Local Licenses

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, ch. 4
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-101 Authority of cities, towns and counties; population figures; number of available licenses and permits; assessment of fees.

(a) Incorporated cities, towns and counties within Wyoming shall license and regulate or prohibit the retail sale of alcoholic and malt beverages under this title. Nothing in this title prohibits a licensing authority of an incorporated city, town or county from issuing less than the total number of allowable liquor licenses or from refusing to issue any license or permit authorized by this title. (b) Population figures are based upon the official ten (10) year federal census preceding the time of application. Population figures based upon the official census shall be periodically revised by a state population estimate no later than five (5) years after the federal census publication date. (c) Population figures and estimates required by subsection (b) of this section shall be furnished to the appropriate licensing authorities within the state by the department of administration and information using population estimates from the United States bureau of the census. The maximum number of licenses and permits available for issuance by a licensing authority pursuant to the population formula provided by W.S. 12-4-201 and 12-4-413, shall be certified and distributed by the division. (d) Unless otherwise provided, the licensing authority shall uniformly assess license or permit fees annually for each particular class of license or permit.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-102 Application for licenses and permits; contents; signature and verification.

(a) Any person desiring a license or permit authorized by this title shall apply to the appropriate licensing authority. The application shall be made under oath upon a form to be prepared by the attorney general and furnished to the licensing authority. The application shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the appropriate licensing authority and shall contain the following provisions: (i) The location of the licensed building in which the applicant will sell under the license if the building is in existence at the time of application. If the building is not in existence, the location and an architect's drawing or suitable plans of the licensed building and premises to be licensed; (ii) The age and residence of the applicant, and of each applicant or partner if the application is made by more than one (1) individual or by a partnership; (iii) A disclosure of any criminal record of the applicant or any partner equal to a felony conviction under Wyoming law and of any conviction for a violation of Wyoming law relating to the sale or manufacture of alcoholic liquor or malt beverages within ten (10) years prior to the filing of the application; (iv) If the applicant is a corporation: (A) The name, age and residence of each officer, director and stockholder holding, either jointly or severally, ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding and issued capital stock of the corporation; and (B) Whether any officer, director or stockholder with ten percent (10%) or more ownership has been convicted of a violation of law as provided in paragraph (iii) of this subsection. (v) If the applicant is a limited liability company: (A) The name, age and residence of each officer, manager and member holding, either jointly or severally, ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding ownership of the limited liability company; and (B) If any officer, manager or member with ten percent (10%) or more ownership has been convicted of a violation of law as provided under paragraph (a)(iii) of this subsection. (vi) A statement indicating the financial condition and financial stability of a new applicant; (vii) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3. (viii) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3. (b) No person or partner shall have any interest, directly or indirectly, in a license or permit unless he signs and verifies the application for the license or permit. No corporation shall be granted a license or permit unless two (2) or more of the officers or directors sign and verify the application on behalf of the corporation and also verify upon their oath as individuals that the statements and provisions contained therein are true, except that if all the stock of the corporation is owned by one (1) individual then that individual may sign and verify the application and verify upon his oath that the statements and provisions contained therein are true. No limited liability company shall be granted a license or permit unless at least one (1) of the officers, managers, or if there are no officers or managers, at least one (1) of the members who is duly authorized to act on behalf of the limited liability company signs and verifies the application on behalf of the company and also verifies upon his oath that the statements and provisions contained therein are true. (c) Corporate and limited liability company licensees and permittees shall advise the licensing authority within thirty (30) days in writing of any change in the information in the application required by paragraph (a)(iv) or (v) of this section. The licensing authority shall provide the division a copy of a notification of change.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-103 Restrictions upon license or permit applicants and holders; license limitation per person.

(a) A license or permit authorized by this title shall not be held by, issued or transferred to: (i) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 50, § 2. (ii) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 50, § 2. (iii) Any person who does not own the building or hold a written lease for the period for which the license will be effective containing an agreement by the lessor that alcoholic or malt beverages may be sold upon the leased premises, except as provided by paragraph (iv) of this subsection. This paragraph shall not be interpreted to prevent the use of a resort liquor license or a resort hotel liquor license by a contractor or subcontractor as permitted by W.S. 12-4-403(b); (iv) Any licensee who fails to demonstrate that his licensed alcoholic or malt beverage enterprise will be operational in a planned but not physically functional building within one (1) year after a license or permit has been issued or transferred, or if holding a license, fails to open his business in a functional building within one (1) year after license issuance or transfer and remain operational thereafter. Upon a showing of good cause by the licensee and for an additional period of not to exceed one (1) year, the local licensing authority may extend the time period in which the business or enterprise of the licensee is required to become operational or open for business pursuant to this paragraph. Any license or permit in violation of this paragraph shall not be renewed by the local licensing authority and once the enterprise is operational or open for business, no licensee shall be eligible to repeat the grace periods made available by this paragraph without the consent of the local licensing authority due to extraordinary circumstances. For purposes of this paragraph "remain operational" means operational consecutively, in any license term year, for twelve (12) months or for not less than three (3) months if determined by the local licensing authority to be a seasonal operation; (v) Repealed By Laws 1996, ch. 122, § 3. (vi) A manufacturer of alcoholic beverages or wholesaler of malt beverages, except as authorized under W.S. 12-2-203(g) or as otherwise provided by law; (vii) A person under eighteen (18) years of age; (viii) A college fraternity or organization created by one (1) or more college fraternities; (ix) A chamber of commerce, except for twenty-four (24) hour malt beverage permits issued pursuant to W.S. 12-4-502; (x) A corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership which has not qualified to do business in Wyoming; (xi) An individual who is not a resident; or (xii) Any general partnership or group of two (2) or more persons unless each person interested, directly or indirectly, is a resident or qualified to do business in this state. (b) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3. (c) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3. (d) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-104 Publication of notice; grant or denial; renewal preference; copy of application and notice to division; judicial review.

