City Clerk

Liquor Licensing

The Duluth City Clerk’s office issues licenses for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the city. Chapter 8 of the Duluth City Code outlines the city’s rules and requirements related to liquor licensing. The City Code closely follows the requirements of Minnesota Statutes Chapter 340A, which governs the licensing and sale of alcoholic beverages statewide.

Applicants for liquor licenses are required to appear before the Alcohol, Gambling & Tobacco Commission prior to their license being approved by the Duluth City Council. Please note that your application may also be subject to approval by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division.

If you are interested in obtaining a liquor license, please contact the City Clerk’s office for assistance in determining which license best suits your needs and what documentation is required.

We recommend that you submit your application and payment at least 60 days prior to when you want to begin your activity

INITIAL CONTACT:  City Clerk, 318 City Hall, 411 W. 1st St., Duluth  MN  55802

FORMS:  Liquor Caterer Registration and Liquor Caterer Notification Forms.

FEES:  See Fee Schedule

TELEPHONE NUMBER:  (218) 730-5500. 

ISSUED TO:  Holders of a state caterer's permit in order to provide catering services in the city.

PROCEDURE:  Applications are made to the City Clerk (with fees) and must be approved by the Police Department.

APPLICABLE CODE: Chapter 8

INITIAL CONTACT:  City Clerk, 318 City Hall, 411 W. 1st St., Duluth  MN  55802

FORM:   Microdistillery License Application.

TELEPHONE NUMBER:  (218) 730-5500.

ISSUED TO:  Persons operating a microdistillery in the City of Duluth.

FEE:  See Fee Schedule

PROCEDURE:  Liquor applications filed with the City Clerk are referred to the Alcohol, Gambling and Tobacco Commission whose function is to advise the City Council on approving issuance of the license.  The license is issued by the Minnesota State Liquor Control Commissioner.

APPLICABLE CODE: Chapter 8

INITIAL CONTACT:  City Clerk, 318 City Hall, 411 W. 1st St., Duluth  MN  55802

FORM:   Temporary Expansion of On-Sale Premises License Application.

TELEPHONE NUMBER:  (218) 730-5500.

ISSUED TO:  Current On Sale Intoxicating Liquor Licensees desiring to sell alcoholic beverages outside of their premises.

FEE:  See Fee Schedule

PROCEDURE:  Liquor applications filed with the City Clerk are referred to the Alcohol, Gambling and Tobacco Commission whose function is to advise the City Council on the granting or refusal of the license.  Applicants must pass approval of the police, fire and health departments.

APPLICABLE CODE: Chapter 8

INITIAL CONTACT:  City Clerk, 318 City Hall, 411 W. 1st St., Duluth  MN  55802

FORM:   Temporary On-Sale Liquor License Application.

TELEPHONE NUMBER:  (218) 730-5500.

ISSUED TO:  Temporary on sale liquor licenses are issued only to:

    • Clubs, charitable organizations, religious organizations and other nonprofit organizations in existence for at least three years.
    • A registered political committee.
    • A state university.
    • A brewer who manufactures fewer than 3,500 barrels of malt liquor in a year.
    • For a temporary on sale non-intoxicating malt liquor license, click here for application.

FEE:  See Fee Schedule

PROCEDURE:  Liquor applications filed with the City Clerk are referred to the Alcohol, Gambling and Tobacco Commission whose function is to advise the City Council on approving issuance of the license.  The license is issued by the Minnesota State Liquor Control Commissioner.

APPLICABLE CODE: Chapter 8

INITIAL CONTACT:  City Clerk, 318 City Hall, 411 W. 1st St., Duluth  MN  55802

FORM:   Temporary On-Sale Non-Intoxicating Malt Liquor License Application.

TELEPHONE NUMBER:  (218) 730-5500.

FEE:  See Fee Schedule

PROCEDURE:  Liquor applications filed with the City Clerk are referred to the Alcohol, Gambling and Tobacco Commission whose function is to advise the City Council on approving issuance of the license.  The license is issued by the Minnesota State Liquor Control Commissioner.

