The Brief
- The City of Atlanta has eliminated an old policy requiring multiple alcohol license fees per business venue, potentially saving owners thousands.
- Businesses that have already paid the extra fees this renewal season, starting Oct. 1, are eligible for refunds.
- Discussions on clarifying the city’s noise ordinance are ongoing, with the involvement of the mayor’s nightlife committee.
- The city’s public safety committee will continue the dialogue on patio seating and noise regulations at their next meeting.
ATLANTA – A new ordinance could save some Atlanta restaurant and bar owners thousands of dollars a year.
City leaders passed legislation Monday eliminating a prohibition-era policy that allowed double billing of alcohol license fees for businesses with multiple bars.
“This goes back to 1920s, 1930s, said Councilman Michael Julian Bond. “It’s probably trying to discourage people from having more than one physical bar in a location and, for the most, that would be a discouragement because you know $5,000 … that’s a considerable amount of money. This could be a savings of thousands of dollars.”…