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Brookings County adopts Ordinance 26-04 setting rules for alcoholic beverage licenses
Summary
Brookings County commissioners unanimously adopted Ordinance #26-04 on July 21, 2026, establishing application, renewal, special-event, and consumption rules for on-sale and off-sale liquor licenses and aligning county processes with SDCL provisions; the ordinance takes effect August 20, 2026.
Brookings County commissioners on July 21 adopted Ordinance #26-04, which defines the county’s requirements, fees and procedures for issuing alcoholic beverage licenses outside municipal limits.
The ordinance sets annual notice and availability procedures, requires applicants to show proof of suitable premises or obtain conditional approval, and ties approvals to compliance with county zoning. It also specifies renewal criteria — including conditions under which the board may reissue a license without a hearing — and establishes time-of-sale restrictions and penalties for violations. The text cites South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) chapters and sections governing licensure and implements special-event licensing and rules for consumption on county property. The ordinance replaces prior county rules except for Resolution #15-04 and is scheduled for publication July 31, 2026; it becomes effective August 20, 2026.
Commission Department Director Stacy Steffensen provided background information before the vote. The motion to adopt was made by Commissioner Doug Post, seconded by Commissioner Larry Jensen, and passed on a roll-call vote with all five commissioners voting “aye.”
Why it matters: the ordinance clarifies how the county will handle new or transferred on-sale and off-sale licenses, sets conditional approval time limits, and codifies procedures for special-event permits — matters that affect businesses and organizations seeking to serve alcohol in unincorporated areas.