APPLICABLE CODE: Chapter 8

INITIAL CONTACT:  City Clerk, 318 City Hall, 411 W. 1st St., Duluth  MN  55802.

FORM:   On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License Application Packet

TELEPHONE NUMBER:  (218) 730-5500.

ISSUED TO:  Establishments used exclusively for the retail sale of intoxicating liquor only on the licensed premises, hotels, clubs, restaurants, and bowling alleys

FEE:  See Fee Schedule

PROCEDURE:  Liquor applications filed with the City Clerk are referred to the Alcohol, Gambling and Tobacco Commission whose function is to advise the City Council on approving issuance of the license.  The license is issued by the Minnesota State Liquor Control Commissioner.

APPLICABLE CODE: Chapter 8

INITIAL CONTACT:  City Clerk, 318 City Hall, 411 W. 1st St., Duluth  MN  55802.

FORM:  On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License Transfer Application Packet

TELEPHONE NUMBER:  (218) 730-5500.

ISSUED TO:  Individuals, partnerships, or other organizations seeking to transfer an existing on-sale intoxicating liquor license from an establishment used exclusively for the retail sale of intoxicating liquor only on the licensed premises, hotels, clubs, restaurants, and bowling alleys.

FEE:  See Fee Schedule

PROCEDURE:  Liquor applications filed with the City Clerk are referred to the Alcohol, Gambling and Tobacco Commission whose function is to advise the City Council on approving issuance of the license.  The license is issued by the Minnesota State Liquor Control Commissioner.

APPLICABLE CODE: Chapter 8

INITIAL CONTACT:  City Clerk, 318 City Hall, 411 W. 1st St., Duluth  MN  55802.

FORM: On-Sale Wine     3.2% Malt Liquor    Combined Beer & Wine    Combined Beer & Wine License Transfers

TELEPHONE NUMBER:  (218) 730-5500.

ISSUED TO:  Restaurants and Bed & Breakfasts in conjunction with sales of food. Note that Minnesota law allows for establishments holding both an on-sale wine and a 3.2% malt liquor license to sell intoxication malt liquors at on-sale without an additional license. 

FEE:  See Fee Schedule

PROCEDURE:  Liquor applications filed with the City Clerk are referred to the Alcohol, Gambling and Tobacco Commission whose function is to advise the City Council on approving issuance of the license.  The license is issued by the Minnesota State Liquor Control Commissioner.

APPLICABLE CODE: Chapter 8

INITIAL CONTACT:  City Clerk, 318 City Hall, 411 W. 1st St., Duluth  MN  55802.

FORM: Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License

TELEPHONE NUMBER:  (218) 730-5500.

ISSUED TO:  Exclusive liquor stores

FEE:  See Fee Schedule

PROCEDURE:  Liquor applications filed with the City Clerk are referred to the Alcohol, Gambling and Tobacco Commission whose function is to advise the City Council on approving issuance of the license.  The license is issued by the Minnesota State Liquor Control Commissioner.

APPLICABLE CODE: Chapter 8

INITIAL CONTACT:  City Clerk, 318 City Hall, 411 W. 1st St., Duluth  MN  55802.

FORM: Off-Sale Liquor Transfer Application 

TELEPHONE NUMBER:  (218) 730-5500.

ISSUED TO: Individuals, partnerships, or other organizations seeking to transfer an off-sale intoxicating liquor license from an existing exclusive liquor store. 

FEE:  See Fee Schedule

PROCEDURE:  Liquor applications filed with the City Clerk are referred to the Alcohol, Gambling and Tobacco Commission whose function is to advise the City Council on approving issuance of the license.  The license is issued by the Minnesota State Liquor Control Commissioner.

APPLICABLE CODE: Chapter 8

Contact

Chelsea J. Helmer, J.D.
City Clerk
City Hall, Room 318
411 West First Street
Duluth, MN 55802
218-730-5500