How to Fill Out California DCC Cannabis Distributor License Application + FAQs

The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) Cannabis Distributor License Application is the official form that every business moving, storing, or arranging the sale of cannabis goods between licensees in California must submit to legally operate as a Type 11 Distributor or Type 13 Distributor Transport-Only. Filing it correctly secures your seat in the state’s $5 billion regulated market and shields you from criminal exposure under the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act, known as MAUCRSA.

According to the DCC’s published license data, roughly 1 in 4 distributor applications get flagged for deficiencies on first submission, mostly due to premises diagram errors, missing owner disclosures, and improperly executed surety bonds. A botched application can delay your launch by 90 to 180 days and burn through six figures of pre-revenue capital while you wait for a corrected file to clear review.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

• 📋 How to prepare every document, ID, and disclosure before you log into the DCC Licensing Portal
• 🖊️ How to fill out each field, box, and attachment on the Annual License Application line by line
• 💵 How to calculate your correct license fee tier, post your $5,000 surety bond, and pay the $1,000 application fee
• ⚠️ How to avoid the 12 most common mistakes that trigger Notices of Incomplete Application
• ✅ How to file, track status, and respond to deficiency letters from the DCC’s Licensing Division

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

The Cannabis Distributor License Application, currently form DCC-LIC-002 (Rev. 01/2025), is the multi-section state application used by any business that wants to procure, store, transport, or arrange the sale of cannabis goods between other licensees inside California. It is administered by the Department of Cannabis Control, the consolidated agency created in 2021 that absorbed the former Bureau of Cannabis Control, CDFA CalCannabis, and CDPH Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch.

You must file this form if your business will hold cannabis goods in inventory between manufacture and retail sale, transport cannabis goods between licensed premises, arrange for laboratory testing on behalf of a manufacturer or cultivator, or collect and remit cannabis excise tax on behalf of retailers. Two distinct license types live on this single form. A Type 11 Distributor can do all of the above, including arranging testing and storing goods. A Type 13 Distributor Transport-Only can only move cannabis goods between licensees and cannot store inventory beyond what is in active transit, and a sub-designation of Type 13 called Self-Distribution Transport-Only lets cultivators and manufacturers move only their own product.

The statutory authority for this license comes from Business and Professions Code §26070, and the operating rules live in Title 4, Division 19 of the California Code of Regulations. Filing without a license, or operating outside the scope of the license you do hold, is a misdemeanor under Bus. & Prof. Code §26038 and can carry civil penalties of up to three times the license fee per violation per day.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather every item below before you open the online portal. The portal times out after 20 minutes of inactivity, and partial saves do not always preserve uploaded attachments. Walking in with a complete file is the single biggest predictor of a clean first-pass approval.

• Legal entity formation documents. Your Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, Statement of Information, or partnership agreement filed with the California Secretary of State. Without these, the DCC cannot verify that your applicant entity actually exists.
• Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). Issued by the IRS on Form SS-4. The DCC cross-checks this against your CDTFA seller’s permit and FTB tax records.
• California Seller’s Permit. Issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration under the cannabis-specific account type. Distributors collect cannabis excise tax, so this is non-negotiable.
• Surety Bond of $5,000. Issued by a surety admitted in California, payable to the State of California, on the DCC’s required bond form. Without an active bond, your license cannot issue.
• Premises Diagram. A scaled drawing showing all entrances, exits, walls, storage areas, limited-access areas, restrooms, and where each licensed activity occurs. Must be true-to-scale and clearly labeled.
• Proof of Right to Occupy. A deed, lease, or sublease covering the entire proposed premises. If you lease, you also need a landlord’s written consent acknowledging cannabis activity.
• Local Authorization or Equivalent. A local license, permit, or written confirmation from the city or county that your operation is allowed at the proposed address.
• CEQA Compliance Documentation. Either a Notice of Determination, Notice of Exemption, or local CEQA finding. Required by Public Resources Code §21000 et seq..
• Owner and Financial Interest Holder Disclosures. Names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and Live Scan results for every owner with 20% or more equity, every officer or director, and every Financial Interest Holder.
• Labor Peace Agreement (LPA). Required for any applicant with 10 or more employees, signed with a bona fide labor organization.
• Standard Operating Procedures. Written SOPs covering inventory control, transportation, security, and quality assurance.
• Bank account information. For the $1,000 application fee and the annual license fee, paid via ACH or credit card through the portal.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official application lives in two places. The DCC Licensing Portal is the primary online filing system, built on the Accela Citizen Access platform, and the PDF version of DCC-LIC-002 is available on the DCC’s “Apply for a License” page for reference, planning, and limited paper submissions. The DCC strongly prefers online filing, and paper applications are only accepted in narrow accessibility-accommodation circumstances.

