Alcohol Related Events

It is important to properly permit your event when alcohol is involved.  Knowing the legal difference between a private and public event is an absolute necessity.  This is defined by the Department of Alcohol and Beverage Services (DABS) and Utah State Code.  Be sure to plan well in advance as your DABS permit may need to be voted on at a monthly committee meeting.

1. If your event is a public event, then you are required to have a DABS permit and follow all DABS regulations.
   
   
2. Determine the Type of Event
   1. Private Events
      (1) invitation-only event with sign-in (or pre-prepared guest list); (2) No ticket sales for meals or alcohol or entry, etc.; (3) a person may bring an alcohol product from the outside into the event.  E.g. A wedding reception, 50th anniversary, or parish council Christmas party, all have a private guest list and would qualify and not require a DABS permit.  E.g. A person could bring a bottle of wine for the table or to commonly share (but never sold).
      
      Special for Funerals: the DABS under special consideration allows funeral receptions which are advertised in obituaries, bulletins, website, etc. to be classified as a private event.  This is not true for other events, only funeral receptions.  This is a special accommodation given that funeral celebrations do not normally have time to go through the lengthy permitting process before the deceased person is celebrated and buried.
      
      
   2. Public Event
      If any of the following are true: (1) Advertised in bulletins, flyers, website, etc.; (2) sale of tickets for entry, food, or alcohol; (3) anyone from the community or public at large may enter the event without being on a pre-prepared guest list.
      
      A person may never bring outside alcohol into the event, e.g. you may never "brown bag" at an public event.
      
      Many permitted public events sale entry tickets or meal tickets, in these cases, alcohol may be provided free as an option.  If there is no sale for entry or meal, alcohol may never be provided for free at a public event.
      Utah Code Title 32B, Chapter 9
      
      
   3. Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services
      DABS Event Permit Information
      801-977-6800 |  [email protected] | Help Desk: 801-977-6939
      DABS can help determine if your event is public and requires a permit.
      
      
3. City Requirements
   You must also contact your City management for local requirements for permitting your event.  Regulations vary from city to city.  Normally, your city will require you to obtain your DABS event permit prior to applying for their city permit.  Some cities will require additional services depending on the size of your event, e.g. fire, police, or other safety requirements.
   
   E.g. Salt Lake City is kind enough to walk you through the process.  Notice all the DABS work is done before the City's Step 1: Single Event Permit Information
   
   
4. Obtain the Special Event Form provided by Catholic Mutual Group (CMG)
   1. Login into your Safe Environment account with CMG
   2. In the upper right, click the "Resources" link, scroll to "Operations", "Events/Activites, print the Liquor Liability Control" for reveiw.
   3. Ask your administration for the "Special Events Form" for normal events, and the "Festival Events Form" for major events.
   4. Contact CMG if necessary to ensure compliance for proper insurance coverage.