(a) When an application for a license, permit, renewal or any transfer of location or ownership thereof has been filed with a licensing authority, the clerk shall promptly prepare a notice of application and publish the notice in a newspaper of local circulation once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks. When a county is the licensing authority, the county clerk shall also post the notice on the official website of the county in the manner provided in W.S 18-3-516(f). When a city or town is the licensing authority, the city clerk shall also post the notice on the city or town's official website if one exists. The notice shall state that a named applicant has applied for a license, permit, renewal or transfer thereof, and that protests against the issuance, renewal or transfer of the license or permit will be heard at a designated meeting of the licensing authority. Each applicant shall, at the time of filing his application, pay the clerk an amount sufficient to cover the costs of publishing notice. Notices may be substantially in the following form: NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A .... Notice is hereby given that on the .... day of .... (year) (name of applicant) filed an application for a .... license (permit), in the office of the clerk of the city (or town or county) of .... for the following building (insert address) and protests, if any there be, against the issuance (transfer or renewal) of the license (permit) will be heard at the hour of ....M., on the .... day of .... (year), in the (meeting place of the governing body). Dated .... Signed .... (b) Any license or permit authorized under this title shall not be issued, renewed or transferred until on or after the date set in the notice for hearing protests. If a renewal or transfer hearing, the hearing shall be held no later than thirty (30) days preceding the expiration date of the license or permit. A license or permit shall not be issued, renewed or transferred if the licensing authority finds from evidence presented at the hearing: (i) The welfare of the people residing in the vicinity of the proposed license or permit premises shall be adversely and seriously affected; (ii) The purpose of this title shall not be carried out by the issuance, renewal or transfer of the license or permit; (iii) The number, type and location of existing licenses or permits meet the needs of the vicinity under consideration; (iv) The desires of the residents of the county, city or town will not be met or satisfied by the issuance, renewal or transfer of the license or permit; or (v) Any other reasonable restrictions or standards which may be imposed by the licensing authority shall not be carried out by the issuance, renewal or transfer of the license or permit. (c) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 50, § 2. (d) When any application is filed with a licensing authority, the licensing authority shall immediately forward a copy of the application to the division. No licensing authority shall approve or deny an application until the division has certified the application is complete pursuant to this subsection. All applications shall be deemed to be certified unless objection is made by the division within ten (10) working days after receipt of the application. Upon approval or denial of an application, the licensing authority shall promptly notify the division. (e) An applicant for a renewal license or permit may appeal to the district court from an adverse decision by the licensing authority. No applicant for a new license shall have a right of appeal from the decision of the licensing authority denying an application. (f) Upon an appeal the person applying for renewal of a license shall be named as plaintiff, with the licensing authority named as defendant. During the pendency of an appeal, a renewal license denied by a licensing authority shall not be granted to any other applicant. Upon notice of appeal the clerk shall transmit to the clerk of the district court a certified copy of the application, of each protest if any, and of the minutes recording the decision appealed from. The appeal shall be heard as a trial de novo with evidence taken and other proceedings had as in the trial of civil actions. The court may accept and consider as part of the record certified documents forwarded to the court by the clerk of the licensing authority. The case shall be heard promptly and the procedure shall conform to the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure unless other procedures are provided for or required.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-105 Disposition of license fees; refunds prohibited.

All fees for licenses and permits issued by a licensing authority paid under this title shall be deposited into the treasury of the licensing authority. No refund of all or any part of a license fee shall be made at any time following issuance.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-106 Term of license and permit; exception.

(a) A license or permit is considered a personal privilege to the holder and the term of the license or permit is for one (1) year unless sooner revoked. When a valid license or permit is determined to be part of the estate of a deceased holder, the administrator or executor of the estate may exercise the privilege of the deceased under the license or permit until the expiration of the license or permit. (b) The term of a license or permit may be less than one (1) year if specified by the licensing authority to coincide with the annual date or dates set by the authority for consideration of license and permit issuance, renewals and transfers. A licensing authority issuing a license or permit for a term less than one (1) year shall pro-rate the annual fee accordingly. Any licensee not attempting to renew a newly issued pro-rated license or permit valid for one (1) year shall not be eligible for any license or permit authorized under this title for a period of two (2) years after the expiration date of the pro-rated license or permit.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-201 Retail liquor licenses and malt beverage permits; population formulas; fees.

