Alcoholic beverage licensing is governed by South Dakota Codified law (Title 35) and city ordinance (Title 2).

Each license must be renewed annually.

Any transfer in ownership or location must be approved by City Council for a transfer fee of $150.
In addition, any application for a new license or transfers of a license must pay a publication fee of $40. View the information below for the types of licenses offered by the City of Watertown.

Package (Off-Sale) Liquor

• Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. 
• Renewal Fee of License: $500
• City ordinance limits the number of this type of license to 10 and no new licenses can be purchased at this time.

Retail (On-Sale) Liquor 

• Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m.
• Renewal Fee of License: $1,500
• This license is set by population and no additional licenses can be purchased at this time.

 Retail (On-Off Sale) Malt Beverage & SD Farm Wine

• Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. 
• Renewal Fee of License: $300
• Retail (On-Off Sale) Malt Beverage & SD Farm Wine Licenses with Video Lottery must be purchased through an existing license holder as these were limited starting in April of 1994. However, there is no limit to the number of this license type without video lottery attached and can be purchased at this time. 

Retail (On-Sale) Wine & Cider

• Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. 
• Renewal Fee of License: $500

Video Lottery

• Retail liquor and any eligible retail malt beverage license are allowed 10 machines per license.
• $50 per machine/per year