561.20 Limitation upon number of licenses
issued. ---
(1) No license under s. 565.02(1)(a)-(f), inclusive, shall be
issued so that the number of such licenses within the limits of the territory
of any county exceeds one such license to each 5,000 residents within such
county. Regardless of the number of quota licenses issued prior to October 1,
1992, on and after that date, a new license under s. 565.02(1)(a)-(f),
inclusive, shall be issued for each population increase of 5,000 residents
above the number of residents who resided in the county according to the April
1, 1991, Florida Estimate of Population as published by the Bureau of Economic
and Business Research at the University of Florida, and thereafter, based on
the last regular population estimate prepared pursuant to s. 186.901, for such
county. Such population estimates shall be the basis for annual license
issuance regardless of any local acts to the contrary. However, such
limitation shall not prohibit the issuance of at least three licenses in any
county that may approve the sale of intoxicating liquors in such
county.
(2)
(a) No such limitation of the number of licenses as herein provided
shall henceforth prohibit the issuance of a special license to:
1. Any bona fide hotel, motel, or motor court of not fewer than 80
guest rooms in any county having a population of less than 50,000 residents,
and of not fewer than 100 guest rooms in any county having a population of
50,000 residents or greater; or any bona fide hotel or motel of fewer than 100
guest rooms which derives at least 51 percent of its gross revenue from the
rental of hotel or motel rooms, which is licensed as a public lodging
establishment by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants, and which is listed
on the National Register of Historic Places pursuant to the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966, or is within and contributes to a registered
historic district pursuant to [Footnote 1] 26 U.S.C. s. 48(g)(3)(B), or has
been
found to meet the criteria of historical significance of the Division of
Historical Resources of the Department of State, as certified by that division
or by a locally established historic preservation board or commission, or like
body, which has been granted authority to designate historically significant
properties by the jurisdiction within which the hotel or motel is located;
provided that the provisions of this subparagraph shall supersede local laws
requiring a greater number of hotel rooms;
2. Any condominium accommodation of which no fewer than 100
condominium units are wholly rentable to transients and which is licensed
under the provisions of chapter 509, except that the license shall be issued
only to the person or corporation which operates the hotel or motel operation
and not to the association of condominium owners;
3. Any condominium accommodation of which no fewer than 50
condominium units are wholly rentable to transients, which is licensed under
the provisions of chapter 509, and which is located in any county having home
rule under s. 10 or s. 11, Art. VIII of the Constitution of 1885, as amended,
and incorporated by reference in s. 6(e), Art. VIII of the State Constitution,
except that the license shall be issued only to the person or corporation
which operates the hotel or motel operation and not to the association of
condominium owners; or
4. Any restaurant having 2,500 square feet of service area and
equipped to serve 150 persons full course meals at tables at one time, and
deriving at least 51 percent of its gross revenue from the sale of food and
nonalcoholic beverages; however, no restaurant granted a special license on or
after January 1, 1958, pursuant to general or special law shall operate as a
package store, nor shall intoxicating beverages be sold under such license
after the hours of serving food have elapsed. However, any license heretofore
issued to any such hotel, motel, motor court, or restaurant or hereafter
issued to any such hotel, motel, or motor court, including a condominium
accommodation, under the general law shall not be moved to a new location,
such license being valid only on the premises of such hotel, motel, motor
court, or restaurant. Licenses issued to hotels, motels, motor courts, or
restaurants under the general law and held by such hotels, motels, motor
courts, or restaurants on May 24, 1947, shall be counted in the quota
limitation contained in subsection (1). Any license issued for any hotel,
motel, or motor court under the provisions of this law shall be issued only to
the owner of the hotel, motel, or motor court or, in the event the hotel,
motel, or motor court is leased, to the lessee of the hotel, motel, or motor
court; and the license shall remain in the name of the owner or lessee so long
as the license is in existence. Any special license now in existence
heretofore issued under the provisions of this law cannot be renewed except in
the name of the owner of the hotel, motel, motor court, or restaurant or, in
the event the hotel, motel, motor court, or restaurant is leased, in the name
of the lessee of the hotel, motel, motor court, or restaurant in which the
license is located and must remain in the name of the owner or lessee so long
as the license is in existence. Any license issued under this section shall
be marked "Special," and nothing herein provided shall limit, restrict, or
prevent the issuance of a special license for any restaurant or motel which
shall hereafter meet the requirements of the law existing immediately prior to
the effective date of this act, if construction of such restaurant has
commenced prior to the effective date of this act and is completed within 30
days thereafter, or if an application is on file for such special license at
the time this act takes effect; and any such licenses issued under this
proviso may be annually renewed as now provided by law. Nothing herein
prevents an application for transfer of a license to a bona fide purchaser of
any hotel, motel, motor court, or restaurant by the purchaser of such facility
or the transfer of such license pursuant to law.
