businesses - regulatory agencies

Businesses with licenses to sell alcoholic beverages are usually regulated by a state agency.

In California, liquor licenses are issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, commonly referred to as the ABC.

The ABC has an online database you can search by the name of an individual or business to get information on liquor licenses. Go to the:

ABC License Query System

In California, transfers of liquor licenses from one individual or establishment to another also are filed with a county recorder's office. These are often called notices of intent to sell alcoholic beverages, and you can view them at a county recorder's office.