To access the portal, first create a public user account on Accela Citizen Access using a valid email address you control. The DCC sends every status update, deficiency letter, and renewal notice to that email, so use a long-lived business address rather than a personal Gmail. After registration, log in, accept the terms of service, and select Cannabis from the agency dropdown, then choose Create an Application and pick Distributor (Type 11) or Distributor Transport-Only (Type 13).

The application revision date currently in force is 01/2025, printed in the lower-left footer of the PDF. If you downloaded the form before January 2025, throw it out and pull the current version. Submitting on a superseded version triggers an automatic rejection under 4 CCR §15002, and you lose your queue position.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Distributor License Application Line by Line

The application is divided into 10 sections plus attachments. Work through them in order. The portal will not let you advance past a section with missing required fields, but it will let you submit with logically wrong answers, so the burden of accuracy is on you.

Section 1, Box 1: License Type

This field asks which distributor license you want: Type 11 or Type 13. Select the radio button that matches your business model. Maria Chen, who runs a Sacramento warehouse storing cannabis goods for three manufacturers, selects Type 11 (Distributor). If you plan to store inventory at all, you must pick Type 11; Type 13 is only for transport.

A common nuance is the Self-Distribution Transport-Only sub-checkbox under Type 13. You check it only if you also hold a cultivation or manufacturing license and will move only your own product. The most common mistake on this field is choosing Type 13 to save on fees and then storing customer inventory anyway, which is a violation of 4 CCR §17000 and grounds for immediate license revocation. A widespread misconception is that you can “upgrade” from Type 13 to Type 11 mid-cycle without re-applying; you cannot, you must submit a new application and pay the fee differential.

Section 1, Box 2: Application Type

This field asks whether the application is for a new annual license, a renewal, or a modification. New applicants check New Annual License. David Okafor, opening a brand-new Long Beach transport company, checks New Annual License. Renewals are filed at least 60 days before expiration through a separate portal workflow.

The nuance here is that California stopped issuing provisional licenses in 2026 under the sunset provisions of SB 1326, so the Provisional checkbox is grayed out for new applicants and is only relevant if you are converting an existing provisional to annual. The most common mistake is checking Modification when you mean New; modification only applies to existing licensees changing premises, ownership, or scope. The misconception that renewals are automatic causes hundreds of lapses every year — your license expires on its anniversary date whether you remember or not.

Section 2: Applicant Business Information

This section asks for the legal name of the applicant entity, any DBA (fictitious business name), the entity type (LLC, corporation, partnership, sole proprietor), the state of formation, the FEIN, and the California Secretary of State entity number. Enter the legal name exactly as it appears on your Articles, including punctuation and capitalization. Green Valley Logistics, LLC enters its name as “GREEN VALLEY LOGISTICS, LLC” with the comma intact.

The nuance is the DBA field — if you operate under a fictitious business name, you must have a current Fictitious Business Name Statement filed with the county clerk in the county of your principal place of business. The most common mistake is using a “doing business as” name in the legal name field, which causes the DCC to reject the application because the entity does not match Secretary of State records, and a single character mismatch (an extra comma, “Inc” vs. “Inc.”) is enough to trigger a deficiency. The misconception that you can apply under a parent company and operate under a subsidiary is wrong; the licensee on file must be the entity actually performing the licensed activity.

Section 3: Premises Address and Contact

This field asks for the physical street address of the licensed premises, the mailing address (if different), the primary phone, and the primary email. The premises address must be a fixed location with a specific suite or unit number — P.O. Boxes are not allowed for the premises field. Aisha Patel enters 1450 Industrial Way, Suite C, Oakland, CA 94607 as her premises address.

A nuance to flag: if your premises is in an unincorporated area, you must use the county jurisdiction, not the nearest city. The most common mistake is listing a corporate headquarters address instead of the actual warehouse where activity occurs, which voids local authorization because the city’s permit covers a different parcel. A persistent misconception is that you can list “address pending build-out” — you cannot; the DCC requires a real, occupiable address at time of filing.

