In Texas, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) regulates the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. As part of promoting transparency and public awareness, businesses with alcoholic beverage permits are obligated to prominently display specific signs on their premises. In this blog post, we will list the items that the TABC requires be posted at bars, restaurants, and similar establishments in Texas that sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.
TABC Permit
The most fundamental item to post is your establishment’s TABC permit or license itself. It should be prominently displayed near the entrance or in an easily visible location, indicating that the establishment is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages. The permit should be easily identifiable and up-to-date. The TABC Permit contains essential information about the establishment, including the alcoholic beverage permits held, the name and mailing address of the permit-holding business (typically a limited liability company or "LLC"), the business's physical address, and the expiration date.
Remember: TABC permits and licenses expire every two years. The renewal window begins 30 days before expiration, so it is crucial to mark your calendars.
Although the TABC may email the representatives associated with your TABC AIMS account, it is not advisable to rely solely on this notification. Once your expiration date passes, you will be unable to buy alcohol from your vendors, sell alcohol to clients, or otherwise use your permit. Check out our blog on renewals.
Health Risks Warning Sign
Alcohol consumption can have significant health implications when consumed irresponsibly or excessively. Recognizing the importance of informing the public about the potential health risks associated with alcohol during pregnancy, the state of Texas mandates that businesses selling alcoholic beverages prominently display a health risks warning sign.
The Health Risks Warning Sign must meet the following basic requirements:
Text: The sign must state the following in both English and Spanish:
Drinking any type of alcohol while pregnant can hurt your baby’s brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs and can cause birth defects. The safest choice is not to drink at all when you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. If you might be pregnant, think before you drink.
Font and Visibility: The text on the sign must be easily readable and legible from a reasonable distance and should display a font size of no less than the equivalent 28 point Arial or Helvetica font.
Size: The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) mandates that the health risks warning sign be at least 8.5 inches by 11 inches in size.
Placement: It should be displayed prominently and conspicuously at the exit of all restrooms, including both men’s and women’s restrooms.
The TABC offers a digital download of the Health Risks Warning Sign on its website. Simply print the sign on 8 ½” x 11” white paper and post it at each restroom. Many people take the extra step of having the sign professionally printed on a more durable material, such as aluminum or plastic. Doing so complies with the law, as long as the sign meets the requirements listed above.
Public Information/Complaint Sign
Texas law also mandates that businesses selling alcoholic beverages prominently display a Public Information/Complaint Sign. This sign highlights the various methods available to the public for submitting complaints about bars and restaurants to the TABC, including online submissions, the toll-free complaint hotline, email or written complaints, and in-person visits to TABC offices. The most recent version of the sign includes a QR Code that links to a page on the TABC’s website further describing the ways in which they accept complaints.
The Public Information/Complaint Sign must meet the following requirements:
Text: The text on the sign is prescribed by the TABC Rules:
If you have a complaint about the sale or service of alcoholic beverages in this establishment, please contact the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission by mail at P.O. Box 13127, Austin, Texas 78711-3127, by or phone at 1-888-THE-TABC , by internet at https://www.tabc.texas.gov/, or by a TABC-authorized mobile application.
(Note that as of June 21, 2023, the TABC’s digital download of the Public Information/Complain Sign does not follow the Rule’s language. Even so, our recommendation is to use the TABC’s digital download.)
Placement: The public information and complaint sign must be displayed conspicuously within the premises of the establishment, ensuring that it is easily visible to customers. Common locations include near the entrance or at a cash register.
Size and Material: The Public Information/Complaint Sign must be printed on paper having a weight of at least #65 stock and should be at least 6” x 3 ½”.
For more information on the ways complaints can be filed against TABC license or permit holders, check out the TABC web page titled File a Business Complaint.
Human Trafficking Warning Sign
Human trafficking is a serious crime that affects millions of people worldwide, including within the United States. To raise awareness and aid in the prevention of human trafficking, Texas implemented a law in 2007 requiring businesses selling alcoholic beverages to prominently display a human trafficking warning sign.
