ABC Letter of Public Convenience–Planning

ABC Letter of Public "Convenience or Necessity"

State law requires a local jurisdiction to make a “public convenience or necessity” determination prior to the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) issuing a liquor license under certain circumstances. Refer to Division 9 of the State Business and Professions Code for specific State requirements and definitions regarding alcoholic beverage control. Sections 23958, 23958.4 and 23817.7 of that code specifically address State-licensing requirements.

 

In accordance with provisions of the San Bernardino County Development Code the Director of Land Use Services shall review and act upon a request for a letter of “public convenience or necessity” when it is required from the local jurisdiction by ABC. If such a request is determined to be controversial, the review shall be referred to the Planning Commission for action. Right to appeal staff or Planning Commission action is as provided in Chapter 8 of Division 6 of the Development Code.

Documents

Depending on your individual application, will be required to supply one or more of the following documents.


  • The Notice from ABC stating that a letter of “Public Convenience or Necessity” is required.

  • The ABC License Application accepted by ABC.

  • ABC notice posted at site with start and finish dates (if applicable).

  • All responses received as a result of the posting of the ABC notice (if applicable).

  • Proof that land use has been granted. This could be an approval letter for a Conditional Use Permit, Site Approval, Land Use Review, Occupancy Review, a building permit with the land use annotated, or similar type of document.

  • A certified copy each, if applicable, of the Articles of Incorporation including the latest statement of officers; the Partnership Papers (limited or general); or the recorded Fictitious Business Name Statement naming the owner(s) of the firm, if either the Grantor or Grantee are Corporations, Partnerships, or Fictitious Firms.


Please be advised that many Land Use Planning Applications are not designed to be completed in one sitting. It is expected that you will use the "Save and Resume Later" button at the bottom of each application page to save your temporary record for completion at a later date/time. Your temporary application will be saved for 365 days before it is removed from the system.

Can I apply online? Yes, applications can be found in the EZ Online Permitting Portal

Contact:

Department Address Phone
Land Use Services Planning

385 N. Arrowhead Ave.
San Bernardino, CA 92415

(909) 387-8311

Application Path:

  • Step 1: Navigate to the EZOP Portal
  • Step 2: Click "Planning" in the navigation menu.
    planning application
  • Step 3: Click the "Create an Application" button.
    create an application button
  • Step 4: Read and accept the disclaimer. Then click the "Continue Application" button.
  • Step 5: Select "ABC Letter of Public Convenience" and click "Continue Application" to begin the application.
    ABC Letter of Public Convenience ABC Letter of Public Convenience permit button