax:
- (925) 655-6310
- Email:
- Concord@abc.ca.gov
Eureka
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1105 Sixth St., Suite C
Eureka, CA 95501
- Phone:
- (707) 445-7229
- Fax:
- (707) 445-6643
- Email:
- Eureka@abc.ca.gov
Fresno
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1330 B East Shaw Ave.
Fresno, CA 93710-7902
- Phone:
- (559) 225-6334
- Fax:
- (559) 225-8740
- Email:
- Fresno@abc.ca.gov
LA/Metro
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888 S Figueroa Street, Suite 320
Los Angeles, CA 90017
- Phone:
- (213) 833-6043
- Fax:
- (213) 833-6058
- Email:
- LAMetro@abc.ca.gov
LB/Lakewood
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3950 Paramount Blvd., Suite 250
Lakewood, CA 90712
- Phone:
- (562) 982-1337
- Fax:
- (562) 275-4174
- Email:
- LongBeach/Lakewood@abc.ca.gov
Lodi
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3021 Reynolds Ranch Parkway, Suite 150
Lodi, CA 95240
- Phone:
- (209) 371-6761
- Fax:
- (209) 371-6763
- Email:
- lodi@abc.ca.gov
Monrovia
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222 E. Huntington Dr., Suite 114
Monrovia, CA 91016
- Phone:
- (626) 256-3241
- Fax:
- (626) 263-9858
- Email:
- Monrovia@abc.ca.gov
Palm Desert
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34-160 Gateway Dr., Suite 120
Palm Desert, CA 92211
- Phone:
- (760) 324-2027
- Fax:
- (760) 324-2632
- Email:
- PalmDesert@abc.ca.gov
Redding
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1900 Churn Creek Rd., Suite 215
Redding, CA 96002
- Phone:
- (530) 224-4830
- Fax:
- (530) 224-9338
- Email:
- Redding@abc.ca.gov
Riverside
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3737 Main Street, Suite 900
Riverside, CA 92501
- Phone:
- (951) 782-4400
- Fax:
- (951) 781-0531
- Email:
- Riverside@abc.ca.gov
Sacramento
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2400 Del Paso Road, Suite 155
Sacramento, CA 95834
- Phone:
- (916) 419-1319
- Fax:
- (916) 419-3994
- Email:
- Sacramento@abc.ca.gov
Salinas
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1137 Westridge Parkway
Salinas, CA 93907
- Phone:
- (831) 755-1990
- Fax:
- (831) 755-1997
- Email:
- Salinas@abc.ca.gov
San Diego
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8620 Spectrum Center Blvd., Suite 302
San Diego, CA 92123
- Phone:
- (858) 300-6855
- Fax:
- (858) 300-6874
- Email:
- SanDiego@abc.ca.gov
San Francisco
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33 New Montgomery St., Suite 1230
San Francisco, CA 94105
- Phone:
- (415) 356-6500
(415) 356-6501
(415) 356-6502
(415) 356-6503 - Fax:
- (415) 356-6599
- Email:
- SanFrancisco@abc.ca.gov
San Jose
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224 Airport Parkway, Suite 620
San Jose, CA 95110
- Phone:
- (408) 346-2417
- Fax:
- (408) 346-2413
- Email:
- SanJose@abc.ca.gov
San Luis Obispo
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3220 S. Higuera St., Suite 103A
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
- Phone:
- (805) 543-7183
- Fax:
- (805) 543-3814
- Email:
- SanLuisObispo@abc.ca.gov
San Marcos
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570 Rancheros Drive, Suite 240
San Marcos, CA 92069
- Phone:
- (760) 471-4237
- Fax:
- (760) 471-6142
- Email:
- SanMarcos@abc.ca.gov
Santa Ana
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2 MacArthur Place, Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92707
- Phone:
- (657) 205-3533
- Fax:
- (657) 205-3520
- Email:
- SantaAna@abc.ca.gov
Santa Rosa
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50 D Street, Room 130
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
- Phone:
- (707) 576-2165
- Fax:
- (707)527-9537
- Email:
- SantaRosa@abc.ca.gov
Van Nuys
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6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Room 220
Van Nuys, CA 91401
- Phone:
- (818) 901-5017
- Fax:
- (818) 785-6731
- Email:
- VanNuys@abc.ca.gov
Ventura
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1000 South Hill Road, Suite 310
Ventura, CA 93003
- Phone:
- (805) 289-0100
- Fax:
- (805) 289-0110
- Email:
- Ventura@abc.ca.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the protest window start?
30 days after mailing notices or 30 days after notice is posted on premises, which ever is later. The 30 day window is open and starts the next day to allow the public as much time as possible for a full 30 days to occur.
Can my protest remain anonymous?
A copy of all valid and verified protests (Form ABC-510-A) and Protestant’s/Complainant’s Declaration (Form ABC-128) will be provided to the applicant as part of the licensing process. All protests submitted to the ABC are public records and open to inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Gov. Code section 6254 et seq.).
How can I get more information about a pending application?
You can contact the district office mentioned on the notice or mailing, or contact your local ABC district office for assistance.
Are all alcoholic license applications open for protests?
Person to person transfers of an existing license cannot be protested by the public, all applicants go through a background check to ensure they are qualified to transfer the license.
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