Quota Liquor License (4COP) — purchase or drawing: Miami restaurant guide

Florida DBPR — Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco

What it is

Full liquor license limited to one per 7,500 county residents. You usually buy an existing license on the private market and transfer it to your location, or win the annual state drawing.

When a restaurant needs it

Full liquor for a restaurant that does NOT meet the 4COP-SFS size rules (2,000 sq ft service area and 120 seats), or a bar.

How to apply

Buy an existing Miami-Dade 4COP and file a transfer/change-of-location application in DBPR Online Services, or enter the annual quota drawing and apply within 45 days if selected.

Documents you’ll need

Purchase agreement and transfer application
Fingerprints and related party information
Floor plan sketch, lease
City of Miami zoning approval for the location

Fee

Annual license $1,820 in counties over 100,000 population. New quota licenses from the drawing carry a one-time $10,750 fee. Market purchase price varies.

Processing time

Weeks to months to find and close a purchase, plus state processing (90-day standard).

Renewal

Annually.

Who files

The applicant entity files; a liquor license broker/attorney usually handles the purchase and transfer.

Good to know

Quota licenses are scarce and expensive. A full-liquor restaurant concept should compare this cost against designing to 4COP-SFS minimums.

Official source

DBPR AB&T — FAQs (quota licenses) · DBPR — annual quota license drawing

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.