(a) A retail liquor license is the authority under which a licensee is permitted to sell alcoholic liquor or malt beverages for use or consumption but not for resale, except as otherwise provided for by this section. (b) A malt beverage permit is the authority under which the licensee is permitted to sell malt beverages only. (c) Repealed by Laws 1979, ch. 156, § 4. (d) The number of retail liquor licenses issued shall be based on the following population formula: (i) Not more than two (2) licenses in incorporated towns of five hundred (500) population or less; (ii) Not more than one (1) additional license for each additional five hundred (500) population or major fraction thereof in incorporated cities or towns up to a population of nine thousand five hundred (9,500); (iii) Not more than one (1) additional license for each additional full three thousand (3,000) population over nine thousand five hundred (9,500); and (iv) Retail liquor licenses issued to commercial service airports in incorporated cities or towns shall be exempt from the number restrictions in paragraphs (i) through (iii) of this subsection. (e) The license fee to be assessed for a retail liquor license shall be not less than three hundred dollars ($300.00) nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) payable annually in advance. (f) Retail liquor licenses and malt beverage permits may be granted by the county commissioners as the appropriate licensing authority in a county outside of incorporated cities and towns as follows: (i) One (1) retail liquor license issued for each five hundred (500) population residing outside cities and towns; but (ii) No more than three (3) retail liquor licenses issued for locations within five (5) miles of the corporate limits of a city or town. Retail liquor licenses issued to commercial service airports in a county shall be exempt from this paragraph; and (iii) Malt beverage permits may be issued for county locations without regard to population. (g) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3. (h) The license fee assessed by a county for malt beverage permits shall be not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00). (j) Licensees authorized to sell alcoholic liquors at retail may purchase for resale not more than nine (9) liters of alcoholic liquors per week from a retail licensee authorized pursuant to this section or from the holder of a satellite manufacturer's permit under W.S. 12-2-203(g)(i). Purchases of alcoholic liquors authorized pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with the following: (i) The seller shall record on a form furnished by the division all of the following: (A) The name and signature of the licensee making the purchase; (B) The date and time of the purchase; (C) The purchaser's Wyoming state tax resale number. (ii) The form collected pursuant to paragraph (i) of this subsection shall be provided to the Wyoming state liquor division within thirty (30) days of the sale and shall be maintained by the seller of the alcoholic liquor for not less than one (1) year after the date of the sale. The form shall be available upon request for the division to inspect. (k) A retail liquor licensee may ship not more than a total of one hundred eight (108) liters of manufactured wine directly to any one (1) household in this state in any twelve (12) month period provided the licensee: (i) Ships the manufactured wine only to individuals who are at least twenty-one (21) years of age for such individual's personal use and not for resale; (ii) Ensures that all shipping containers of manufactured wine shipped pursuant to this subsection are conspicuously labeled with the words: "CONTAINS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. ADULT (OVER 21) SIGNATURE REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY"; and (iii) Ensures that all of its shipments within this state are made by a duly licensed carrier and further ensure that the carriers comply with the requirement to obtain an adult signature. (m) A commercial service airport holding a retail liquor license may contract for or otherwise subcontract any food and beverage services provided at the airport to another individual or entity without transferring the retail liquor license held by the airport under this section. Sales of alcoholic liquor or malt beverages shall only be made in the terminal building and connected concourses of the airport where persons engaged in commercial air travel transfer on and off aircraft.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-301 Sales by clubs; license fees; petition; license restrictions.

(a) Bona fide clubs as defined by W.S. 12-1-101(a)(iii) may be licensed by the appropriate licensing authority under a limited retail liquor license for which the licensee shall pay a license fee of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) annually in advance. (b) At least fifty-one percent (51%) of the membership of a social club as defined by W.S. 12-1-101(a)(iii)(E) shall sign a petition indicating a desire to secure a limited retail liquor license. The form of the petition shall be prescribed by the division and shall include the residence address of each member signing the petition. (c) Except as otherwise provided by W.S. 12-5-201(f), a club holding a limited retail license may sell alcoholic or malt beverages for consumption anywhere on the licensed premises for consumption by its members and their accompanied guests only as approved by the local licensing authority. (d) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 92, § 3. (e) A political subdivision of the state may hold no more than two (2) club limited retail liquor licenses for golf courses owned, maintained or operated by that political subdivision in addition to any other license held by that political subdivision. For purposes of this subsection, a political subdivision may contract for or otherwise subcontract the operations of a golf course or any food and beverage service associated with the golf course to another individual or entity without transferring the club limited retail liquor license held under this subsection.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-401 Resort retail liquor licenses; authorized; qualifications; provision for licenses issued prior to January 1, 1980.

(a) The appropriate licensing authority in a county, city or town may issue resort retail liquor licenses to applicants who are owners or lessees of a resort complex where the resort complex satisfies the requirements of subsection (b) of this section. (b) To qualify for a resort retail liquor license, the appropriate licensing authority shall require the resort complex to: (i) Have an actual valuation of, or the applicant shall have committed or expended on the complex, not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00), excluding the value of the land; (ii) Include a restaurant and a convention facility, which convention facility shall seat no less than one hundred (100) persons; and (iii) Include motel, hotel or privately owned condominium, town house or home accommodations approved for short term occupancy with a minimum of one hundred (100) sleeping rooms; or (A) Repealed by Laws 2015, ch. 49, § 2. (B) Repealed by Laws 2015, ch. 49, § 2. (iv) Without being required to meet the standards of paragraph (iii) of this subsection, be a ski resort facility open to the general public in which the applicant shall have committed or expended on the facility not less than ten million dollars ($10,000,000.00). (c) Nothing contained within this section shall have any effect on resort liquor licenses issued prior to January 1, 1980, or to the right or renewal of a resort liquor license.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-403 Population formula not applicable; contracting for services.

