Time is Running Out to Renew Expired New Jersey Liquor Licenses

The time period to renew an expired New Jersey alcoholic beverage license is rapidly coming to a close and will end on November 8, 2010. Under a provision of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, N.J.S.A. 33:1-1 et seq., enacted earlier this year, a person holding an expired license, which was not renewed within the five years prior to May 6, 2010, may file for renewal of that license provided that (i) the applicant pay all renewal fees for the years in which timely renewals were not filed, and (ii) the applicant’s failure to apply for a renewal during that period was due to circumstances beyond his control or due to other extraordinary circumstances.

Prior to the passage of this provision, an applicant holding an expired license could file for a renewal only for one year following the expiration of the license renewal period for the license. The provision in question, P.L. 2010, c. 14, § 1, is codified at N.J.S.A. 33:1-12.18.