Local:

To transfer an existing Conditional Use Permit or Alcohol Exemption from the former business, apply for an "Alcohol Determination" and complete page 5 of the Administrative Permit Application. Contact City Planning for further assistance.

NOTE: As of June, 2020, there is an Interim Zoning Ordinance in place that changes and relaxes certain rules for food establishments serving liquor that get an Alcohol Exemption permit. Rather than applying to transfer an existing Conditional Use Permit or Alcohol Exemption, the operator may decide to apply for the updated Alcohol Exemption Permit if it finds those rules more favorable. The changes made to the Alcohol Exemption Permit and process to apply are as follows:

If you are an establishment that serves food on the Promenade, the west side of 4th Street between Broadway and Wilshire, or the east side of 2nd Street between Broadway and Wilshire, and you'd like the following changes to restrictions on serving alcohol to apply to your establishment rather than the existing permit, complete this application. This means you will opt into the new Alcohol Exemption Permit in place of the existing permit (either the previous version of the Alcohol Exemption Permit or a Conditional Use Permit). The changes include:

Alcohol may be served from 8 AM to 2 AM, seven days per week, with some food service (on-site kitchen, partnerships with off-site food establishments, delivery) available until at least 10 PM.
A longstanding local cap on alcohol sales at 35% of an outlet's gross revenues has been eliminated.
Limits on the number of television screens and video or other amusement games have been removed.
Live entertainment, including dancing, is allowed.
Sales of alcohol for off-premise consumption is permitted if allowed under the operator's ABC license, even after emergency orders are lifted.
The complete set of updated rules are listed here.

If you are a restaurant in Downtown and not on the streets listed above, and you'd like the following changes to restrictions on serving alcohol to apply to your establishment rather than the existing permit, complete this application to opt into the new Alcohol Exemption Permit in place of the existing permit (either the previous version of the Alcohol Exemption Permit or a Conditional Use Permit). This means you will opt into the new Alcohol Exemption Permit in place of your existing permit (either the previous version of the Alcohol Exemption Permit or a Conditional Use Permit). The changes include:

Alcohol may be served from 8 AM to 12 AM, seven days per week.
A longstanding local cap on alcohol sales at 35% of an outlet's gross revenues has been eliminated.
Sales of alcohol for off-premise consumption is permitted if allowed under the operator's ABC license, even after emergency orders are lifted.
The complete set of updated rules are listed here.

State:

If the previous tenant had a state liquor license and last operated in the space less than one year ago, this license may be transferred to the new business. The new business must apply for a transfer. Start by contacting the Alcohol Beverage Control Board local district office.

Time estimate for a license transfer: average of 75 days

Resources

Guide to Opening a Business in Downtown Santa Monica

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