(a) The provisions authorizing resort liquor licenses and resort hotel liquor licenses shall have no application to the population formula limiting retail liquor licenses as provided by W.S. 12-4-201. (b) A resort liquor licensee or a resort hotel liquor licensee may contract or subcontract for the provision of food and beverage services on the licensed premises. However, the licensee shall remain subject to all applicable laws, rules, regulations and penalties including the provisions of W.S. 12-2-306 and 12-7-103.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-404 Sale of beverages for off-premises consumption prohibited.

Resort liquor licensees and resort hotel liquor licensees shall not sell alcoholic or malt beverages for consumption off the premises owned or leased by the licensee, except pursuant to a catering permit. The dispensing of alcoholic or malt beverages licensed to be sold hereunder shall be controlled by W.S. 12-5-201 and, if a catering permit has been issued, by W.S. 12-4-502(b).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-405 Annual fee.

The annual fee for a resort liquor license and a resort hotel liquor license shall be not less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) nor more than three thousand dollars ($3,000.00).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-407 Restaurant liquor license; authorized.

(a) Restaurants as defined by W.S. 12-1-101(a)(xiv) may be licensed by the appropriate licensing authority in counties, cities and towns under a restaurant liquor license. In addition to the application requirements required by this title, the license applicant shall submit a valid food service permit upon application. Population formulas have no application to issuance of restaurant liquor licenses within the county. (b) Repealed by Laws 1985, ch. 92, § 3. (c) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 50, § 2. (d) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-408 Revenues of licensee to be derived primarily from food services and not the sale of alcoholic beverages; annual report.

(a) An applicant for a restaurant liquor license shall satisfy the appropriate licensing authority that the primary source of revenue from the operation of the restaurant to be licensed will be derived from food services and not from the sale of alcoholic or malt beverages. (b) When renewing a restaurant liquor license, the appropriate licensing authority shall condition renewal upon a requirement that not less than sixty percent (60%) of gross sales from the preceding twelve (12) months operation of a licensed restaurant be derived from food services. (c) Upon application for license renewal, a license holder shall submit an annual report to the licensing authority on the sales of the licensed restaurant. The report shall contain the annual gross sales figures of the restaurant and shall separate the gross sales figures into two (2) categories: (i) Food service sales; and (ii) Alcoholic and malt beverage sales.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-410 Sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption prohibited; location, regulation and restrictions on dispensing of liquor; prohibiting certain activities.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, restaurant liquor licensees shall not sell alcoholic or malt beverages for off-premises consumption from the licensed building owned or leased by the licensee. Except as provided in subsections (b) and (e) of this section, alcoholic or malt beverages shall be served for on-premises consumption only in dining areas which are adequately staffed and equipped for all food services offered by the restaurant. (b) Alcoholic liquor and malt beverages shall be dispensed and prepared for consumption in the licensed building in areas approved by the local licensing authority. No consumption of alcoholic or malt beverages shall be permitted within the dispensing areas nor shall any person other than employees over eighteen (18) years of age be permitted to enter the dispensing areas. (c) All sales of alcoholic and malt beverages authorized by a restaurant liquor license shall cease at the time food sales and services cease or at the hours set pursuant to W.S. 12-5-101 if food sales and services extend beyond those hours. (d) No restaurant liquor licensee shall promote or operate the restaurant as a bar and lounge. (e) A restaurant liquor licensee may permit a patron to remove one (1) unsealed bottle of wine for off-premises consumption provided that the patron has purchased a full course meal and consumed a portion of the bottle of wine with the meal on the restaurant premises. For purposes of this subsection the term "full course meal" shall mean a diversified selection of food which is ordinarily consumed with the use of tableware and cannot conveniently be consumed while standing or walking. A partially consumed bottle of wine that is to be removed from the premises pursuant to this subsection shall be securely sealed by the licensee or an agent of the licensee and placed in a tamper-proof transparent bag which shall also be securely sealed prior to removal from the premises, so that it is visibly apparent that the resealed bottle of wine has not been tampered with. The licensee or agent of the licensee shall provide a dated receipt for the bottle of wine to the patron. Wine which is resealed in accordance with the provisions of this subsection shall not be deemed an open container for purposes of W.S. 31-5-235. (f) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-411 License fee.

The annual fee for a restaurant liquor license shall be no more than three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) and no less than five hundred dollars ($500.00).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-413 Bar and grill liquor license; authorized; requirements.

