It is unlawful for any person to engage in the sale of beer within the unincorporated area of Knox County without a beer permit issued by the Knox County Clerk and approved by the County Commission.
Application Process
Applicants planning to sell beer within the unincorporated area of the county shall complete and file one original beer permit application with the Knox County Clerk. You may download the Application for Knox County Beer Permit, or visit the Knox County Clerk’s Office in the Old Courthouse, 300 Main Street, Suite 237, Knoxville, TN 37902. The non-refundable fee for the permit is $250.00. If beer was sold at the location previously and the new applicant has purchased the existing business, the outstanding permit must be surrendered to the county clerk before the new permit is issued.
In order to be placed on the County Commission agenda, an applicant must file an application with the county clerk prior to the next scheduled County Commission meeting. Contact our office at 215-3441 for filing deadlines. The Board of Commissioners meets in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building on the 4th Monday at 4:00pm (except holidays). Applicants must be present at this meeting. Each beer permit application shall be notarized two times, one time by the signature of the applicant and one time by the signature of the witnesses.
Business License Requirement
The applicant must obtain a valid Knox County Business Tax License. If the application is for an existing business, the previous owner(s) must file a final business tax return and close their account with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Call the business license office at 215-2392 for inquiries.
Server Training and Certification
Employees selling or serving alcoholic beverages within the unincorporated areas of Knox County, must attend and complete a program of alcoholic beverage server training approved by the Knox County Sheriff’s Department. To obtain a list of trainers, contact the Knox County Clerk's Office at 215-3441.
Please call the Knox County Commission Library at 215-3441 for further details.
