The Lexington Division of Police Alcoholic Beverage Control Unit was established in 1998 and is currently within the Bureau of Investigation of the Division of Police. The Unit’s primary function is to process and issue alcoholic beverage control licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages within Fayette County and investigate complaints involving license holders. The ABC Unit also works closely with state and local governmental agencies and civic groups in a collaborative effort to reduce underage drinking and other issues associated with the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages.
In order to legally sell alcoholic beverages, a person or business must apply for and be issued a Lexington Fayette Urban County Government ABC license and a Commonwealth of Kentucky ABC license. The cost of the licenses varies greatly depending on the license type. License holders are also required to renew their local and state ABC licenses annually. 
Application Process:
The application process typically takes between thirty to forty-five days to complete. Applications are to be filed with the Lexington Division of Police Alcoholic Beverage Control Office prior to submitting the application to the Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control in Frankfort, Kentucky. The process for obtaining a local and state alcoholic beverage control license runs concurrently and most of the required paperwork is identical. The license application includes the completion or submission of the following: a basic application, a statewide criminal history for all owners of 10% or more to include all states where the applicant has resided within the previous five years, a copy of a valid lease for the property to be licensed or proof of applicant ownership of the property – the lease must extend through the entire licensing period, a copy of the stamped Articles of Incorporation, if applicable, and a copy of the floor plan for the premise. Applicants will also be required to run a one day advertisement in the local newspaper announcing their intention to apply for an alcoholic beverage control license. Inspections of the premise will also be required by the Division of Building Inspection, Division of Fire, Division of Revenue and the Fayette County Health Department. A site inspection by a representative of the Lexington Division of Police Alcoholic Beverage Control Unit will also take place upon the completion of the application process.
Application Forms and Information:
Download State ABC Application Forms from Kentucky ABC Office (Submit a copy of the completed forms to the Lexington ABC Office and send originals to Kentucky ABC Office)
Lexington ABC General Requirements Information (Required by Lexington ABC Office)
Lexington Keg Tag Order Form (Required for retail sale of kegs)
Final Inspections Form
Instructions for obtaining an ABC Temporary License
Application for Dance Permit (Instructions, application and inspection forms for Dance Permit)
ABC Responsible Server Training Guide
City Ordinances - Chapter 3 "Alcoholic Beverage Control"
Things to Remember:
Contact the Division of Building Inspection to inquire about zoning restrictions prior to signing a lease.
If you obtain application forms from the Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control website, make sure you obtain and complete the additional Lexington Fayette Urban County Government forms.
File the application with the Lexington Division of Police Alcoholic Beverage Control Office prior to submitting it to the Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Make sure the Basic Application is signed and notarized.