(b) Any county in which special licenses were issued under the
provisions of s. 561.20(2)(b) in effect prior to the effective date of this
act shall continue to qualify for such licenses pursuant to those provisions
in effect prior to the effective date of this act, and shall not be affected
by the provisions of paragraph (a), except that in such counties, any
restaurant located in a specialty center built on governmentally owned land
shall be subject to the provisions of paragraph (a). A specialty center means
any development having at least 50,000 square feet of leasable area,
containing restaurants, entertainment facilities, and specialty shops, and
located adjacent to a navigable water body. Alcoholic beverages sold for
consumption on the premises by a vendor in a specialty center may be consumed
within the specialty center but may not be removed from such premises.
(c) In addition to any special licenses that may be issued under the
provisions of paragraph (a), the division is authorized to issue special
licenses to qualified applicants who own or lease bowling establishments
having 12 or more lanes and all necessary equipment to operate them. Any
license issued for any bowling establishment under the provisions of this
paragraph shall be issued only to the owner of the bowling establishment or,
in the event the bowling establishment is leased, to the lessee of the bowling
establishment; and the license shall remain in the name of the owner or lessee
so long as the license is in existence. Any such license issued under this
paragraph shall not be moved to a new location. No license issued pursuant to
this paragraph shall permit the licensee to sell alcoholic beverages by the
package for off-the-premises consumption. The provisions of this paragraph do
not preclude any bowling establishment from holding a beverage license issued
pursuant to any other provision of this section.
(d) Any board of county commissioners may be issued a special license
which shall be issued in the name of the county and be applicable only in and
for facilities which are owned and operated by the county and in which the
sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are not otherwise prohibited. The
license may be transferred from one qualified county facility to another upon
written notification to the department.
(e) The owner of a hotel, motel, or motor court may lease his
restaurant operation to another corporation, individual, or business
association that, upon meeting the requirements for a restaurant license set
forth in this chapter, may operate independently of the hotel, motel, or motor
court and be permitted to provide room service for alcoholic and intoxicating
beverages within such hotel, motel, or motor court in which the restaurant is
located.
(f) In addition to the exceptions set forth in this subsection, no
such limitation of the number of licenses as herein provided shall prohibit
the issuance of special airport licenses as defined in s. 561.01(12) to
restaurants that are a part of, or serve, publicly owned or leased airports.
The special airport license provided for herein shall allow for consumption
within designated areas of the airport terminal as defined in s. 561.01(13).
Any holder of such special license located at a publicly owned and operated
airport may sell and serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises
to the general public under such license in not more than four places or
locations in control of the holder of such license. Any license so issued may
not be transferred to a new location, except that a vendor operating a place
of business under a special license may transfer such license when the
publicly owned or leased airport at which the vendor operates a place of
business under a special license moves its terminal facilities on the same
airport premises, or when the airport is required by law to move its entire
operation to a new location. Any license so issued shall entitle the vendor
operating a place of business under such license to sell to airlines vinous
beverages and distilled spirits in sealed miniature containers and other
alcoholic beverages for consumption on the aircraft using the facility, but
only for consumption by the passengers of the aircraft when such aircraft is
airborne.