(a) Restaurants as defined by W.S. 12-1-101(a)(xiv) may be licensed by the appropriate licensing authority in counties, cities and towns under a bar and grill liquor license. In addition to the application requirements required by this title, the license applicant shall submit a valid food service permit upon application. (b) Bar and grill liquor licenses shall be issued as follows: (i) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 20, § 2. (ii) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 20, § 2. (iii) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 20, § 2. (iv) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 20, § 2. (v) Beginning July 1, 2023, the number of bar and grill liquor licenses for cities and towns shall be based on the following population formula: (A) Not more than four (4) licenses in incorporated cities or towns with populations of seven thousand five hundred (7,500) or less; (B) Not more than ten (10) licenses in incorporated cities with populations between seven thousand five hundred one (7,501) and twenty thousand (20,000); (C) Not more than fourteen (14) licenses in incorporated cities with populations between twenty thousand one (20,001) and thirty thousand (30,000); and (D) Not more than one (1) additional license for each additional five thousand (5,000) persons residing in incorporated cities over thirty thousand (30,000); (E) This paragraph is repealed effective June 30, 2028. (vi) Beginning July 1, 2028, the number of bar and grill liquor licenses for cities and towns shall be based on the following population formula: (A) Not more than six (6) licenses in incorporated cities or towns with populations of seven thousand five hundred (7,500) or less; (B) Not more than fourteen (14) licenses in incorporated cities with populations between seven thousand five hundred one (7,501) and twenty thousand (20,000); (C) Not more than eighteen (18) licenses in incorporated cities with populations between twenty thousand one (20,001) and thirty thousand (30,000); and (D) Not more than one (1) additional license for each additional three thousand (3,000) persons residing in incorporated cities over thirty thousand (30,000). (c) Bar and grill liquor licenses may be granted by the county commissioners as the appropriate licensing authority in a county outside of incorporated cities and towns as follows: (i) Repealed by Laws 2023, ch. 20, § 2. (ii) Beginning July 1, 2023, four (4) licenses for each seven thousand five hundred (7,500) persons residing outside incorporated cities and towns. This paragraph is repealed effective June 30, 2028; (iii) Beginning July 1, 2028, six (6) licenses for each seven thousand five hundred (7,500) persons residing outside incorporated cities and towns. (d) The license fee assessed for a bar and grill liquor license shall be not less than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) nor more than ten thousand five hundred dollars ($10,500.00). (e) A bar and grill liquor license shall not be sold, transferred or assigned by the holder. (f) Bar and grill liquor licensees shall not sell alcoholic or malt beverages for off-premises consumption from the licensed building owned or leased by the licensee except as allowed under this subsection. The following shall apply to sales of alcoholic and malt beverages: (i) All sales of alcoholic and malt beverages authorized by a bar and grill liquor license shall cease at the time food sales and services cease or at the hours specified by W.S. 12-5-101(a) if food sales and services extend beyond the hours specified therein; (ii) A bar and grill liquor licensee may permit a patron to remove one (1) partially consumed bottle of wine for off-premises consumption provided that the patron has purchased a full course meal and consumed a portion of the bottle of wine with the meal on the bar and grill premises. For purposes of this paragraph the term "full course meal" shall mean food which cannot conveniently be consumed while standing or walking. A partially consumed bottle of wine that is to be removed from the premises pursuant to this paragraph shall be securely sealed by the licensee or an agent of the licensee and placed in a tamper-proof transparent bag which shall also be securely sealed prior to removal from the premises, so that it is visibly apparent that the resealed bottle of wine has not been tampered with. The licensee or agent of the licensee shall provide a dated receipt for the bottle of wine to the patron. Wine which is resealed in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph shall not be deemed an open container for purposes of W.S. 31-5-235. (g) An applicant for a bar and grill liquor license shall satisfy the appropriate licensing authority that not less than sixty percent (60%) of revenue from the operation of the bar and grill to be licensed will be derived from food services, entertainment or a combination of food services and entertainment and not from the sale of alcoholic or malt beverages. (h) When renewing a bar and grill liquor license, the appropriate licensing authority shall condition renewal upon a requirement that not less than sixty percent (60%) of gross sales from the preceding twelve (12) months operation of a licensed bar and grill be derived from food services, entertainment or a combination of food services and entertainment. (j) The appropriate licensing authority shall consider the type, level and appropriateness of food services and entertainment sales proposed in each application when determining whether to issue or renew a bar and grill license. (k) Upon application for license renewal, a license holder shall submit an annual report to the licensing authority on the sales of the licensed bar and grill. The report shall contain the annual gross sales figures of the bar and grill and shall separate the gross sales figures into the following three (3) categories: (i) Food service sales; (ii) Alcoholic and malt beverage sales; (iii) Entertainment sales.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-414 Winery permits; authorized; conditions; satellite winery permits; direct shipment of wine; fees; off- premises permits.

