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1. How many liquor licenses are there in Rahway?

There are a total of 31 licenses in the City of Rahway. There are 4 Club Licenses, 1 Hotel/ Motel License, 21 Plenary Retail Consumption Licenses (bars or restaurants), with one being a Plenary Retail Consumption License with Broad C (It can act as both a liquor store and a bar/restaurant), and 5 Plenary Retail Distribution Licenses (Liquor Stores).

Currently, there is 1 Plenary Retail Distribution License in "Pocket" status (it isn't established/ in use at an establishment) and 7 Plenary Retail Consumption Licenses in "Pocket" status.

2. Are There Any Liquor Licenses For Sale?

To view any municipal liquor licenses that may be available for purchase, please click here.

3. What Is Required For Liquor License Renewal?

Active & Pocket Licenses

1. Tax Clearance from the State Division of Taxation
   • In order for the State to issue the clearance certificate, you must have a valid corporate charter and:
     • Be current on State tax filings; and
     • Payments; or
     • Be current on your approved Deferred Payment Plan.
2. $200 payable to the State of New Jersey through the POSSE system
3. Fees paid to the City of Rahway by cash, check, or money order. Debit and Credit Cards are currently not accepted. 
   1. For Club Licenses: $150 
   2. For all Others, $2000

Pocket Licenses Only

You may need to file a 12.39 relief form through POSSE for holding an inactive license, which costs $100 per term you are requesting relief.

Late Fees

The City of Rahway does not charge late fees. However, the State has deterrent procedures, which include additional forms to fill out and fees. 

4. Where Can I Find The Laws and Regulations Regarding Establishments Which Serve or Sell Alcohol?

Please refer to the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Retail Licensee Handbook and the City of Rahway Municipal Code.

5. What is the State website (POSSE) and how do I access it?

The State website (POSSE) is where you will renew your license yearly, put in for an extension of premise application, and more. Click here to go to their website page featuring all the permits offered.

You can also click here to login into your POSSE account. 

6. I'm Having Issues Accessing My POSSE Account, Who Can Help Me?

You will need to either e-mail the State or you can call them at 609-984-2830. The representatives of the City of Rahway have limited access to POSSE, which is restricted to endorsing or rejecting the renewal of licenses and permit applications.

7. What Documents Are Required To Transfer A Liquor License In The City Of Rahway?

In order to do a Person to Person or Place to Place transfer, you need the following documents:

1.  Transfer Checklist (2019) & Liquor applicant procedure | Contains fees, procedures, and contact information
2. Liquor License Application PD
3. EMAIL NOTIFICATION FORM 
4. bulk_sale_permit 2018
5. ABC-12-Page-Application-PDF
6. ABC Updated Fingerprints form
7. ABC Liquor License RELEASE AUTHORIZATION

8. I Don't Have Tax Clearance, Who Can I Contact?

Please contact your caseworker that you are currently corresponding with at the New Jersey Division of Taxation or, if you don't have a caseworker, email the ABC Clearance Unit at the Division of Taxation.

9. I Need An Ad Interim Permit, What Is Required?

TO OBTAIN AN AD INTERIM PERMIT, A LICENSEE IS REQUIRED TO HAVE:

1. Filed a renewal application (through POSSE or paper template renewal) and paid the $200 state renewal filing fee
2. Paid the $2000 municipal filing fee
3.  Submitted an Ad interim permit application through the Division’s online licensing system (POSSE). Permit application fee - $75, plus daily fee of $5 per day (payable by e-check or credit card)
4. A renewal clearance certificate from the Division of Taxation - Full clearance or interim “temporary” clearance
   • If the licensee has received an interim “temporary” tax clearance certificate, it MUST be uploaded to the online permit application.

Once the licensee has submitted the application it will automatically be transmitted to the municipal clerk or ABC Board Secretary for endorsement in POSSE.

Once endorsed, it will be automatically transmitted to ABC for review and issuance.  Once issued, the licensee will receive an email notification that the permit has been issued and a copy of the permit. It must be displayed at the licensed premises.

Ad Intermit permit applications must be submitted through the POSSE ABC Online Licensing System. Under no circumstances will the Division accept a paper application for an Ad Interim Permit. 

10. I Submitted A Permit Application Through POSSE But Haven't Gotten A Response, When Will I?

If you wish to follow up on an application, please contact the ABC Secretary with the file number that you were given by the State.

11. I need to amend/change/switch or update my email address on POSSE, how do I do that?

Unfortunately, as of July 5th, 2022, you are unable to change your email address and the POSSE Admin cannot/will not either. You will have to create a new user account on POSSE (LINK). During the account registration process, you will be asked for an access code.  You must have the access code in order to be linked to the account at the time of registration.  

If you register an account without the access code, you must follow the procedure below to be linked. Please be advised that POSSE Admin does not provide access codes.

If you have already registered a new user account without the access code, you must fulfill & notarize this attached Affidavit (LINK) & submit a request to posseadmin@lps.state.nj.us to be linked to the account.  The email ID & the name with which that email ID is associated listed on the form MUST have an active account in the POSSE system & the name on the account must be listed in the affidavit; if the name listed does not match the name in the account to be linked, the request cannot be processed.  The SUBJECT of the e‐mail must state “Affidavit of Representation”.  Any e‐mails sent that do not use the correct subject may be lost within other subject matter and create a delay in the assignment.