Tempe Series 10 Beer and Wine Store License – Tempe Series 10 License
Grocery stores, convenience stores, specialty food markets, and retail outlets in Tempe that want to sell packaged beer and wine for off-premises consumption without entering the quota license market need an Arizona Series 10 Beer and Wine Store license. Tempe's grocery stores, specialty food co-ops near ASU, and neighborhood convenience retailers throughout its dense urban core rely on the non-quota Series 10 beer and wine store license to sell packaged beer and wine to the city's large and diverse population. The Series 10 is a non-quota, non-transferable license issued directly by the DLLC through standard application at the applicable annual fee. It covers the retail sale of beer and wine in original sealed packages only—no spirits and no on-premises consumption. Series 10 licensees may apply for sampling privileges through a separate DLLC process.
What the Series 10 License Authorizes in Tempe
A Series 10 license in Tempe generally allows you to:
• Sell beer and wine in sealed original packages for off-premises consumption
• Operate a grocery store, convenience store, specialty market, or retail outlet with a beer and wine section
• Deliver beer and wine off the licensed premises in connection with a retail sale
• Apply for sampling privileges (Series 10S) through a separate DLLC approval process
Is a Series 10 License Right for Your Tempe Business?
A Series 10 license may be the right fit if:
• Your Tempe business is a grocery store, specialty food market, convenience retailer, or other retail outlet that wants to add beer and wine
• You do not need or want to sell spirits, and prefer a non-quota license available through direct DLLC application
• Your business model focuses on off-premises retail beer and wine as a complementary product alongside food and other goods
• You want to avoid the cost, competition, and scarcity of the quota license market
How Liquor License Agents Helps Series 10 Applicants and Buyers in Tempe
While the Series 10 is a non-quota license, Tempe and Maricopa County still require local governing body review, 20-day public posting, and compliance with local zoning requirements. Liquor License Agents assists by:
• Reviewing your Tempe location for compliance with local zoning, distance restrictions, and any Tempe-specific operational requirements
• Preparing and submitting a complete DLLC application with all required documentation and premises diagrams
• Coordinating with Tempe local authorities on the 20-day public posting and local governing body review process
• Advising on the separate process for obtaining Series 10S sampling privileges if desired
• Assisting with license transfers when a business with an existing Series 10 is sold or changes ownership
• Responding to DLLC inquiries and helping resolve any issues that arise during application review
Our goal is to keep license work in sync with your lease, build-out, and opening timeline so your alcohol permissions are not the last piece to fall into place.
Tempe Series 10 License FAQs
What can I sell with a Series 10 license in Tempe?
A Series 10 Beer and Wine Store license allows you to sell beer and wine in sealed original packages for off-premises consumption at your Tempe retail location. You may not sell distilled spirits under a Series 10 license—a Series 9 quota license is required for spirits retail. On-premises consumption is also not permitted.
Is the Series 10 license subject to quota restrictions in Tempe?
No. The Series 10 is a non-quota license, meaning there is no population-based cap on the number of licenses issued in Maricopa County. You apply directly through the DLLC and pay the applicable annual fee without entering a lottery or purchasing on the secondary market, making it one of the most accessible retail alcohol licenses in Arizona.
Can a Series 10 license be transferred when I sell my business in Tempe?
The Series 10 is a non-transferable license, meaning it cannot be sold or transferred to a new owner or moved to a new location as a quota license can. If you sell your business, the new owner must apply for a new Series 10 license directly through the DLLC. Any previously approved sampling privileges (Series 10S) also cease upon ownership change.
Can I offer beer and wine tastings with a Series 10 license in Tempe?
Yes, but only after obtaining separate sampling privilege approval through the DLLC. Series 10 licensees may apply for a Series 10S designation by completing the Sampling Privileges form and obtaining local governing body approval. Once approved, sampling must comply with Arizona's sampling regulations under A.R.S. §4-206.01(J).
What local requirements apply to Series 10 applicants in Tempe?
All Arizona liquor license applications, including Series 10, are sent by the DLLC to the Tempe local governing body for a 20-day public review period. Tempe may also impose local zoning restrictions, distance requirements, and operational conditions. We review your specific address and help you prepare for the local review process.
How long does it take to get a Series 10 license in Tempe?
The DLLC targets a 65 to 105 day processing window for new license applications, including the time needed for local governing body review. As a non-quota license, there is no secondary market negotiation involved. Submitting a complete, accurate application from the outset is the most effective way to stay on schedule.
Schedule an Appointment | (800) 799-9081
If you are opening, acquiring, or planning a business in Tempe that needs a Series 10 license, call (800) 799-9081 to schedule an appointment and review your options, local requirements, and next steps with an experienced advisor.