Section 4: Owner Information

This section asks for full disclosure of every “Owner” as defined in 4 CCR §15003, which includes anyone with 20% or more aggregate ownership, every CEO and board member of a corporate applicant, every managing member of an LLC, every general partner, and any individual who directs or controls the licensee. For each Owner, enter full legal name, current home address, date of birth, Social Security Number, government ID type and number, and email. Marcus Johnson, who owns 35% of the applicant LLC and serves as managing member, enters all of his personal data and uploads his Live Scan results.

The nuance is the “directs or controls” prong, which can pull in consultants, lenders with control rights, and even spouses with community property interests. The most common mistake is listing only equity owners and missing officers, which results in a deficiency that can take 30+ days to cure because each newly-disclosed owner needs a fresh Live Scan. The misconception that minority equity holders below 20% never have to be disclosed is wrong; if any single individual also serves as an officer, director, or managing member, they are an Owner regardless of equity percentage.

Section 5: Financial Interest Holders

This field asks you to disclose every Financial Interest Holder (FIH), defined under 4 CCR §15004 as any person or entity with an investment interest, profit share, or loan agreement tied to the licensee that is not already disclosed as an Owner. Enter each FIH’s name, address, type of interest, and dollar amount or percentage. Sunrise Capital Partners, LP, which loaned the applicant $250,000 at 8% interest, is listed as an FIH with the loan amount disclosed.

A nuance most filers miss: landlords who take a percentage of revenue (rather than fixed rent) are FIHs and must be disclosed. The most common mistake is omitting friends-and-family lenders because the loan was informal — every lender, even your aunt, is an FIH if the loan is tied to the cannabis business. The misconception that disclosing FIHs forces them to undergo Live Scan is wrong; FIHs are not fingerprinted, but they must be listed, and failure to list one is a material misrepresentation under Bus. & Prof. Code §26031.

Section 6: Premises Diagram

This section asks you to upload a scaled diagram showing the boundaries of the licensed premises, all entrances and exits, the location of cannabis activity, limited-access areas, storage areas, the quarantine area for goods awaiting testing, and the location of all surveillance cameras. The diagram must be drawn to scale (1/4” = 1’ is standard) and labeled. Aisha’s diagram shows her 4,200 square foot Oakland warehouse with a 600 square foot vault, a 200 square foot quarantine room, and 16 camera positions.

The nuance is that “limited-access areas” must be physically separated from public or employee-only zones by walls or locked doors, not just signage. The most common mistake is submitting a Google Maps screenshot or an unlabeled architectural floor plan — both are auto-rejected because they don’t show the cannabis-specific zones, and re-submitting can add 45 days to review. A widespread misconception is that the diagram must be prepared by a licensed architect; it does not, but every line and label must be clear, and many applicants find it cheaper to hire a CAD draftsperson than to redo it three times.

Section 7: Operating Procedures

This field requires written SOPs covering transportation, inventory control, security, quality control, and non-laboratory quality assurance. Upload each as a separate PDF. David’s transport SOP describes his GPS-tracked route protocols, two-person crew rule for shipments over $5,000, and tamper-evident seals on every manifest.

The nuance is the Quality Assurance SOP, which is unique to distributors because Type 11 holders are responsible for the final QA review of testing results before goods move to retail. The most common mistake is copy-pasting generic SOPs from a template service without customizing them to your premises and staff, which the DCC catches and treats as a substantive deficiency. The misconception that SOPs are “boilerplate” is dangerously wrong; the DCC reads them, and inconsistencies between the SOPs and the premises diagram (e.g., SOP references a vault that isn’t on the diagram) are routine grounds for rejection.

Section 8: Surety Bond

This section requires you to upload an executed $5,000 surety bond on the DCC-prescribed form, naming the State of California as obligee. The bond must be from a surety admitted in California per the California Department of Insurance list. Green Valley Logistics, LLC pays a $250 annual premium to Old Republic Surety for a $5,000 bond and uploads the executed original.

The nuance is that the bond must remain active for the full license term and renew annually; lapse equals automatic suspension. The most common mistake is uploading an application for a bond rather than an executed, signed, and sealed bond — sureties issue conditional commitments first, and applicants confuse them with the real thing. The misconception that the $5,000 figure is the premium (rather than the penal sum) leads applicants to overpay; the premium is typically $100–$500 per year depending on credit.

