New Hanover County Finance Department

County Beer and Wine Business/Privilege License

A restaurant, coffee shop or store that sells beer or wine in New Hanover County buys an annual county Business/Privilege License from the Finance Department. The Business / Privilege Licenses page states: 'A county Business/Privilege License is only required for the sale of beer and/or wine. Any business selling beer and/or wine in New Hanover County is required to annually purchase a Business/Privilege License from the Finance Department. This license must be obtained prior to the sale of beer and/or wine.' It adds that a municipal and/or state license must be obtained before the county license is issued, and links the North Carolina ABC Commission and each of the four municipalities. The rates are beer on premises $25, beer off premises $5, beer on and off premises $25, beer and wine on premises $50, beer and wine off premises $30, beer and wine on and off premises $50, beer on and wine off premises $50, and wine (on, off, or both) $25. The figure is as published in the New Hanover County Fee Schedule FY26-27, whose footer reads 'Fee Schedule FY26-27 (Revised 7-01-26)', for the fiscal year that runs to June 30, 2027. The county's Beverage License Application prints the same combinations, and states: 'If applicant possesses a State Permit, although he does not sell alcoholic beverages, he must purchase a County License.' The page states that the license is valid for one year and must be renewed prior to July 1st of each year, and that late renewals carry a penalty of 5% of the year's tax per month, up to 25%, with a $5.00 minimum.