(a) Subject to restrictions imposed under W.S. 12-4-103 excluding W.S. 12-4-103(a)(vi), a local licensing authority may issue a winery permit authorizing a permit holder to manufacture wine and dispense the manufactured wine for on-premises and limited off-premises personal consumption. (b) The local licensing authority: (i) May allow the sale of other wines under a winery permit for on-premises consumption when obtained from the division; (ii) May allow the winery to sell its manufactured wine on site for off-premises personal consumption, not for retail sale, in packaging of bottles of an aggregate volume not to exceed two thousand twenty-eight (2,028) ounces per sale; (iii) In accordance with the process established under article 1 of this chapter, may allow the transfer of a winery permit to another location and ownership of the winery may be transferred upon approval by the local licensing authority; (iv) Shall assess a fee of not less than three hundred dollars ($300.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) payable annually in advance for each winery permit. When dual ownership of a winery permit and a liquor license exists, no additional fee shall be assessed other than the retail, restaurant, bar and grill, resort hotel or resort license fee. (c) W.S. 12-4-410 shall apply to any person holding a winery permit and a restaurant liquor license and W.S. 12-4-413 shall apply to any person holding a winery permit and a bar and grill liquor license, except that either dual holder: (i) May sell the manufactured wine for limited off-premises personal consumption pursuant to paragraph (b)(ii) of this section; (ii) May upon cessation of full service restaurant operations, serve a limited menu and continue to serve wines authorized under the winery permit; (iii) Shall not include sales of wines authorized under the winery permit, or sales other than food service and alcoholic beverages, in the annual gross sales report required under W.S. 12-4-408(c). (d) A local licensing authority may issue to the holder of a winery permit under this section a satellite winery permit which allows the permittee to sell wine manufactured at the site identified on the manufacturer's license at up to three (3) satellite locations within Wyoming separate from its licensed manufacturing site under the original permit fee. The satellite winery permit may be issued on application to the appropriate licensing authority. The local licensing authority may require a public hearing and the payment of an additional permit fee not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) regardless of the number of satellite locations. The satellite winery permit shall be subject to the terms and conditions of W.S. 12-4-106, the schedule of operating hours set pursuant to W.S. 12-5-101 and the licensed building provisions of W.S. 12-5-201. (e) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(ii) of this section and W.S. 12-5-201, any person holding a winery permit as provided by this section, may sell and ship its manufactured wine which is not listed with the liquor division as part of its inventory and distribution operation to any Wyoming retail establishment which holds a liquor license in this state. (f) Any licensed winery holding a winery permit pursuant to this section shall: (i) Not ship more than a total of one hundred eight (108) liters of its manufactured wine to any one (1) household in this state during any twelve (12) month period; (ii) Offer to sell its manufactured wine to the liquor division at wholesale prices if the winery ships more than ninety (90) liters total of any of its manufactured wine to any combination of households or licensed retailers in this state; (iii) Ship its manufactured wine only to individuals who are at least twenty-one (21) years of age for such individual's personal use and not for resale; (iv) Ensure that all shipping containers of manufactured wine shipped pursuant to this section are conspicuously labeled with the words: "CONTAINS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. ADULT (OVER 21) SIGNATURE REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY"; (v) Ensure that all of its shipments within this state are made by a duly licensed carrier and further ensure that such carriers comply with the requirement to obtain an adult signature; (vi) File a monthly report of wines shipped out of state on a form provided by the liquor division and include a copy of the invoice for each shipment of their own manufactured wine subject to the following: (A) The report shall be filed with the liquor division not later than the tenth day of each month following the month in which the shipment was made; (B) Any report filed late with the liquor division shall be subject to a late filing fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00). (vii) Maintain records for at least three (3) years that will permit the liquor division to ascertain the truthfulness of the information filed and permit the division to perform an audit of the licensee's records upon reasonable request. (g) The local licensing authority may issue to a winery permit holder an off-premises wine permit for the purpose of selling its own manufactured wine at meetings, conventions, private parties, dinners and other similar gatherings to promote the holder's product. No permittee holding an off-premises wine permit shall sell or permit consumption of any of their manufactured product off the premises described in the permit. An off-premises wine permit shall be issued for one (1) twenty-four (24) hour period, subject to the schedule of operating hours set pursuant to W.S. 12-5-101. No holder of a wine permit shall receive more than twelve (12) off-premises wine permits in any one (1) calendar year. An off-premises wine permit may be issued on application to the appropriate licensing authority. The local licensing authority may require payment of an additional permit fee of not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) per twenty-four (24) hour period. (h) The holder of a winery permit under this section may also hold a manufacturer's license under W.S. 12-2-203(a).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-415 Microbrewery permits; authorized; conditions; fees.

(a) Subject to restrictions imposed under W.S. 12-4-103 excluding W.S. 12-4-103(a)(vi), a local licensing authority may issue a microbrewery permit authorizing a permit holder to brew a malt beverage and dispense the brewed malt beverage for on-premises and limited off-premises personal consumption. Notwithstanding W.S. 12-5-201 and for the purposes of this subsection, "on-premises" may include a fenced or enclosed area immediately adjacent to the licensed brewing site as approved by the local licensing authority. The dispensing of malt beverages in an immediately adjacent area authorized by this paragraph shall be subject to the schedule of operating hours set pursuant to W.S. 12-5-101. Any microbrewery permit holder shall: (i) File a monthly report of brewed malt beverage the permit holder produced on a form provided by the liquor division. The report shall be filed with the liquor division not later than the tenth day of each month following the month in which the brewed malt beverage was produced. Any report filed late with the liquor division shall be subject to a late filing fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00); (ii) Maintain records for at least three (3) years that will permit the liquor division to ascertain the truthfulness of the information filed and permit the division to perform an audit of the licensee's records upon reasonable request. (b) The local licensing authority: (i) May allow the sale of malt beverage obtained through a contract brewing arrangement and other malt beverages under a microbrewery permit for on-premises consumption when obtained through licensed wholesale malt beverage distributors; (ii) May allow the microbrewery to sell on site its brewed product and its malt beverage obtained through a contract brewing arrangement for off-premises personal consumption, not for retail sale, in packaging of bottles, cans or packs of an aggregate volume not to exceed two thousand (2,000) ounces per sale; (iii) In accordance with the process established under article 1 of this chapter, may allow the transfer of a microbrewery permit to another location and ownership of the microbrewery may be transferred upon approval by the local licensing authority; and (iv) Shall assess a fee of not less than three hundred dollars ($300.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) payable annually in advance for each microbrewery permit. When dual ownership of a microbrewery permit and a liquor license exists, no additional fee shall be assessed other than the retail, restaurant, bar and grill, resort hotel or resort license fee. (c) W.S. 12-4-410 shall apply to any person holding a microbrewery permit and a restaurant liquor license and W.S. 12-4-413 shall apply to any person holding a microbrewery permit and a bar and grill liquor license, except that either dual holder: (i) May sell the brewed malt beverage for limited off-premises personal consumption pursuant to paragraph (b)(ii) of this section; (ii) May upon cessation of full service restaurant operations, serve a limited menu and continue to serve malt beverages authorized under the microbrewery permit; (iii) Shall not include sales of malt beverages authorized under the microbrewery permit, or sales other than food service and alcoholic beverages, in the annual gross sales report required under W.S. 12-4-408(c). (d) A local licensing authority may authorize a microbrewery to operate at more than one (1) location. The local licensing authority may require the payment of an additional permit fee not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) regardless of the number of locations authorized for the microbrewery. All locations shall be subject to all provisions of this title related to the operation of a microbrewery. (e) The holder of a microbrewery permit under this section may also hold a manufacturer's license under W.S. 12-2-203(a).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-416 Resort hotel liquor licenses; authorized; requirements.

