Limited Special Occasion Permit to Possess and Consume Alcohol
You may need an ABC limited special occasion permit for your company party this holiday season. In North Carolina it is lawful to possess and consume alcohol at home, at the residence of another person with their consent, at a non-commercial property that is not open to the public during the event with the property owner’s consent, or at an establishment with a brown-bagging permit. The privilege to possess and consume alcohol does not extend to property used for commercial purposes without a North Carolina ABC permit. (NCGS 18B-301). A violation of this possession and consumption law is a class 1 misdemeanor. Age is not a factor here.
If your company is hosting a holiday party and serving alcohol, you may need to obtain a limited special occasion permit. The application for this permit must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the event occurrence, and there are certain requirements for the applicant. With the limited special occasion permit, alcohol may be lawfully possessed and consumed. Alcohol may not be sold under this permit, and tips should not be collected. Also, the limited special occasions permit does nothing to change the minimum age requirement, of course. Anyone possessing or consuming alcohol must still be 21 years or older.
Alcohol possession and consumption laws are valid throughout the year, not just during peak holiday season. Anytime your company is hosting its own event and serving alcohol, it is a good idea to consult with an attorney to make sure you are complying with applicable regulations and permitting requirements.
Event space or other establishments that regularly serve alcohol likely already have the requisite permits in place. You might want to confirm on the front end, though, before getting into the holiday spirit.
Written by Landon White.