Liquor Licenses

The City, in accordance with state law, issues licenses for the sale and distribution of alcohol within the city limits. There are many types of licenses, each with its own guidelines and criteria. Applications must be complete and submitted to the City Clerk. Below you will find information specific to each type of liquor license, including:

 

When applying for a first time business liquor licenses, a background check must also be completed. Please complete the background check form and submit it along with your completed application. Fees can be determined by contacting the City Clerk's office at 218-846-7128

 

Community & Other Events: If you are organizing a community event, and plan to serve/sell alcohol, you will need to obtain a temporary license through the City of Detroit Lakes. The license required will depend on the type of alcohol you intend to provide and location of the event. Your organization must meet eligibility requirements for the specific type of license for which you intend to apply.  Choose from the licenses listed below to review the criteria for each and the process to obtain a license for your event.  

Types of temporary licenses:

 

Applications are considered for approval by City Council on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, once approved, applications will be processed and issued within 2-3 business days.