Quick answer
Retail On-Sale Liquor licenses cover beer, wine and spirits consumed on the licensed premises.
Renewal
The usual license year ends December thirty-first. Manufacturer licenses and the specified statutory category use a June thirtieth year-end.
View official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
Municipal or county governing body, with state secretary approval.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
If the governing body of the municipality or county approves the application, the governing body shall endorse the approval on the application. The licensee is entitled to operate under the license for the succeeding licensing year if the license is approved by the secretary.
Official sourcePrepare your application
Apply with the agency
Open the official agency page
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Contact your local finance officer for the availability of licenses, the cost and what the local process is for obtaining a license.
Official sourceConfirm your next step with the agency
Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.
Open the official agency page
What else should I know?
Agency guidance
Retail On-Sale Liquor licenses cover beer, wine and spirits consumed on the licensed premises.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Anyone selling alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and spirits, for customers to consume on the licensed premises must purchase a Retail On-Sale Liquor License.
Official sourceAgency guidance
Package Off-Sale Liquor licenses cover alcohol sold by the package for consumption away from the licensed premises.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Anyone selling alcoholic beverages by the package for consumers to consume off of the licensed premises must purchase a Package Off-Sale Liquor license.
Official sourceAgency guidance
The general license cycle ends December 31 of the next year; licenses under subdivision 35-4-2(16) and manufacturer licenses instead use a June 30 cycle. Consult the exact class before renewing.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The period covered by licenses under this title is from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of December to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of the next December.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the period covered by any license issued pursuant to subdivision 35-4-2(16) and any manufacturer license issued under this title shall be from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of June to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of the next June.
Official sourceWhen do I renew, and is CE required?
Renewal
The usual license year ends December thirty-first. Manufacturer licenses and the specified statutory category use a June thirtieth year-end.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The period covered by licenses under this title is from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of December to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of the next December.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the period covered by any license issued pursuant to subdivision 35-4-2(16) and any manufacturer license issued under this title shall be from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of June to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of the next June.
Official sourceHave a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.
What does it cost?
Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.
What are the common questions?
How often do I renew a retail alcohol license license in South Dakota?
The usual license year ends December thirty-first. Manufacturer licenses and the specified statutory category use a June thirtieth year-end.
Source and quotation
The period covered by licenses under this title is from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of December to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of the next December.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the period covered by any license issued pursuant to subdivision 35-4-2(16) and any manufacturer license issued under this title shall be from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of June to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of the next June.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Which official sources support this guide?
Official sources and verification (7)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
BoardMunicipal or county governing body, with state secretary approval.
Municipal or county governing body, with state secretary approval.
If the governing body of the municipality or county approves the application, the governing body shall endorse the approval on the application. The licensee is entitled to operate under the license for the succeeding licensing year if the license is approved by the secretary.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Apply with the agencyOpen the official agency page
https://dor.sd.gov/businesses/taxes/alcohol/liquor-retailers-other-liquor-licenses/
Contact your local finance officer for the availability of licenses, the cost and what the local process is for obtaining a license.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceRetail On-Sale Liquor licenses cover beer, wine and spirits consumed on the licensed premises.
Retail On-Sale Liquor licenses cover beer, wine and spirits consumed on the licensed premises.
Anyone selling alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and spirits, for customers to consume on the licensed premises must purchase a Retail On-Sale Liquor License.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidancePackage Off-Sale Liquor licenses cover alcohol sold by the package for consumption away from the licensed premises.
Package Off-Sale Liquor licenses cover alcohol sold by the package for consumption away from the licensed premises.
Anyone selling alcoholic beverages by the package for consumers to consume off of the licensed premises must purchase a Package Off-Sale Liquor license.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceThe general license cycle ends December 31 of the next year; licenses under subdivision 35-4-2(16) and manufacturer licenses instead use a June 30 cycle. Consult the exact class before renewing.
The general license cycle ends December 31 of the next year; licenses under subdivision 35-4-2(16) and manufacturer licenses instead use a June 30 cycle. Consult the exact class before renewing.
The period covered by licenses under this title is from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of December to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of the next December.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the period covered by any license issued pursuant to subdivision 35-4-2(16) and any manufacturer license issued under this title shall be from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of June to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of the next June.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
RenewalThe usual license year ends December thirty-first. Manufacturer licenses and the specified statutory category use a June thirtieth year-end.
The period covered by licenses under this title is from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of December to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of the next December.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the period covered by any license issued pursuant to subdivision 35-4-2(16) and any manufacturer license issued under this title shall be from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of June to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of the next June. Applies to: South Dakota alcohol licenses; the quoted rule includes the class-specific June 30 exception.
The period covered by licenses under this title is from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of December to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirty-first day of the next December.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the period covered by any license issued pursuant to subdivision 35-4-2(16) and any manufacturer license issued under this title shall be from twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of June to twelve o'clock midnight on the thirtieth day of the next June.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, required hours, exam, continuing education — see the official agency.