Information for New Beer / Liquor Licensees

Provide the City Clerk's Office with the following:

            Applicant name and address
            Name and address of business
            Detail sketch of premise 
            Copy of current lease or deed
            Returned Division of Criminal Investigation background investigation report       
            Notarized statement

Contact the Health & Inspection Office to schedule an appointment for an inspection of your business establishment and obtain your food service establishment license.  Their office is located in Room 203 of City Hall, and their office hours are 7:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Monday - Friday, and their phone number is 683-0610.

Contact Deputy Fire Chief Mike Jones Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at 683-0666 to schedule a fire code inspection for your establishment.

Complete license application on line at www:IowaABD.com by following the instructions for electronic licensing.  If you do not have a computer, the Ottumwa Public Library has Internet available, (Their hours are Monday - Thursday, 9:30 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday & Saturday, 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 P.M.).  You may also call Alcoholic Beverages in Ankeny at 866-469-2223, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday - Friday for computer assistance.

Contact your insurance agent to have your dram shop liability, if applicable, forwarded and verified by Alcoholic Beverages.

Your application, dram shop liability and license fee must be properly filed with Alcoholic Beverages before your application is referred to the local authority (City of Ottumwa) for processing.  The City of Ottumwa will need Health Dept., Fire Dept., Police Dept., Building and Zoning approvals prior to being placed on the Council's agenda for consideration.  The Ottumwa City Council meet on the first and third Tuesdays for alcoholic beverage licenses to be considered for approval.  The City Clerk's Office must have the information by noon via Internet verification Thursday prior to the forthcoming Tuesday.

Obtain Iowa Sales Tax Permit:  800-367-3388 or 515-242-6091

Obtain Federal Tax Stamp from Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms:  513-684-2979.

License information packets containing the following are available at the City Clerk's Office:

Instructions for Electronic Licensing
DCI background check form
Sketch of premise requirements
Local ordinance relative to minors on premise
Minor Exemption Request, if applicable
Frequently Asked Questions