Alcohol Licensing and Zoning in Hillsborough County
Florida issues alcoholic beverage licenses, but unincorporated Hillsborough can also require wet zoning or related local review depending on the location and license type.
Check what applies to your address
Get a free answer for your location and project, rather than relying only on this general guide.
Need everything organized? For eligible projects, the optional $19 Project Kit brings your filing steps, official documents, fees and progress checklist together. Government fees are separate.
Flagged source reviewed 2026-10-16. How we check sources
Selling alcoholic beverages at a restaurant, bar, or other business in unincorporated Hillsborough County requires the applicable alcoholic-beverage zoning approval in addition to state licensing. Hillsborough calls these Special Use Alcoholic Beverage approvals or 'wet zonings.' If the location satisfies the Land Development Code's normal distance and other requirements, the administrative no-waiver path may apply. If the location meets all normal Land Development Code requirements except the proximity requirements, it can apply for a waiver; a hearing with the Land Use Hearing Officer is required after the application is submitted. StartFL should not treat a state alcohol license as proof that the local location is wet-zoned.