Q: Do all on-premise licensed establishments have to comply with the new recycling legislation that takes effect January 1, 2008?

A:  Yes.  All on-premise licensed establishments must initiate and maintain a recycling program that is in compliance with the legislation effective January 1, 2008. 

Q:  How do I establish my recycling program?

A:  Contact Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling at 704-336-4304 or click here for their website.

Q:  How old must a person be to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol?

A. 21 years old

Q. How old must a person be to work in an establishment that sells alcohol?

A. (a) Age Requirements: Brownbagging, Mixed Beverages and Special Occasion Permits shall have an employee who is at least 21 years of age in charge of the licensed premises at all times.

(b) Age Requirements: Malt Beverage, Unfortified Wine, or Fortified Wine Permits shall have an employee who is at least 18 years old in charge of the licensed premises at all times.

(c) Bartenders: Brownbagging, Mixed Beverages, and Special Occasion Permits. No person under the age of 21 may be employed by any permittee to mix drinks containing distilled spirits.

(d) Waiters and Waitresses: Age of persons employed in the preparation serving, sale or delivery of alcoholic beverages at any establishment holding permits for the on-premise sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages are governed by the provisions of The Wage and Hour Act, Article 2A of Chapter 95 of the N.C. General Statutes.

(e) Off-Premise Permits: This rule does not prohibit the employment of minors at an establishment holding only off-premise permits for the retail sale of malt beverages or wine.

Q. Who may purchase alcohol?

A. (a) Persons 21 years of age.

(b) It shall be unlawful for a permittee to sell or give alcoholic beverages to any person who is intoxicated.

(c) Any person authorized to sell alcoholic beverages may refuse to sell to anyone.

Q. Who can sell alcohol?

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell alcoholic beverages, or possess any alcoholic beverages for sale, without first obtaining the applicable ABC permit and revenue license.

Q. Can I make my own beer or wine?

A. An individual may make, possess, and transport native wines and malt beverages for his own use and the use of his family and guest.

Q. How much alcohol can I transport?

A. (a) 80 liters of malt beverage, any amount of malt beverages in kegs.

(b) 50 liters of unfortified wine

(c) 8 liters of fortified wine or distilled spirits or any combination of the two.

(d) Greater amounts of unfortified, fortified wines, and distilled spirits may be transported with a transportation permit that can be obtained at a local ABC store.

Q. How do I obtain an ABC Permit?

A. Contact the North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Control Commission at 919-779-0700 or receive more information and an application at www.ncabc.com

Q. How do I report a permitted establishment violating the ABC Laws or Regulations?

A. If the business is in Mecklenburg County, you may contact the Mecklenburg County ABC Law Enforcement Division at 704-731-5830 or e-mail.