(a) The appropriate licensing authority in a county, city or town may issue resort hotel liquor licenses to applicants who are owners or lessees of a resort hotel that satisfies all requirements specified in subsection (b) of this section. (b) To qualify for a resort hotel liquor license under this section, the appropriate licensing authority shall require the resort hotel to: (i) Have an actual valuation of, or the applicant shall commit to expend or have actually expended on the resort hotel, not less than five million dollars ($5,000,000.00). Any valuation under this paragraph shall include the value of the land on which the resort hotel is located; (ii) Include a full-service restaurant that shall be open during regular business hours. At the discretion of the appropriate licensing authority, variances to this time requirement may be granted on a seasonal basis. As used in this paragraph, "full-service restaurant" means a restaurant where waiters deliver food and drink offered from a printed food menu to patrons at tables or booths and that has a dining room or rooms, kitchen and the number and kind of employees necessary for the preparing, cooking and serving of meals; (iii) Include within the resort hotel not less than twenty (20) sleeping rooms for short-term occupancy; (iv) Provide dining services to guest rooms for not less than twelve (12) hours each day; and (v) Provide facilities for business meetings that can accommodate not less than fifty (50) participants.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-501 Malt beverage permit for University of Wyoming; fee; rules and regulations.

(a) Upon an application to the city of Laramie for a malt beverage permit, the city shall issue a special malt beverage permit to the board of trustees of the University of Wyoming for sale of malt beverages drawn only from kegs at the student union on the campus of the University of Wyoming. The issuance of a malt beverage permit shall not be considered an alcoholic beverage permit issued on the basis of population as provided in W.S. 12-4-201. (b) The fee for the permit provided by subsection (a) of this section is one hundred dollars ($100.00). (c) The board of trustees of the University of Wyoming shall provide rules and regulations for the following: (i) Locations in which malt beverages may be sold; (ii) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 63, § 2. (iii) The hours and days of the operation of the licensed building, which shall be within the following limits: (A) Monday through Thursday, 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; (B) Friday, 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight; (C) Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight. (iv) Whether food may be sold in the licensed building; (v) A uniform procedure of age identification for all purchasers; (vi) Locations within the student union where malt beverages may be consumed; and (vii) Such other rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. (d) Repealed By Laws 2001, Ch. 105, § 2. (e) The board of trustees may prohibit dispensing malt beverages by any seller designated under paragraph (c)(iv) of this section, for any period less than ninety (90) days, upon information that violations of state law have occurred.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-502 Twenty-four hour malt beverage permit and catering permit; restrictions; application procedure; fees.

(a) A malt beverage permit authorizing the sale of malt beverages only may be issued by the appropriate licensing authority to any responsible person or organization for sales at a picnic, bazaar, fair, rodeo, special holiday or similar public gathering. No person or organization holding the special permit shall sell any alcoholic liquor other than malt beverages on the premises described on the permit, nor shall any malt beverage be sold or consumed off the premises authorized by the permit. Malt beverage permits under this subsection shall not be used to operate a continuing business. (b) A catering permit authorizing the sale of alcoholic and malt beverages may be issued by the appropriate licensing authority to any person holding a retail or resort retail liquor license authorizing the off-premises sale of both alcoholic and malt beverages, for sales at events not capable of being held within the licensee's licensed premises. No licensee holding a catering permit shall sell or permit consumption of any alcoholic or malt beverage off the premises described in the permit. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, closed-container items sold at auction for the benefit of a nonprofit organization may be taken off-premises. Catering permits under this subsection shall not be used to operate a continuing business. (c) The permits authorized by this section shall be issued for one (1) twenty-four (24) hour period, subject to the schedule of operating hours set pursuant to W.S. 12-5-101. No person or organization shall receive more than a total of twelve (12) malt beverage and thirty-six (36) catering permits for sales at the same premises in any one (1) year. (d) The malt beverage permit and the catering permit shall be issued on application to the appropriate licensing authority without public notice or hearing. An application for a malt beverage permit or catering permit under this section shall be accompanied by a designation of the event for which the application is sought specifying the type of event and the name of the sponsor. Any applicant applying for a permit authorized by this section and having licensed premises located within a jurisdiction other than that jurisdiction to which application is made, shall secure the written approval of the licensing authority of that jurisdiction in which the licensed premises are located prior to filing an application for a permit. (e) The fee for the malt beverage permit and the catering permit shall be not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) per twenty-four (24) hour period, payable to the appropriate licensing authority.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-504 Special malt beverage permit for public auditoriums, civic centers or events centers.

