Starting a new business can be an extremely stressful time in your life. Here are some helpful tips for the initial inspection process. These checklists should provide for a smoother process for all involved.
On-Sale Initial Inspection
A retailer's "on-sale" permit shall be issued to any person engaged in the sale of beer where the beer is to be consumed by the purchaser or guests upon the premises of the seller. An on-premise beer permit may be issued to regularly conducted hotels or motels and to regularly incorporated clubs and lodges in which places beer may be sold and consumed by the purchaser when a retailer's on-sale permit has been issued for the premises.
- Distances (applies to new locations and those previously exempted by a council resolution)
- Seating (must have seating for 16 or more in place at the time of inspection)
- Adequate toilet facilities, handwashing facilities, including hot and cold running water, for use by customers
- Kitchen appliances on premises that are operational (minimum requirement is a microwave; if using gas appliances, puff test must be completed prior to our inspection)
- Food (must be on premises or date when such food will be available)
- Mechanisms to store beer on premises that are operational (includes coolers, beer tubs, shelves, or draft beer already set up – whichever may apply to your specific location)
- Exterior decks, patios or beer storage facilities to include location and particulars. Example – A patio is contiguous to the building, contained, located to the left of the main entrance, and is operated by the applicant
- Must provide a valid business phone number, email address and hours of operation
Important: Any of the requirements above must be in place at the time of inspection or the Inspector will fail the inspection. Gas must be on and pilot light lit for the inspector upon arrival!
Off-Sale Initial Inspection
A retailer's "off-sale" permit shall be issued to any person engaged in the sale of beer for consumption and not resale where the beer sold is not to be consumed by the purchaser upon or near the premises of such seller.
- Distances (applies to new locations and those previously exempted by a council resolution)
- Mechanisms to store beer are on premises and operational (coolers, beer tubs, shelves, or draft beer already set up, as may apply to your specific location)
- Posting of required beer signage
- Applicant shall make inspector aware of any exterior beer storage facilities
- Must provide a valid business phone number, email address and hours of operation
- Applicant and inspector shall discuss the following rules:
Rule 3.02 Minimum Age Restrictions
No person under 18 years of age shall transport, possess, sell or dispense beer or other beverages with an alcoholic content of eight (8%) percent or less by weight.
Rule 3.03 Off-Sale Permittee
An off-sale beer permittee shall sell beer only in commercially sealed containers. In the event that the off-sale beer permittee desires to commercially seal the containers containing beer on said permittee's premises, said permittee shall seal the containers in an area separate from the area which is used by the public. The presence of a non- commercially sealed or unsealed container containing beer within an area of the off-sale beer permittee's premises which are used by the public is strictly prohibited. The presence of a non-commercially sealed or unsealed container containing beer within an area of the off-sale beer permittee's premises which are used by the public creates a presumption that the off-sale beer permittee is selling beer for on-premises consumption.
Rule 3.04 Restrictions On Drive-Through Or Delivery Windows
Beer shall not be sold through any drive-through or delivery window or by curb service by any retail establishment possessing an on-premises or off-premises beer sale permit.
Rule 3.05 Restrictions On Deliveries
No permittee nor any of his/her agents shall deliver beer from a business establishment to the home or any other location of the consumer where the sale and delivery of beer and/or other goods are made simultaneously at the location of the consumer.
Mobile Vehicles Initial Inspection
"Mobile beer permit" means a retailer's on-sale permit issued by the metropolitan beer permit board to a business permitted as a mobile establishment. Mobile establishments may only sell beer for on-premise consumption. Beer may be sold sealed and opened by the purchaser. Beer may be sold, served and consumed in the main office, patio or on carriages or vehicles. Mobile establishments may also hold a mobile BYO beer permit. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in Titles 6 and 12, it shall be legal for mobile establishments with a mobile beer permit to stock, provide and sell beer, and for customers to possess and consume beer on a mobile establishment with a mobile beer permit, in compliance with this Title 7.
- Distances (applies to new locations; only applies to home offices of mobile establishment)
- Vehicle meets all requirements set forth by the Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission
- Discuss Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) sticker displayed
Wholesaler Initial Inspection
A wholesaler's permit shall be issued to each distributor, manufacturer, brewer or brewery or manufacturer's branch selling beer only directly to retailers.
- Distances (new locations only)
- Mechanisms to store beer are on premises and operational (coolers, shelves, pallets, etc.)
Manufacturer Initial Inspection
A manufacturer's permit shall be issued to each beer manufacturer engaged in the manufacturing and storage of beer.
- Distances (applies to new locations and those previously exempted by a council resolution)
- Manufacturing equipment on premises and operational
- Mechanisms to store beer are on premises and operational (coolers, shelves, pallets, etc.)
- Must have a hydrometer on premises for future testing purposes
Special Event Inspection
A retailer's special events permit shall be issued to any person engaged in the sale of beer for consumption by the purchaser upon the premises of the seller for a specified period of time, and in conjunction with certain types of activities, including, but not limited to fairs, bazaars, and similar public or private social events.
- Have you provided a site plan? If not, do so at this time.
- Provide date(s) and time(s) of special event.
- Provide event location and containment strategy (do you foresee any distance issues?).
- From whom will you purchase or who will donate the beer (through authorized wholesalers only)?
- Describe the type of event (all ages allowed or will it be 21 and up?).
- Describe how IDs will be checked / specific location.
- Will wristbands be issued for individuals 21 and up?
- Will servers be volunteers or Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) certified? If volunteers, applicant must provide training?
- Will you offer wine or liquor? If so, have you applied for “Special Occasions” permit through Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission?
- Will "Home Brew" be allowed at event? If so, state law must be adhered to – utilization of authorized wholesalers only.
- Will adequate toilet facilities with handwashing / cleaning capabilities be available?
- Will applicant supply adequate state licensed security? What are their duties?
- Permit shall be posted during the event.
- Emergency plan and sober ride plan must be maintained.
- Provide name and phone number of contact person for event.
- Applicant must maintain invoices of beer purchases.
- Will food be provided?
Initial Inspections Not Required
Initial inspections are not required for the following beer permits:
- Curbside/Delivery (Onsale Beer Permit Required)
- Caterer (Onsale Beer Permit Required)