How to read California ABC license applications
License types, ORI vs ownership transfers, and what the 30-day posting means.
What the daily report shows
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control posts new applications by day, with the license type and an action code. We read ORI (an original application) and PRM (a licensed business moving to a new address). We leave out PER, an ownership change at an existing place, which is most of the file.
What an application means
An application is an early signal. It can be protested or denied, and it can take months.
Los Angeles and San Francisco
These two cities publish business registrations with a location start date, for every trade. They're the only all-trades data here, and start dates can run ahead, so we drop anything more than 30 days out.
What isn't here
California's statewide seller's-permit file is a paid order and we haven't bought it. Until then, a salon in Fresno won't show up, for example.
Sources: California ABC license applications and Los Angeles and San Francisco business registrations. Written from the public records themselves; check with the agency for anything legal or binding.
More guides
Get the California list every Monday
Free. The week’s new names, in one short email.
We only email you about California New Openings. Unsubscribe any time. Monday emails begin once this list clears our launch review.