(g) In addition to any special licenses issued under the Beverage
Law, the division may issue a special license for consumption on the premises
only to any public fair or exposition which is organized in accordance with
chapter 616. No licensee under this special license shall enter into any
exclusive contract for its use. The special license may not be used in
connection with any youth agricultural activity or during any regularly
scheduled public fair or exposition, and such license may be used only in
connection with special events held on the premises of the fairgrounds, which
premises are considered to be licensed premises under the dominion and control
of the public fair or exposition authority at all times. This special license
is not transferable.
(h) In addition to any special licenses issued under the Beverage
Law, the division may issue a special license for consumption on the premises
only to any civic center authority or sports arena authority which is
authorized by state law or by a local government ordinance or which civic
center or sports arena is otherwise owned by a political subdivision of this
state. The license may be transferred to a qualified applicant authorized by
contract with the authority to provide food service for the facility. The
license shall at all times remain the exclusive property of the authority, and
upon termination by any manner of the contract between the authority and the
applicant concerning the furnishing of food service, the license shall revert
to the authority by operation of law.
(i) The division shall not charge a fee in excess of $250 for the
license authorized by paragraph (g) or paragraph (h).
(j) In addition to any special licenses issued under the Beverage
Law, the division may issue a special license for consumption on the premises
only to a performing arts center, provided that any consumption of alcoholic
beverages under this license, except as part of food and beverage service for
banquets or receptions, may occur only in conjunction with an artistic,
educational, cultural, promotional, civic, or charitable event occurring on
the premises under the authorization of or offered directly by the performing
arts center. The license may be transferred to a qualified applicant
authorized by contract with the performing arts center to provide food and
beverage service for the center. The license shall at all times remain the
exclusive property of the performing arts center, and upon termination by any
manner of the contract between the performing arts center and the applicant
concerning the furnishing of food and beverage service, the license shall
revert to the performing arts center by operation of law. The division shall
not charge a fee in excess of $400 for the license authorized by this
paragraph.
(3) The limitation upon the number of such licenses to be issued
as herein provided does not apply to existing licenses or to the renewal or
transfer of such licenses; but upon the revocation of any existing license, no
renewal thereof or new license therefor shall be issued contrary to the
limitation herein prescribed.
(4) The limitations herein prescribed shall not affect or repeal
any existing or future local or special act relating to the limitation by
population and exceptions or exemptions from such limitation by population of
such licenses within any incorporated city or town or county that may be in
conflict herewith.
(5) Provisions of subsections (2) and (4) as amended by chapter
57-773, Laws of Florida, shall take effect January 1, 1958, and shall apply
only to those places of business licensed to operate after January 1, 1958,
and shall in no manner repeal or nullify any license issued under provisions
of law which are now operating or will operate prior to the effective date
January 1, 1958; and all such places of business shall be exempt from the
provisions of this law so long as they are in continuous operation.
(6) When additional licenses become available by reason of an
increase in population or by reason of a county permitting the sale of
intoxicating beverages when such sale has been prohibited, the division may
issue the number of new licenses that become available by reason of the last
regular population estimate; however, in no event shall any person, firm, or
corporation licensed as a vendor under subsection (1) have an interest,
directly or indirectly, in more than 30 percent of the number of licenses
authorized for issuance in such county. Notwithstanding the foregoing
limitation, any licensed vendor having an interest, directly or indirectly, in
more than 30 percent of the licenses authorized for issuance in any one county
on July 1, 1981, may continue to qualify for such licenses.
(7)
(a) There shall be no limitation as to the number of licenses issued
pursuant to s. 565.02(4). However, any licenses issued under this section
shall be limited to:
1. Subordinate lodges or clubs of national fraternal or benevolent
associations;
2. Golf clubs, tennis clubs, and beach or cabana clubs which are
municipally or privately owned or leased;
3. Nonprofit corporations or clubs devoted to promoting community,
municipal, or county development or any phase of community, municipal, or
county development;
4. Clubs fostering and promoting the general welfare and prosperity
of members of showmen and amusement enterprises;
5. Clubs assisting, promoting, and developing subordinate lodges or
clubs of national fraternal or benevolent associations; and
6. Clubs promoting, developing, and maintaining cultural relations
of people of the same nationality.