Here is what you need to know about the Human Trafficking Warning Sign:
Food & Beverage Certificate Holders Exempt. Texas law includes an exemption for businesses that hold a food and beverage certificate from the human trafficking warning sign requirement.
While other mixed beverage permit, wine and malt beverage permit, and other on-premises permit holders must prominently display the sign, the exemption acknowledges that some businesses primarily focus on food service rather than alcohol sales.
It is important for food and beverage certificate holders to remain vigilant and educate their staff and customers about the signs of human trafficking, even though they are exempt from displaying the warning sign.
Design and Format. The sign should be at least 8 ½” x 11” and should be in both English and Spanish.
Information and Resources: The sign must include the the sign must include the contact information for reporting suspicious activity to the Texas Department of Public Safety as well as the following text:
WARNING: Obtaining forced labor or services is a crime under Texas law. Call the national human trafficking hotline: 1-888-373-7888. You may remain anonymous.
Placement: The human trafficking warning sign must be displayed conspicuously within the premises, in an area visible to customers and employees. Common locations include entrances, restrooms, near the point of sale, or in areas where other mandatory signs are posted.
Red Handgun Warning Sign Required for Bars
Referred to by the TABC as the Red Handgun Warning Sign, these signs serve as an indication that concealed firearms are prohibited on the premises of establishments that derive 51% or more of their sales from the sale of alcohol. Carrying a firearm in such a premises can result in severe penalties for the gun owner, so it is important to post these signs not only for the bar’s compliance but for the public as well.
Blue No Gun Sign No Longer Valid
Previously, under Texas law, certain bars and restaurants were mandated to exhibit a “Blue Gun Sign” to indicate the prohibition of concealed firearms on their premises. However, as of September 1, 2021 and the change in Texas law allowing for permitless carrying of weapons, this requirement has been repealed. While the blue gun sign is no longer necessary, businesses still have the option to prohibit firearms on their property by posting a written notice in compliance with state regulations.
Posting Requirements from Other Authorities
Besides the items required to be posted by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code or the TABC Rules, there are other required postings that bar and restaurant owners should note.
Sales Tax Permit
Bar and restaurant owners in Texas must hold a TABC permit that authorizes the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption. Before you can acquire one of these permits you must first have a Texas Sales Tax Permit. Texas requires businesses to prominently display their sales tax permit in a visible location within their establishment. This permit serves as proof of compliance with sales tax requirements and signifies that the business is authorized to collect and remit sales tax to the state.
Certificate of Occupancy
Cities and counties in Texas also have the authority to regulate bars and restaurants in many respects. Many cities require a bar or restaurant to display its Certificate of Occupancy in a visible location within the premises. The Certificate of Occupancy serves as official documentation, indicating that the establishment meets all relevant building codes, fire safety regulations, and zoning requirements. By prominently displaying this certificate, owners demonstrate their compliance with local laws and their dedication to providing a safe environment for patrons.
Health Department
Health requirements often vary by city, but here are a few items that may need to be posted at your establishment: food manager certificates, handwashing signs, no smoking signs, reporting symptoms and diagnosis signs. Check with your local health department to confirm what signs are required in your area.
Ensuring compliance with the posting requirements established by Texas law and enforced by the TABC is essential for businesses holding alcoholic beverage permits. By understanding and adhering to these regulations, establishments can foster transparency, public awareness, and prioritize the safety of their customers.
To assist you in streamlining your compliance efforts, we have created a permit-specific chart that summarizes the TABC posting requirements for restaurants in Texas holding a mixed beverage permit with a food and beverage certificate. This valuable resource provides clear descriptions of each sign, along with placement guidelines and convenient links for easy printing. Simplify your compliance process and guarantee that your establishment fulfills all necessary obligations with our user-friendly chart.
If you are seeking further guidance on TABC compliance or are interested in TABC Permit Management services offered by Ashley through Storm Ruleman, PLLC, feel free to book a complimentary consultation with Ashley. Additionally, consider joining our mailing list to receive future free resources and similar permit-specific charts as they become available.
Please note that Storm Liquor License is an online resource dedicated to providing educational information — this is not legal advice.
