Alcohol Licenses

A license is required to sell alcohol products in Washington County:

• Any beer or malt liquor with an alcohol content of 3.2% or less by weight.
• Any liquor products.

The local regulation is automatically assigned to the city or township of where the retail establishment is located. However, some cities or townships may choose to delegate this authority to Washington County.

Cities are the licensing authority for establishments located within a city in the county.
The following townships are under Washington County's jurisdiction:

• Baytown Township
• Denmark Township
• Grey Cloud Township
• May Township
• Stillwater Township
• West Lakeland Township

If your business is not located in one of these townships, please contact the city clerk of your establishment's location for licensing information.

Apply for a license to sell beer or liquor:

1. Get an application: Get your application from the Property Records and Taxpayer Services department at the Government Center, 14949 62nd Street N., Stillwater.

If applying to sell liquor products:

1. Complete a Sheriff's investigation: A Sheriff's investigation is required for new establishments or a change of ownership for an existing establishment. The investigation fee is $200.
2. Show proof of liquor liability insurance: Depending on the type of license, liquor liability insurance may be required.
3. Receive approval. The following entities must approve the license:
   • Township.
   • Washington County Sheriff.
   • Washington County Attorney.
   • Washington County Public Health and Environment.
   • The State Liquor Control Board grants final approval.

If you have any questions, call 651-430-6175.

Business resources

Age verification tools

• Tobacco Signage 2026 (PDF).
• Alcohol and Tobacco Signage 2026 (PDF).
• Check the ID (PDF): A tool for reading MN drivers licenses, forms of ID and tips about the sale of tobacco.
• Digital Age Verification Calendar: A free resource for retailers to help determine if a customer is old enough to legally purchase tobacco products.
• ID Checking Guide enables servers to make accurate, on-the-spot verification of driver’s licenses and ID cards.

Alcohol Server Training

This training will benefit licensees by reducing the chances that an incident may happen, and liability lawsuits might occur. Also, many liquor liability insurance companies offer premium discounts to insured’s that have such training.

• Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA) Training.
• Serv Safe Alcohol Training (available in English and Spanish).
• TIPS Alcohol Training for on-premise, off-premise, casino gaming and concessions.
• Serving Alcohol Inc. - MN Alcohol Seller Server Course for on-premise and off-premise.

Other resources

• Protect Your Business Manual (PDF): A resource for businesses that sell alcohol and tobacco products in Washington County.
• Preventing Sales to Intoxicated Patrons.
• Warning Poster (PDF) for age of sale, penalties, and drinking during pregnancy.
• Tobacco Retail Sales – Webpage for tobacco retail sale licensing and resources in Washington County
• Cannabis and Hemp Retail Sales – Webpage for cannabis and hemp retail sales licensing and resources in Washington County
• Tobacco, Alcohol, Cannabis and Other Drugs – Webpage with resources on youth prevention, substance use help, and fact sheets.