Protest Against Alcoholic Beverage License Application

Anyone can protest an ABC license application. Protests must be filed with the Department by the close of business on the 30th day after notice is posted or mailed (whichever date is later).

Filing a Protest

A protest is a written declaration of your objection(s) against a pending alcoholic beverage license. When writing the protest, state the particular grounds for your objections against the application, be specific on why with examples.

Although it’s not required, please use Form ABC-510-A in order to help you file your protest , but you can also write an email or write a letter to protest. Any protest should be sent to your local District Office for processing. 

Your protest must contain the following:

  • The particular ground(s) for objection and the facts that support these objections;
  • The name of the applicant(s) and the exact address of the proposed business; and
  • The name, address, and signature of the Protestant. Protests may only be submitted by individuals and may contain only one signature per protest form or letter.

All timely protests received will be reviewed for valid concerns. Protestants will receive a letter letting them know if protest concerns were accepted or denied. The protest is sent to the applicant and a licensing representative from ABC that investigates the application. If ABC recommends issuing the license, you will get a notice asking if you would like an Administrative hearing.  If you do not wish to attend the hearing, your protest will be deemed abandoned and the license will issue.

More Information

Regulations, detailed instructions, and tips for protesting an application can be found in Form ABC-510.

Contact

For additional information,
contact your local ABC District Office.

- OR -


Bakersfield

map

4800 Stockdale Highway., Suite 213
Bakersfield, CA 93309

Phone:
(661) 395-2731
Fax:
(661) 322-5929
Email:
Bakersfield@abc.ca.gov

Concord

map

1800 Sutter St., Ste 450
Concord, CA 94520

Phone:
(925) 655-6314
Fax:
(925) 655-6310
Email:
Concord@abc.ca.gov

Eureka

map

1105 Sixth St., Suite C
Eureka, CA 95501

Phone:
(707) 445-7229
Fax:
(707) 445-6643
Email:
Eureka@abc.ca.gov

Fresno

map

1330 B East Shaw Ave.
Fresno, CA 93710-7902

Phone:
(559) 225-6334
Fax:
(559) 225-8740
Email:
Fresno@abc.ca.gov

LA/Metro

map

888 S Figueroa Street, Suite 320
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Phone:
(213) 833-6043
Fax:
(213) 833-6058
Email:
LAMetro@abc.ca.gov

LB/Lakewood

map

3950 Paramount Blvd., Suite 250
Lakewood, CA 90712

Phone:
(562) 982-1337
Fax:
(562) 275-4174
Email:
LongBeach/Lakewood@abc.ca.gov

Lodi

map

3021 Reynolds Ranch Parkway, Suite 150
Lodi, CA 95240

Phone:
(209) 371-6761
Fax:
(209) 371-6763
Email:
Stockton@abc.ca.gov

Monrovia

map

222 E. Huntington Dr., Suite 114
Monrovia, CA 91016

Phone:
(626) 256-3241
Fax:
(626) 263-9858
Email:
Monrovia@abc.ca.gov

Palm Desert

map

34-160 Gateway Dr., Suite 120
Palm Desert, CA 92211

Phone:
(760) 324-2027
Fax:
(760) 324-2632
Email:
PalmDesert@abc.ca.gov

Redding

map

1900 Churn Creek Rd., Suite 215
Redding, CA 96002

Phone:
(530) 224-4830
Fax:
(530) 224-9338
Email:
Redding@abc.ca.gov

Riverside

map

3737 Main Street, Suite 900
Riverside, CA 92501

Phone:
(951) 782-4400
Fax:
(951) 781-0531
Email:
Riverside@abc.ca.gov

Sacramento

map

2400 Del Paso Road, Suite 155
Sacramento, CA 95834

Phone:
(916) 419-1319
Fax:
(916) 419-3994
Email:
Sacramento@abc.ca.gov

Salinas

map

1137 Westridge Parkway
Salinas, CA 93907

Phone:
(831) 755-1990
Fax:
(831) 755-1997
Email:
Salinas@abc.ca.gov

San Diego

map

8620 Spectrum Center Blvd., Suite 302
San Diego, CA 92123

Phone:
(858) 300-6855
Fax:
(858) 300-6874
Email:
SanDiego@abc.ca.gov

San Francisco

map

33 New Montgomery St., Suite 1230
San Francisco, CA 94105

Phone:
(415) 356-6500
(415) 356-6501
(415) 356-6502
(415) 356-6503
Fax:
(415) 356-6599
Email:
SanFrancisco@abc.ca.gov

San Jose

map

224 Airport Parkway, Suite 620
San Jose, CA 95110

Phone:
(408) 346-2417
Fax:
(408) 346-2413
Email:
SanJose@abc.ca.gov

San Luis Obispo

map

3220 S. Higuera St., Suite 103A
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Phone:
(805) 543-7183
Fax:
(805) 543-3814
Email:
SanLuisObispo@abc.ca.gov

San Marcos

map

570 Rancheros Drive, Suite 240
San Marcos, CA 92069

Phone:
(760) 471-4237
Fax:
(760) 471-6142
Email:
SanMarcos@abc.ca.gov

Santa Ana

map

2 MacArthur Place, Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92707

Phone:
(657) 205-3533
Fax:
(657) 205-3520
Email:
SantaAna@abc.ca.gov

Santa Rosa

map

50 D Street, Room 130
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Phone:
(707) 576-2165
Fax:
(707)527-9537
Email:
SantaRosa@abc.ca.gov

Van Nuys

map

6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Room 220
Van Nuys, CA 91401

Phone:
(818) 901-5017
Fax:
(818) 785-6731
Email:
VanNuys@abc.ca.gov

Ventura

map

1000 South Hill Road, Suite 310
Ventura, CA 93003

Phone:
(805) 289-0100
Fax:
(805) 289-0110
Email:
Ventura@abc.ca.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the protest window start?

30 days after mailing notices or 30 days after notice is posted on premises, which ever is later. The 30 day window is open and starts the next day to allow the public as much time as possible for a full 30 days to occur.

Can my protest remain anonymous?

A copy of all valid and verified protests (Form ABC-510-A) and Protestant’s/Complainant’s Declaration (Form ABC-128) will be provided to the applicant as part of the licensing process. All protests submitted to the ABC are public records and open to inspection pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Gov. Code section 6254 et seq.).

How can I get more information about a pending application?

You can contact the district office mentioned on the notice or mailing, or contact your local ABC district office for assistance.

Are all alcoholic license applications open for protests?

Person to person transfers of an existing license cannot be protested by the public, all applicants go through a background check to ensure they are qualified to transfer the license.