Section 9: Labor Peace Agreement

This field asks whether the applicant has 10 or more employees and, if so, requires upload of a signed Labor Peace Agreement with a bona fide labor organization, per Bus. & Prof. Code §26051.5(a)(5). If the applicant has fewer than 10 employees, attest in writing and commit to entering an LPA within 60 days of hitting 10. Marcus, with 14 employees, uploads a signed LPA with UFCW Local 5.

The nuance is the definition of “employee” — it includes part-time workers and excludes only true 1099 contractors who pass the ABC test. The most common mistake is signing an LPA with a non-bona-fide organization; the DCC and the courts have invalidated several “company-friendly” LPAs, leaving the licensee without compliance. The misconception that the LPA requirement is optional or unenforceable is wrong; failure to maintain a valid LPA is grounds for license revocation under Bus. & Prof. Code §26051.5(b).

Section 10: Attestations and Signature

This final section requires the designated responsible party — typically an Owner — to attest under penalty of perjury that all information is true, that the applicant complies with CEQA, that local authorization is in place, and that the applicant will follow MAUCRSA and DCC regulations. Sign electronically using the portal’s e-signature workflow. Maria Chen, as managing member, types her full name, checks all 14 attestation boxes, and clicks Submit.

The nuance is that the signer must be an Owner of record, not an attorney or consultant signing “on behalf of” the applicant. The most common mistake is having the wrong person sign, which voids the attestation and forces re-execution under Bus. & Prof. Code §26051.5(a)(1). The misconception that “attestation” is a soft promise is dangerous; signing falsely is perjury under California Penal Code §118, a felony carrying up to four years in state prison.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Below are three full walkthroughs showing what each scenario filer enters across the major sections of the application.

Scenario 1: Maria Chen, Sacramento Type 11 Distributor

Form Section	What Maria Enters
License Type	Type 11 (Distributor)
Application Type	New Annual License
Legal Entity Name	Capital Cannabis Logistics, LLC
Premises Address	3200 Power Inn Road, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95826
Owner Disclosure	Maria Chen, 100% Managing Member, Live Scan attached
Financial Interest Holders	None disclosed; self-funded with personal savings
Premises Diagram	4,800 sq ft warehouse, 800 sq ft vault, 14 cameras
Surety Bond	$5,000 bond from Old Republic Surety, premium $225
Labor Peace Agreement	Not required, 6 employees, attestation signed
Application Fee	$1,000 paid via ACH

Scenario 2: David Okafor, Long Beach Type 13 Transport-Only

Form Section	What David Enters
License Type	Type 13 (Distributor Transport-Only)
Application Type	New Annual License
Legal Entity Name	Pacific Route Transport, Inc.
Premises Address	4501 Cherry Avenue, Unit 7, Long Beach, CA 90807
Owner Disclosure	David Okafor, CEO, 60%; Linda Okafor, CFO, 40%
Financial Interest Holders	Coastline Lending LLC, $150,000 loan at 9%
Premises Diagram	1,200 sq ft dispatch and parking, no storage area
Surety Bond	$5,000 bond from Hartford, premium $175
Labor Peace Agreement	Required, 11 employees, UFCW Local 324 LPA uploaded
Application Fee	$1,000 paid via credit card

Scenario 3: Aisha Patel, Oakland Vertically Integrated Distributor

Form Section	What Aisha Enters
License Type	Type 11 (Distributor)
Application Type	New Annual License
Legal Entity Name	Bay Area Botanicals Distribution, LLC
Premises Address	1450 Industrial Way, Suite C, Oakland, CA 94607
Owner Disclosure	Aisha Patel 51%, Sunrise Holdings LLC 49% (with sub-disclosure of Sunrise’s owners)
Financial Interest Holders	Equity Trust IRA, $400,000 promissory note
Premises Diagram	4,200 sq ft, 600 sq ft vault, 200 sq ft quarantine, 16 cameras
Surety Bond	$5,000 bond from Old Republic, premium $300
Labor Peace Agreement	Required, 18 employees, Teamsters Local 70 LPA uploaded
Application Fee	$1,000 paid via ACH

How to File the Completed Form

The DCC accepts applications through one primary channel and two narrow alternates. Pick the channel that matches your situation and keep proof of submission for your records.

