Regulations & Rulemaking

Be aware of ABC-related rules and regulation changes, whether pending or previously enacted.

Approved Regulations

Formal Rulemaking Matters Approved by the Office of Administrative Law

Rulemaking agencies, like the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, go through the regular rulemaking process outlined in the Administrative Procedure Act, which involves notice to the public, public comment and responses, and a review for necessity and clarity, to establish standards for interpreting and implementing statutes passed by the Legislature. Once completed, approved rulemakings are codified as a regulation with legal effect within the State. The Department’s approved regulatory packages can be found on the Approved Regulations page.

Pending Rulemaking

Formal Rulemaking Matters Pending with the Office of Administrative Law

On-Sale Licenses For Boats

This regulatory package was noticed to the public on June 2, 2023. This rulemaking action is in response to a petition that ABC received from stakeholders requesting amendments to Rule 55.5.

Pending Regulatory Package

WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD

The written comment period for the On-Sale Licenses For Boats proposed rulemaking closes at 12 p.m. on July 18, 2023. Please submit any written comments to:

Law and Policy Unit
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: rpu@abc.ca.gov

Beer Price Posting Amendments

This initial regulatory package was noticed to the public on October 28, 2022. The initial public comment period concluded on December 13, 2022. A public hearing was also held on December 13, 2022. The proposed modifications were noticed on January 31, 2023. A public comment period for the proposed modifications concluded on February 16, 2023. The second proposed modifications were noticed on March 28, 2023. A public comment period for the second proposed modifications concluded on April 12, 2023.

Pending Regulatory Package

Music Venue Licenses

This regulatory package was noticed to the public on April 7, 2023. This proposed rulemaking is a certificate of compliance action for a previously approved emergency rulemaking action that is effective through August 1, 2023.

During this certificate of compliance rulemaking process, the department’s Music Venue Licenses approved emergency regulations remain in effect.

Pending Regulatory Package

Premises Expansion

This regulatory package was noticed to the public on September 16, 2022. An initial comment period concluded on November 1, 2022, and a public hearing was also held on November 1, 2022. A second written comment period on the modified proposed regulations concluded on March 13, 2023. A correction has been made in both the Initial Statement of Reasons and the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the pending Premises Expansion regulation originally posted on September 16, 2022. Any reference to Business and Professions Code 25050.5 has been corrected to 25750.5 as of September 26, 2022. Comments for second modification to the proposed regulations must be made by 12 p.m. on May 22, 2023

Pending Regulatory Package

Priority Registration Drawings Amendments

This regulatory package was noticed to the public on April 21, 2023. The Initial Statement of Reasons and all subsequent regulatory documents can be requested by emailing rpu@abc.ca.gov.

Pending Regulatory Package

WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD

The written comment period for the Priority Registration Drawings proposed amendments closes at 12 p.m. on June 6, 2023. Please submit any written comments to:

Law and Policy Unit
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: rpu@abc.ca.gov

Proposed Rulemaking

Request for Stakeholder Comment on Preliminary Rulemaking Matters

There are no proposed changes at this time.

Contact

For additional information, contact the Law and Policy Unit.

Law and Policy Unit
Alcoholic Beverage Control
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: rpu@abc.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 419-8958

For media inquiries, email pio@abc.ca.gov.