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.