Online via the DCC Licensing Portal. The default and strongly preferred channel is the Accela Citizen Access portal. Log in, complete every section, upload all attachments as PDFs (50 MB max per file), pay the $1,000 application fee via ACH or credit card, and click Submit. Processing time runs 60 to 180 days from a complete file, and you will receive an automated confirmation email with your application number (formatted C11-0001234-LIC or C13-0001234-LIC) within 24 hours. Save the confirmation email and the PDF receipt as your proof of filing.

By mail (accommodation only). Applicants who require disability accommodation may request a paper application by emailing licensing@cannabis.ca.gov. Mail completed packets with a check or money order for $1,000 made payable to the Department of Cannabis Control to Department of Cannabis Control, Attn: Licensing Division, 2920 Kilgore Road, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. Use certified mail with return receipt for proof of filing, and expect an extra 30 days of processing.

In person. The Rancho Cordova office accepts in-person delivery of accommodation applications by appointment only, scheduled through the DCC contact page. Bring your full packet, a check, and photo ID, and request a stamped copy of the cover sheet as proof of filing.

After the application fee, the annual license fee is invoiced separately once your application clears initial review. Fees scale by projected gross revenue under the DCC fee schedule, ranging from $1,500 (under $1.5M projected revenue) to $240,384 (over $20M for combined activities). Pay via the same portal once invoiced; the license does not issue until the annual fee is paid.

What Happens After You File

Within 24 hours, the portal sends an auto-confirmation with your application number. Within 30 days, a DCC Licensing Analyst is assigned, and you can see their name in the portal under My Records. The analyst reviews for completeness first; if anything is missing or unclear, you receive a Notice of Incomplete Application by email and you have 70 calendar days to cure under 4 CCR §15002(c), or the application is withdrawn and the $1,000 fee is forfeited.

Once complete, the application moves to substantive review, where the analyst checks Live Scan results from the Department of Justice, CDTFA seller’s permit status, Secretary of State entity status, and local authorization. CEQA review is conducted in parallel and can be the longest single stage, sometimes 60 to 90 days on its own. After substantive review, you are invoiced for the annual fee, and the license issues within 5 business days of payment.

Once issued, your license appears in the DCC license search tool, valid for 12 months from the issue date, and you must begin operations within the conditions stated. Renewal opens 60 days before expiration, and you should calendar it the day your license issues — late renewals require a brand-new application.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Distributor applications fail at well-known choke points. Avoid each of the following.

• Selecting Type 13 to save fees, then storing customer inventory; the DCC tracks Metrc activity and will catch the violation, leading to revocation.
• Listing the corporate HQ instead of the actual operational premises; this voids local authorization and forces a re-file.
• Forgetting to disclose officers or directors who hold less than 20% equity; every officer is an Owner regardless of equity, and missing one triggers a 30-day deficiency.
• Omitting friends-and-family lenders from the FIH section; even informal loans must be disclosed, and material omissions are perjury.
• Submitting a Google Maps screenshot as the premises diagram; auto-rejected, costs 45 days.
• Uploading SOP templates without customizing them to your premises; the DCC reads them and rejects mismatches.
• Submitting a bond application instead of an executed bond; the analyst flags the missing surety signature and seal.
• Signing an LPA with a non-bona-fide labor organization; courts and the DCC have invalidated several, leaving licensees non-compliant.
• Having a non-Owner sign the attestation page; the entire application is voided and must be re-executed.
• Using a DBA in the legal name field; the entity won’t match Secretary of State records.
• Letting the bond lapse mid-license-term; automatic suspension follows.
• Missing the 70-day deficiency cure window; the application is withdrawn and the fee forfeited.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do download and read the DCC Distributor License Fact Sheet before you open the portal, because its checklist mirrors the analyst’s review checklist exactly.

Do scan all attachments at 300 DPI minimum; low-resolution PDFs are rejected as illegible.

Do keep your CDTFA seller’s permit, Secretary of State filings, and local permit current throughout the review window — any one going stale triggers a deficiency.

Do use a dedicated business email for the portal account, because every notice goes there and personal email loss is a real failure mode.

Do keep the bond renewal date in your calendar, because the surety will not always remind you.

Do retain a cannabis-experienced attorney for owner structure questions, because corrected ownership filings can take months.

Don’t assume your local cannabis permit equals state authorization; they are independent, and you need both.

Don’t submit the same Live Scan twice; each Live Scan is tied to a specific Originating Agency Identifier (ORI), and using the wrong ORI invalidates the result.

