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One-Day Special Permit (Liquor)

POLICY: Town's Policy for a "One Day Special Permit"

The Local Licensing Authorities may issue special licenses for the sale of wines and/or malt beverages to any enterprise however, special licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages may be issued to non-profit organizations only. The license is to be utilized for a single day only. 

One-day alcohol licenses are issued by the Select Board (the Local Licensing Authority for the Town of Swampscott), as provided under Chapter 138, s. 14. The sale of alcohol can refer to a cash bar, the purchase of a ticket to an event that includes an alcoholic beverage, and an event where food and drink are complimentary. 

All alcoholic beverage laws shall be observed, including but not limited to:
- MGL Chapter 138, §34, Sale or delivery of furnishing alcoholic beverages to persons under twenty-one (21),
- MGL Chapter 138, §69, Sale or delivery to intoxicated persons,
- Town General Bylaws, Article V, Section 19, Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages in Public.
 
Important: License holders must check proper identification at the time of each purchase and are required to use wrist bands and/or stamps for patrons as a safety measure.
 
Patrons shall be limited to purchasing two beverages per person, per transaction and beverages must be opened by the caterer/server at the time of purchase. Licensees shall submit a floor plan clearly identifying the areas where alcohol will be stored and served, areas where access will be restricted, entrance points, and exit points. The Select Board may attach such additional conditions and restrictions to each such One Day Special Permit as recommended by the Fire Chief or Police Chief, as it deems to be in the public interest.
 
Steps for Obtaining a One Day License
  1. Review the Town's Policy for a "One Day Special Permit"
  2. Complete the One-Day Special Permit Application
    1. Application must be submitted no later than fourteen (14) days prior to event
  3. Submit application in one of three ways
    1. in person at the Swampscott Police Department (531 Humphrey Street)
    2. via mail to the Swampscott Police Department (attn: Licensing Department)
    3. via email to licensingboard@town.swampscott.ma.us
  4. Submit $50 application fee
    1. Fee may be submitted by money order or check made payable to Town of Swampscott
  5. Contact the Board of Health (781-596-8864) regarding any other permits you may need (i.e. food) or other requirements you should be aware of related to your one-day alcohol license application

Upon receipt of the completed application and $50 license fee, the application will be added to an upcoming Select Board agenda and a decision will be made by the Board. The applicant will be advised of the decision within seven (7) days and the license will be provided to the applicant. 

ABCC Information

According to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC), Local Licensing Authorities cannot grant special licenses to:

  • any person for more than a total of thirty (30) days per calendar year
  • to any person that has an on-premises license application pending before it
  • any premises that has an alcoholic beverages license

Special licensees CANNOT purchase alcoholic beverages from a package store. Please click the following link for information pertaining to One Day Special Permits: Apply for Special License or Permit (ABCC) | Mass.gov

For additional questions, please call (781) 595-2626 or email licensingboard@town.swampscott.ma.us