Nevada Alcohol Delivery Update

The Nevada Department of Taxation has published a letter summarizing recent changes to Nevada’s liquor laws. One recent change was the creation of a framework for licensed retailers and unaffiliated third-party delivery support services to deliver alcoholic beverages to Nevada customers. The Department’s letter provides that Nevada law was “amended to allow a retail liquor store or a delivery support service acting on behalf of a retail liquor store to deliver liquor in its original package to consumers in Nevada.’

This letter, however, may be misleading. Despite this change in Nevada state liquor law, many local Nevada jurisdictions still prohibit, or otherwise regulate deliveries of retail alcoholic beverages. Additionally, the new state law  directs the Department of Taxation to adopt regulations for the delivery and to encourage local governments to allow deliveries. The Department of Taxation has not yet written or adopted such delivery regulations.

Currently, the City of Las Vegas is the only Nevada jurisdiction allowing third-party delivery companies to apply for delivery licenses or permits. Other jurisdictions like Clark County currently limit deliveries just to grocery stores, while other jurisdictions may prohibit all deliveries.

While the recent change to Nevada law does not itself allow retailers to begin delivering, it will likely lead to additional changes in local liquor codes to permit expanded delivery operations in the future.

The attorneys at Saltzman Mugan Dushoff are available to assist your business with compliance with Nevada state and local alcohol delivery regulations.