(a) The appropriate licensing authority in a county, city or town may issue a special malt beverage permit to any responsible person or organization for sales of malt beverages at public auditoriums, civic centers or events centers. The licensing authority shall establish an appropriate fee for the permit. Additionally, the licensing authority shall specify the duration of the permit and where malt beverages may be sold and consumed under the permit. The issuing body may provide rules to implement this section. (b) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 50, § 2. (c) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 50, § 2. (d) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 50, § 2. (e) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 50, § 2; ch. 63, § 2.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-505 Malt beverage permit for annual state fair.

(a) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3. (b) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3. (c) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 63, § 2.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-507 Malt beverage permit for events conducted at rodeo arenas.

(a) Upon application and upon submission of a reasonable malt beverage sales and control plan mutually agreeable to the applicant and the licensing authority, the appropriate licensing authority shall issue a special malt beverage permit for the sale of malt beverages only at events conducted on the grounds of an indoor or outdoor rodeo with a total seating capacity of over seven thousand five hundred (7,500). The permit may be issued without public notice or hearing. An application for a permit under this section shall be accompanied by a designation of the event for which the application is sought specifying the type of event and the name of the sponsor. The malt beverages shall be served only on grounds contiguous or immediately adjacent to the arena in areas specifically designated by the permittee and approved by the licensing authority. Contiguous or adjacent grounds shall be fenced or otherwise enclosed as approved by the licensing authority. The issuance of a malt beverage permit under this subsection shall not be considered an alcoholic beverage permit issued on the basis of population as provided in W.S. 12-4-201. Malt beverages shall only be sold for consumption under a permit issued under this section during the dates of an event. W.S. 12-5-201 shall not apply to this section. (b) The fee for a permit issued under subsection (a) of this section shall be established by rule of the licensing authority but shall not exceed two (2) times the maximum fee provided for twenty-four (24) hour permits under W.S. 12-4-502(e) for each day of the event. (c) A licensing authority may adopt rules to implement this section provided: (i) Permit fees may be graduated based upon expected attendance at the event; (ii) No permittee shall be assessed any additional fee by a licensing authority for the issuance of a special malt beverage permit under this section. Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a licensing authority from: (A) Negotiating with a permittee for the voluntary payment of costs incurred by the licensing authority related to the permitted event; or (B) Recouping costs incurred by the licensing authority related to the permitted event to which the licensing authority is otherwise entitled under Wyoming law.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-601 Transfer of license location; transfer of ownership; fee.

(a) After public hearing and with the approval of the licensing authority, a license or permit may be transferred to or renewed on different premises on the same basis as the original application. An additional license fee of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) is required for the remaining term of the license or permit. A transferred license or permit shall expire on the same date as the original license or permit. (b) A licensee, or the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased licensee, may assign and transfer the license or permit by a sale made in good faith. The assignment and transfer shall first have the approval of the licensing authority, which consideration shall be based in part upon a public hearing and an application filed under oath by the assignee or transferee showing the person or entity to be qualified to hold a license or permit under Wyoming law. The approval of the transfer shall not be given by the licensing authority if the transferring licensee is certified by the department as sixty (60) or more days delinquent in paying sales taxes pursuant to W.S. 12-2-306, or if proceedings are pending to suspend, revoke or otherwise penalize the original license or permit holder. A transfer of a license or permit shall require the payment of an additional license fee to the appropriate licensing authority of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the transfer, and upon assignment the assignee may exercise the privilege of continuing the business authorized by the license or permit.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-602 Annexations; transfer of licensing jurisdiction; licenses transferred exempt from population formula.

(a) The licensed premises of a license issued by a county which is located within an area annexed into the corporate limits of a city or town shall be transferred to the licensing jurisdiction of that city or town. (b) Any transfer of jurisdiction provided within this section shall not require the payment of any additional fee for the transfer. (c) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3. (d) A license transferred pursuant to annexation shall be exempt from the population formula restrictions provided by W.S. 12-4-201 and 12-4-413. (e) As used in this section, "license" includes a county malt beverage permit. A city or town shall charge the same fee for a county malt beverage permit as the county.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-603 Annexation of retail liquor license or malt beverage permit into 5-mile zone; renewal.

(a) A county retail liquor license having licensed premises located within a five (5) mile zone around an incorporated city or town because of annexation of property shall not be denied an application for renewal by reason of annexation alone. (b) Repealed by Laws 2021, ch. 22, § 3.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-604 Transfer or sale of license or permit; attachment, garnishment or execution.

No license or permit shall be transferred or sold except as provided by W.S. 12-4-601 and 12-4-602, used for any place not described in the license or permit at the time of issuance or subject to attachment, garnishment or execution.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-701 Duty to prepare and furnish.

The Wyoming attorney general shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and county a form for liquor licenses and malt beverage permits. A license on a form other than as prescribed by the attorney general is invalid.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 12-4-702 Signature and attestation; contents; display required.

(a) Each license issued by a city or town shall be signed by the mayor and attested by the clerk. Each license issued by a county shall be signed by the chairman of the board of county commissioners and attested by the county clerk. (b) The following shall be shown in each license: (i) The name of the licensee; (ii) An address of the licensed building in which alcoholic or malt beverages may be sold; (iii) The date of issuance; (iv) The amount of the fee; and (v) That the fee has been paid. (c) Each licensee shall display his license in a conspicuous place in the licensed building.
Source: WY Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title12.pdfFetched: 10/4/2026