Gun Free Zone

State law prohibits the carrying or possession of firearms on premises where alcohol is served for on premise consumption. For the purpose of informing the general public that firearms are not permitted, licensees are encouraged to post signs stating that under New Jersey law firearms are not permitted on the premises. To assist in this effort, the Office of the Attorney General has created “Gun Free Zone” stickers that may be used to effectuate the notice described above. These stickers and posters are available free of charge; information on how to obtain them can be found here. Signs and/or stickers should be conspicuously posted at the primary entrance(s) of the establishment.

ABC Advisory Notice AN 2024-01 – Notice to the Industry Regarding Firearms in Bars and Restaurants

Attention all Brand Registrants

The Brand/Product renewal process will begin on November 15, 2024, at which time Brand Registrants may initiate the renewal of their product(s) in POSSE.

The data on your renewal application reflects the products that were registered before November 15, 2024. If you have product(s) to renew that the UPC code is not in compliance or is a duplication, you must submit a” UPC update amendment”, before the renewal application can be submitted. This product amendment will be free of charge until December 31, 2024, which is the expiration of the renewal period.

All products that are registered on or after November 16, 2024 will expire December 31, 2025, and therefore, do not have to be renewed at this time. The renewal fee is $23 per product and all fees related to product renewals are non-refundable by the division.

Notice Requesting Comment on ABC’s Proposed Prescribed Template for Current Price List Filings.

The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is requesting your comments on ABC’s proposed prescribed template for the Current Price Listing (CPL) pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:2-26.4(a)(4).  Comments, if any, are due by July 5, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact DAG Andrew Sapolnick at andrew.sapolnick@njoag.gov.  The Notice can be viewed here.

Covid-19 Expansion of Premise Permits (Update October 28, 2022):

On August 3, 2022, Governor Murphy signed P.L. 2022, c. 85, which automatically extends the expiration date of any Covid-19 Expansion of Premise Permit issued by the Division to November 30, 2024.  If a licensee possesses a Covid-19 Expansion of Premise Permit, no renewal application is required.  A copy of the Covid-19 Expansion of Premise Permit certificate (with the November 30, 2024 expiration date) has been emailed to each permit-holding licensee.  In accordance with the new law, municipalities may file an objection to the continued operation of the permit with the Division.

New Covid-19 Expansion of Premise Permits require municipal zoning pre-approval pursuant to P.L. 2021, c. 15 before an application for a Covid-19 Expansion of Premise permit can be considered by ABC.

See Administrative Order 2022-04 for more information on the Covid-19 Expansion of Premise Permit and the Open Container Area Law, P.L. 2021, c. 395

Communications Update

ATTENTION – E-Mail is the preferred method to communicate with ABC. In-person visits to ABC offices are discouraged and none are permitted without an appointment. ABC staff are available by email and telephone. Applicants and licensees are encouraged to communicate by email. Payments due to ABC should be made by E-check or credit card. If you have a question or need information, send an email to ABCpublic@njoag.gov for a prompt reply. 

ABC subscribes to a telephone translation service. If English is not your first language, please tell the ABC representative that you would like a translator. You will be asked to provide the language and/or dialect of your choice. You will be placed on hold for a short time in order to allow ABC to contact the translation service.

Many ABC services are available through POSSE, the ABC on-line licensing system. Applications available on POSSE must be submitted on line. If you need assistance with passwords, online access codes, or any technical POSSE issue, please send an email to posseadmin@njoag.gov with your license number and POSSE user ID and a brief description of the problem. If you call by phone, it may take longer to resolve your issue.

Seasonal Farm Market Permits

Applications for the Daily and Seasonal Farm Market permits are now available for certain manufacturing licensees (limited brewery, restricted brewery, farm winery, plenary winery, craft distillery, cidery and meadery) and must be filed on-line through POSSE. No paper applications will be accepted.  The clerk and the police chief will be notified through POSSE when the application is filed, however, no action by municipal officials is required. Details are available at SR 2021-01 or contact the Counsel to the Director’s Office at (609) 984-2830.