Before booking a venue, you must verify it is not too close to protected places like schools, churches, or hospitals.
Securing a Temporary Event Approval (TEA) involves more than just submitting paperwork and paying a fee. One of the most critical—and often overlooked—steps is verifying that your chosen venue is physically eligible for alcohol service.
Before you sign a contract for that pop-up garden party or warehouse festival, you must ensure the location meets the TABC’s strict eligibility requirements. If the location fails, your permit request will be denied.
1. The "No Double Dipping" Rule
A fundamental rule for Temporary Event Approvals is that the specific location generally cannot have another TABC permit associated with it.
This means you cannot obtain a temporary approval for a space that is already licensed under another active TABC permit. For example, if you are catering an event at a venue that already holds its own Mixed Beverage Permit, you typically cannot layer your permit on top of theirs for the same area. The venue’s existing permit would likely govern alcohol service there.
2. Protected Places: Schools, Churches, and Hospitals
Just like your permanent bar or restaurant, your temporary event location must respect distance requirements from "protected places." You must affirm that the location is not too close to a school, church, or other location where alcohol is illegal to possess or sell.
Schools: The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code allows cities to prohibit alcohol sales within 300 feet of a school.
Churches & Hospitals: The City of Dallas also restricts alcohol sales within 300 feet of churches and hospitals.
⚠️ Compliance Alert: Do not assume a location is safe just because it hosted an event last year. New schools or churches can pop up, changing the eligibility of a venue. You may need to check with the City of Dallas to confirm the current status.
3. Landlord Permission is Mandatory
You cannot simply set up a bar on someone else's property—even public property—without proof of consent.
The Requirement: You must obtain written permission from the property owner (Landlord).
The Process: This written permission must be provided to the TABC as part of your application.
4. Affirming Legality
When you submit your request, you are required to affirm that it is legal to sell alcohol at that specific location. This places the burden of due diligence on you. You must ensure the venue is in a "wet" area for the type of alcohol you intend to sell and that it complies with local zoning ordinances.
💡 Storm Liquor License Pro-Tip: If you are looking at a venue in a new development or a repurposed industrial space, double-check the address against the City of Dallas zoning map. A quick check now saves you from a rejection letter 10 days before your event.
Don't Risk a Venue Rejection
Finding the perfect venue is hard enough without worrying about zoning laws and distance checks. We can help you verify your event location’s eligibility before you commit.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TABC regulations are subject to change.