(b) Any corporation, partnership, or individual operating a club
owning or leasing and maintaining any bona fide regular, standard golf course
consisting of at least nine holes, with clubhouse, locker rooms, and attendant
golf facilities and comprising in all at least 35 acres of land owned or
leased by such club may be issued a license under s. 565.02(4); but failure of
such club to maintain the golf course and golf facilities shall be grounds for
revocation of the license.
(c) Any corporation, partnership, or individual operating a club
owning or leasing and maintaining any bona fide tennis club or four-wall
indoor racquetball club consisting of not fewer than 10 regulation-size tennis
courts or 10 regulation-size four-wall indoor racquetball courts, or a
combination of such courts totaling in the aggregate not fewer than 10 courts,
or a combination of 8 such courts and exercise facilities which in square
footage total not fewer than the aggregate square foot equivalent of 10
regulation-size courts with clubhouse facilities, pro shop, locker rooms, and
attendant tennis or racquetball facilities, all located on a contiguous tract
of land owned or leased by such club, may be issued a license under s.
565.02(4); but failure of such club to maintain such courts and facilities
shall be grounds for revocation of any such license so issued. Any racquetball
or tennis club which has been constructed and completed on or before July 1,
1980, and which contains the requisite number of courts of proper size and
attendant facilities may be granted a license without the necessity of
securing additional approval from the incorporated municipality or county in
which the racquetball or tennis club facility is located. It is intended that
this subsection be an exception to s. 562.45(2) preempting the zoning power of
local government to the state only in instances involving tennis and
racquetball clubs constructed and completed on or before July 1, 1980. Nothing
in this paragraph, however, shall be construed to limit the power of
incorporated municipalities or counties to enact ordinances regulating hours
of business and prescribing sanitary regulations for such racquetball or
tennis club facilities.
(d) Any corporation, partnership, or individual operating a club
which owns or leases and which maintains any bona fide beach or cabana club
consisting of beach facilities, swimming pool, locker rooms with facilities
for at least 100 persons, and a restaurant with seats at tables for at least
100 persons, comprising in all an area of at least 5,000 square feet located
on a contiguous tract of land of in excess of 1 acre may be issued a license
under s. 565.02(4). The failure of such club to maintain the facilities shall
be a ground for revocation of the license.
(8) In addition to any licenses that may be issued to restaurants
under the provisions of this section, the division is authorized to issue
special licenses to qualified applicants whose applications have been approved
by the Inter-American Center Authority for use within the confines of the
Inter-American Cultural and Trade Center; however, any such license issued
pursuant to this subsection shall not permit the licensee to sell alcoholic
beverages by the package for off-premises consumption.
(9) In addition to any licenses that may be issued under the
provisions of this chapter, the division is authorized to issue special
licenses to any county which has a population of at least 1 million persons
according to the latest federal census and which owns and operates airport
facilities pursuant to chapters 125 and 332, for transfer to qualified
applicants who have secured approval from the board of county commissioners of
such county for use within the confines of such airport facilities. Such
licenses shall not be valid in any location beyond the confines of the
terminal facilities of the airport. In the event of expiration or revocation
of such licenses, such licenses shall revert to the board of county
commissioners automatically, by operation of law. However, no special license
issued pursuant to this subsection shall permit the county or its transferee
to sell alcoholic beverages by the package for off-premises
consumption.
(10) In addition to any licenses that may be issued under the
provisions of this chapter, the division is authorized to issue a special
license to any marketing association of horse breeders organized under the
laws of the state. Such license shall be applicable only in and for
facilities used by the association for public auction of its products. No
license issued pursuant to this subsection shall permit the licensee to sell
alcoholic beverages by the package for off-premises consumption. The
provisions of this subsection do not preclude any cooperative marketing
association of horse breeders from holding a license issued pursuant to any
other provision of this chapter.
