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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).

Get the Forms

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 district office.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.).

You can contact the district office mentioned on the notice or mailing, or contact your local ABC district office for assistance.

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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