Glossary of dllc Terms

ACQUISITION OF CONTROL - When a person other than the original licensee acquires control of a license or licensee, notice shall be filed with the department within 30-days after the acquisition, and the newly controlling person is subject to a background check. A.R.S. §4-203(F,H)

ACT OF VIOLENCE - An incident in which one or more of the following occurs:

1. Obvious bodily injuries are sustained.
2. Disorderly conduct of sufficient intensity to require a peace officer to restore order.
3. A weapon is displayed or used.

An "act of violence" must be reported to either the Department of Liquor or the local law enforcement agency within seven (7) days. A.R.S. §4-101(1) and (30), A.R.S. §4-210(A), A.R.S. §4-244(37); A.A.C. R19-1-505.

AGENT - A person who is designated by an applicant or licensee to receive communication from the department and to file documents and sign documents for filing with the department on behalf of the applicant or licensee. An agent must meet the qualifications of a licensee, except that an agent for an out-of-state licensee need not be a resident of Arizona. An agent is not a manager .A.R.S. §4-202(A).

AGENT CHANGE - Notice of a change of agent shall be filed with the department within thirty (30) days after such a change. The fee for this is $100.00; except that, if a licensee holds multiple licenses, each additional notice of agent change shall be $50.00. A.R.S. §4-202(C), A.R.S. §4-209(H).

ALCOHOL - See SPIRITUOUS LIQUOR A.R.S. §4-101(32).

B.A.C. – Blood Alcohol Content. What police officers use to determine how much alcohol is in a person’s bloodstream. 

BROKEN PACKAGE - Any container of liquor on which the U.S. tax seal has been broken or removed, or from which the manufacturer's cap, cork or seal has been removed. A.R.S. §4-101(6).

Co-Op - A retail cooperative consisting of 2 or more retail licensees.  A.R.S. §4-222, A.R.S. §4-227, A.A.C. R19-1-203, and A.A.C. R19-1-402.

C.U.B. – Covert Underage Buyer or also known as decoys. These covert inspections are designed to check the compliance of the business, after receiving a complaint.   

DISORDERLY CONDUCT -  A person commits "disorderly conduct" when, with intent to disturb the peace or quiet, they:

1. Engage in fighting, violent or seriously disruptive behavior; or
2. Make unreasonable noise; or
3. Use abusive or offensive language or gestures to any person present in a manner likely to provoke immediate physical retaliation by such person; or
4. Make commotion, utterance or display with the intent to prevent the transaction of the business of a lawful meeting, gathering or procession; or
5. Refuse to obey a lawful order to disperse issued to maintain public safety in dangerous proximity to a fire, a hazard or any other emergency; or
6. Recklessly handle, display or discharge a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

A.R.S. § 13-2904(A) 

DRAM SHOP – This is a legal term used to refer to any business, where alcoholic beverages are sold. This term is used to refer to the laws governing the liability of the businesses that serve alcoholic beverages. These laws outline the liability of the establishments stemming from the sale of alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons, who subsequently cause death or injury to a third-party.  

EMPLOYEE - Any person who performs a service on a licensed premises on a full-time, part-time or contract basis with the consent of the licensee. This does not include a person exclusively on the premises for musical or vocal performances, for repair or maintenance, or to deliver goods to the licensee. A.R.S. §4-101(15)

EMPLOYEE LOG - Each licensed retail business with on-premises consumption privileges must maintain, on site, a log of all persons employed at the licensed location. The log must include each employee's full legal name, birth date, home address, and list of responsibilities. A.R.S. §4-119

INTERIM PERMIT / OR IP - A conditional permit that allows the sale of liquor to continue while a liquor application is processed. For this permit to be issued, the following conditions must apply:

1. an application for a transfer or new license has been submitted to the Department of Liquor,
2. the application is for the same license series at the same location and the current license was surrendered as required by the Department of Liquor,
3. the Director has good cause to believe the current licensee is no longer in possession of the licensed premises.

Should the interim permit expire prior to the new license being issued, it is the responsibility of the applicant to request a second interim permit. A.R.S. §4-203.01

INTOXICATED - See "Obviously Intoxicated"

LAWFULL HOURS – See “Serving Hours”

LEGAL DRINKING AGE - Age 21 or older. A.R.S. §4-244(16).

LICENSED PREMISES - The area a licensee is authorized to sell, dispense, or serve liquor allowed by the type of license in use. Premises or licensed premises may include a patio area approved by the Director. A.R.S. § 4-202(26)

LIQUOR - See "spirituous liquor".

LIQUOR BOARD –See “State Liquor Board”

NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE – Any beverage that contains less than one-half of one percent (.05%) of alcohol by volume. These beverages are not regulated by the Arizona Department of Liquor and may be served/sold by any business. 

OVEIOUSLY INTOXICATED- Inebriated to the extent that a person's physical faculties are substantially impaired and the impairment is shown by significantly uncoordinated physical action or significant physical dysfunction that would have been obvious to a reasonable person. A.R.S. §4-244(14) and A.R.S. §4-311(D)

PREMISES – The area a licensee is authorized to sell, dispense, or serve liquor allowed by the license in use. Premises or licensed premises may include a patio area approved by the Director. A.R.S. § 4-202(26)

SERVING HOURS - Liquor may be sold between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. 7 days per week, including Sundays and election days. Unfinished beverages containing liquor must be cleared away from the on-site consumer by 2:30 A.M. A.R.S. §4-244(15) and (17).

SPIRITUOUS  LIQUOR - Alcohol, brandy, whiskey, rum, tequila, mescal, gin, wine, porter, ale, beer, any malt liquor or malt beverage, absinthe, a compound or mixture of any of them or of any of them with any vegetable or other substance, alcohol bitters, bitters containing alcohol, any liquid mixture or preparation, whether patented or otherwise, which produces intoxication, fruits preserved in ardent spirits, and beverages containing more than one half of one per cent of alcohol by volume. A.R.S. §4-101(32)

STATE LIQUOR BOARD - Separate from the Arizona Department of Liquor, the Arizona State Liquor Board consists of 7 members appointed by the Governor for 3-year terms. Board members are authorized to grant or deny a liquor license should an application be protested by the public, the local government, or the Department of Liquor. The Board reaches a decision to grant or deny a license after the applicant and the protesting party have the opportunity to present their case at a Board Hearing. A.R.S. §4-101(4), A.R.S. §4-111(A)- (F), A.R.S. §4-112(37)(A)- (F), A.A.C. R19-1-701 - 705

UNDERAGE – See “Legal Drinking age”