(11) In addition to any licenses that may be issued under the
provisions of this chapter, the division is authorized to issue a special
license to historic American Legion Posts in Florida which were chartered
prior to September 16, 1919, the date on which the United States Congress
issued the National Charter for the American Legion. Any holder of a license
issued pursuant to this subsection shall, at its option, be permitted to sell
alcoholic beverages to resident guests as well as members and nonresident
guests for consumption on the premises only. Revenue from the sale of such
alcoholic beverages must be used to operate, maintain, or improve said
American Legion Post facilities, grounds, or activities and to maintain an
emergency fund not to exceed the costs of operation of the American Legion
Post for the prior calendar year. Any remaining revenue from the sale of
alcoholic beverages shall be donated to local nonprofit charitable
organizations on an annual basis. Posts exercising their option under this
subsection shall pay an annual license fee of $500. This section shall not
apply to any county which has held an election under s. 567.01 and whose
electors have voted to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages for
consumption on the licensed premises.
(12)
(a) In addition to any other licenses issued under the provisions of
this chapter, the division is authorized to issue a special license to a
person or to an organization for the purpose of authorizing:
1. A bulk transfer as described in [Footnote 2] chapter 676;
2. A sale pursuant to a levy and execution;
3. A sale by an insurance company in possession of alcoholic
beverages;
4. A bankruptcy sale;
5. A sale resulting from a license suspension or revocation;
6. A sale of damaged goods by a common carrier;
7. A sale by a bona fide wine collector; or
8. A sale of packaged alcoholic beverages pursuant to part V of
chapter 679.
(b) A special license shall be issued under this subsection upon
filing an application at the district office and paying a $25 fee. Such fee
shall be deposited in the Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Trust Fund.
(c) A special license is valid for 3 days after the time of its
effective date and time as set by the division. A license issued pursuant to
this subsection does not permit the licensee to sell alcoholic beverages for
consumption on the premises.
(d) A distributor may purchase packaged alcoholic beverages at any
sale specified in paragraph (a).
(13) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any license to
sell or serve alcoholic beverages issued to a port authority, as defined in s.
315.02, entitles that port authority, or the lessee or lessees which it may
choose, to sell and serve alcoholic beverages at any terminal within the port
jurisdictional boundaries upon annual payment to the division of an annual fee
equivalent to the annual license fee for each sales or service location.
However, any lessees chosen by the port authority shall meet the criteria for
licensure for sales and service of alcoholic beverages.
History: s. 2, ch. 16774, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(228); s. 2, ch. 23746, 1947;
s. 7, ch. 25359, 1949; s. 1, ch. 28113, s. 1, ch. 28117, 1953; s. 4, ch.
29786, s. 1, ch. 29829, s. 1, ch. 29978, 1955; s. 24, ch. 57-1; s. 1, ch.
57-299; s. 17, ch. 57-420; ss. 1, 2, ch. 57-773; s. 1, ch. 57-837; s. 1, ch.
57-1991; s. 1, ch. 59-370; s. 2, ch. 61-219; ss. 1, 2, 4, ch. 61-300; s. 1,
ch. 61-439; s. 1, ch. 67-173; ss. 16, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 71-238; s. 1,
ch. 72-61; s. 1, ch. 72-83; s. 1, ch. 72-230; s. 1, ch. 72-260; s. 1, ch.
73-366; s. 1, ch. 73-367; ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 76-2; s. 1, ch. 76-242; s. 5, ch.
77-471; s. 1, ch. 77-474; s. 1, ch. 78-103; s. 1, ch. 80-232; s. 2, ch.
80-339; s. 4, ch. 81-158; s. 1, ch. 84-95; ss. 1, 3, ch. 84-286; s. 6, ch.
85-161; s. 69, ch. 86-163; s. 2, ch. 86-228; ss. 29, 30, ch. 86-269; s. 3, ch.
87-63; s. 13, ch. 88-308; s. 1, ch. 88-404; s. 1, ch. 89-230; s. 1, ch.
89-248; s. 2, ch. 89-361; s. 9, ch. 90-17; ss. 1, 8, ch. 91-60; s. 3, ch.
92-176; s. 2, ch. 92-205; s. 3, ch. 93-134.
[Footnote 1] Note. The referenced provision does not
exist.
[Footnote 2] Note. Repealed by s. 3, ch.
93-77.