Don’t alter the DCC bond form template; sureties sometimes attach their own riders, but the DCC body language must remain intact.

Don’t name a consultant as a signer; only Owners can attest.

Don’t wait for the application fee invoice; the $1,000 is due at submission, not after review.

Don’t ignore deficiency emails; the 70-day clock starts the day the email is sent, not the day you read it.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Pros of filing pro se:

• Saves $5,000 to $25,000 in legal and consulting fees, which matters for capital-constrained startups.
• Forces you to learn MAUCRSA and Title 4 regulations cold, which pays dividends in compliance for years.
• Keeps full control over your timeline and document quality.
• Avoids consultant scope-creep that can balloon engagement fees mid-application.
• Builds a direct working relationship with your DCC analyst, who can be a long-term resource.

Cons of filing pro se:

• Premises diagram errors and Owner/FIH disclosure mistakes are extremely common for first-timers, costing 30–90 days each.
• CEQA documentation is technical and easily mis-handled, and a botched CEQA filing can cost six figures in delay.
• Live Scan ORI selection is non-obvious, and using the wrong one invalidates results.
• Surety bond form execution is technical, and rejected bonds add weeks.
• Owner-structure mistakes (missing officers, mis-classified FIHs) trigger the costliest deficiencies and are the #1 reason applications fail.

Filing By Mail vs. Online

Filing Method	What to Expect
Online via Accela Portal	Default channel, instant confirmation, 60–180 day review, 50 MB attachment limit, ACH or credit card payment
By Mail (Accommodation)	By request only, certified mail recommended, 90–210 day review, check or money order, paper attachments accepted

FAQs

Do I need a state distributor license if I already have a local cannabis permit?

Yes. Local permits and state licenses are independent. You need both to operate legally; missing either one is a misdemeanor under Bus. & Prof. Code §26038.

Can I apply for a distributor license without a permanent premises?

No. The DCC requires a fixed, occupiable physical address with proof of right to occupy. “Pending build-out” is not accepted, and a P.O. Box is never valid for the premises field.

Do I write my LLC’s legal name or DBA in the Applicant Business Name field?

No to DBA. Enter the legal entity name exactly as it appears on your Secretary of State filing, including punctuation; the DBA goes in a separate field.

Is a Live Scan required for Financial Interest Holders?

No. FIHs must be disclosed but are not fingerprinted. Only Owners (20%+ equity, officers, directors, managing members, or anyone who directs/controls) get Live Scanned.

Do I check Type 11 or Type 13 if I only transport my own product?

No to Type 11. Check Type 13 and tick the Self-Distribution Transport-Only sub-box; you also need a cultivation or manufacturing license to qualify.

Is the $5,000 figure on the surety bond the premium I pay?

No. The $5,000 is the penal sum (the bond’s coverage amount); the premium is typically $100–$500 per year depending on your credit and surety.

Do I need a Labor Peace Agreement if I have only 8 employees?

No. LPA is required at 10+ employees. Below that, attest in writing that you’ll execute one within 60 days of crossing the 10-employee threshold.

Can my attorney sign Section 10 on my behalf?

No. Only an Owner of record can sign the attestation, and signing as a non-Owner voids the entire application under Bus. & Prof. Code §26051.5(a)(1).

Do I list my landlord as a Financial Interest Holder?

Yes, if the landlord receives a percentage of revenue or profit. No, if the landlord receives only fixed rent under 4 CCR §15004.

Is the application fee refundable if I withdraw?

No. The $1,000 application fee is non-refundable under 4 CCR §15014, even if you withdraw before substantive review begins.

Can I still apply for a provisional license?

No. The provisional license program sunsetted in 2026 under SB 1326. All new applicants must apply for an annual license directly.

Do I need CEQA documentation if my city already approved my permit?

Yes. Even with local approval, you must upload the local lead agency’s CEQA finding (Notice of Determination, Notice of Exemption, or equivalent) to the state application; the DCC does not assume compliance.

Is the premises diagram required to be drawn by an architect?

No. Any clearly labeled, scaled diagram is acceptable. A CAD draftsperson or experienced consultant can prepare it for a fraction of architect fees.

Can I operate while my application is pending?

No. California stopped issuing provisional and temporary licenses, and operating without an issued license is a misdemeanor and a civil violation under Bus. & Prof. Code §26038.