Liquor Enforcement and Compliance
Contact the Liquor Enforcement and Compliance Section via email at
The Department of Business Regulation’s Division of Commercial Licensing has regulatory oversight with respect to the manufacture, import, export, storage, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. The Department issues licenses to manufacturers (breweries, distilleries, wineries, rectifiers), wholesalers, marine vessels, railroads and airplanes, and to class P caterers. All other liquor license types are considered retail licenses and are issued by the city or town where the business is located. City/town decisions on liquor licenses may be appealed to the Department in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-7-21.
The Division reviews applications, assesses and collects fees, conducts inspections, investigates complaints, and conducts enforcements with respect to regulated entities.
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All applicants must fill out the Email Communication Form.
Alcohol Server Training Program
Manufacturers: Brewery, Brewpub, Brew on Premises, Distillery, Farmer Winery, Rectifier, and Winery
Wholesalers: (Class A, B, and C)
Class P Caterer and Class G Airline, Railroad, Marine Vessel
Agents and Salespersons
Change in Ownership or Change in Location
Municipal Annual Report
The Division has updated its annual liquor license report form for municipal reporting pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-5-27. If you would like to obtain this form in Excel format, please email leeann.desilets@dbr.ri.gov.
This is due on December 1 of each year. ALL active liquor licenses in the municipality should be reported (not just those granted since the last report). The last data point, "money received" refers to the licensee fee collected.
We understand that many cities/towns use a licensing database with the ability to pull an excel type report that contains the information set forth in this form. If your city/town has this capability, feel free to submit your database generated report in lieu of this form.
Division Annual Report
In connection with the reporting requirement set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-5-27, the Division is providing the below link which quickly generates the most updated report showing the number of manufacturers and the number of wholesalers with the corresponding licensed premises addresses:
- Click on Liquor Licenses Issued by the Department of Business Regulation Click on the license type you wish to generate a report on: (Brew on Premises and Brewpub and Farmer Winery and Rectifier) OR (Liquor Manufacturers (Brewery and Distillery and Winery)) OR (Liquor Wholesalers (Distributors))
Please note the Certificate of Compliance renews yearly on November 30th. The online renewal portal opens yearly on September 1st.
Any renewal completed after November 30th will incur a late fee.
- Certificate of Compliance - Online Initial or Renewal
- First-Time Users will have to email Lee-Ann Desilets to set up a new account.
Complaint Form
- If you have a complaint against a liquor business, use this Complaint Form. The Department reviews complaints and conducts any investigation and enforcement it deems appropriate, in its discretion. The Department cannot comment on pending investigation/enforcement.
Enforcements and Decisions
- You may access and review published DBR Decisions on Municipal Liquor Appeals here.
- Enforcement actions taken by DBR, as well as certain decisions on applications that include full legal analysis and discussion here.