CRA – Liquor Licensing
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Regulatory Agency (CRA), also known as the Office of Alcohol Beverage Control (OABC), is the primary agency in the regulation and control of spirituous liquors within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. CRA has the authority to grant and deny liquor applications, adopt rules and regulations regarding spirituous liquor, and hold hearings for determining whether to grant or deny a liquor license. In addition, CRA has the authority to investigate and enforce compliance of all State and Community liquor laws, rules and regulations on those licensed premises that are within its jurisdiction.
Types of Liquor Licenses
- Casino
- Restaurant
- Hotel/Motel
- Golf Course
- Government
- Business Ancillary
- Special Event
How to Apply for a Community Liquor License
To obtain a Community Liquor License, the applicant must first apply with the Arizona Department of Liquor License and Control (ADLLC) on an application form provided. Once ADLLC receives the application, a copy of the application will be sent to CRA for review and processing. From the date ADLLC receives the application, CRA has sixty (60) days to process the application and make a decision as to whether to deny or approve the application.
Once CRA receives a copy of the ADLLC application, the applicant will be sent a notification letter explaining the CRA process for the application review. CRA will require the business, and those listed on the application to submit to a background investigation. Those listed on the application will be required to submit fingerprints on fingerprint cards provided by CRA, as well as, a financial history release form. Those listed on the application may have their fingerprints processed by CRA at no charge. The location to have fingerprints processed is at 8840 E. Chaparral Rd. Suite 165, Scottsdale, AZ 85250. The applicant is required to pay an original licensing fee and if approved, will be required to pay a yearly renewal fee thereafter. The fees are as follows:
| Licenses | Original | Renewal |
| Restaurant | $2,000.00 | $500.00 |
| Hotel/Motel | $2,000.00 | $500.00 |
| Golf Course | $2,000.00 | $500.00 |
| Casino | $2,500.00 | $750.00 |
| Government | $200.00 | $100.00 |
| Business Ancillary | $200.00 | $100.00 |
| Special Event | $200.00 | N/A |
| Private Event | N/A | N/A |
CRA will post a public hearing notice on the proposed licensed premises and will hold a public hearing to allow the public to voice their opinion as to the approval or denial of the liquor application. The Director will make a decision to either deny or approve the application. If the application is approved, CRA will notify ADLLC and will send the applicant a notification letter notifying the applicant of the CRA approval. The applicant is required to provide CRA with a copy of the State license prior to the issuance of the Community liquor license. If the application is denied, the applicant has the right to file an appeal to the Community Manager within 15 business days.
Business Ancillary License
A Community Business Ancillary License is given to businesses/schools that serve alcoholic beverages as part of a cooking demonstration or cooking class; or is a school offering degree programs in the culinary arts.
Special Event License
A special event liquor license is a temporary license that authorizes, the sale or the service without sale, of liquor at an event for a limited time in the Community.
Charitable Event – If a bonafide charitable organization is not in the primary business of selling food or alcohol, and wants to hold a charitable event within the Community and with service of alcohol, sell and consume alcoholic beverages at the event, the organization may apply for a Community Special Event Liquor License. An application must be filed at least 45 days prior to the event. An application may be obtained by a request of CRA or this website. Each charitable organization may be issued a special event license no more than 10 consecutive days. An unlicensed location can hold no more than 12 events per calendar year and if a licensed location, may have unlimited events per year. The applicant will be required to pay a non-refundable licensing fee of $200.00 and agree to pay any additional cost to for police or other staffing. The applicant may be required to obtain a Special Use Permit from Community Development Department. Additionally, the applicant must meet all Arizona State laws, rules and regulations. For specific details, please review the Community’s Code of Ordinances Sec. 14-55(6)(b)(1)-(5).
Private Event – Alcoholic beverages may be possessed and consumed (and not sold) at a private event of a bona fide commercial entity who is a lessee within the Community’s designated area as defined by Section 14-25(f)(1)-(7), one-time a calendar year, if the following conditions are met:
- the host is serving alcohol beverages free of charge and there is no fee to be admitted into the private event;
- the event is private and only open to a known group of guests (and not the public);
- the host is a commercial tenant within the Community;
- the host has a Business License with the Community;
- the host notifies CRA at least 30 days prior to the event by the filing of a notification form as prescribed by CRA, and that provides specifics as to the private event, agrees in writing to follow all applicable Community laws and Arizona State alcoholic beverage laws, and also agrees to assumes all risk and liability for any damages that may occur as a result of this event;
- CRA is aware in writing (private event application) of the event at least 30 days prior to it being held and is able to provide notice of the event to the SRPD and any other necessary departments; and
- the host agrees to obtain a special use permit or other licensing depending on the size and nature of the event (including any additional costs to provide police or other staffing), at the direction of CRA.