In the United States state of Kentucky, amoist countyis acountythe regulations in force of which are between those of a "dry county"(in which the sale ofalcoholic beveragesisprohibited) and a "wet county"(in which alcohol is sold). The term is typically used for any county that allows alcohol to be sold in certain situations but has limitations on alcohol sales that a normal" wet "county would not have. Some historically" dry "counties are switching to this system to avoid losing money to businesses in other counties when they do not wish to become completely" wet ". The term" moist "in itself does not have any specific meaning except that the county is neither completely" wet "nor completely" dry ". A" dry "county that contains one or more" wet "citiesis typically called "moist".[citation needed]
The term can be used in two different senses:
- Two differentstatutesallow any dry territory, which can be a dry county or a city located in a dry county, to vote to authorize limited sales of alcoholic beverages by the drink in restaurants. Both statutes require such a restaurant to make at least 70% of its money from food, rather than alcohol, sales. One statute requires that the restaurant seat at least 100 patrons. The other, signed into law in June 2007, requires only 50 seats but prohibits licensed establishments from having a dedicated bar and requires the drinks to be sold in association with a meal. Once a jurisdiction votes for such sales, qualifying restaurants can apply for a permit, which are distributed on a somewhat-limited basis. For example, theLouisvillesuburban jurisdiction ofOldham Countyvoted to allow such sales in the early 2000s (its county seat ofLa Grangelater approved full package sales in 2012).[1]However, Kentucky's Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control does not use the term "moist county" to describe a county in which such sales are allowed, but instead calls it a "limited" county.[2]
- Officially, a "moist county" is an otherwise-dry county in which a city in the county's jurisdiction has voted to allow full retail sales of alcoholic beverages. The following Kentucky counties[1][2]fall into that category:
Note that once a city votes itself fully wet, Kentucky state law mandates a 60-day period, starting on the date that the election results are certified, before vendors can apply for licenses to sell distilled spirits and wine. At the end of that period, the state will then advertise in that city's newspaper of record to announce the number of licenses that will be granted. However, beer licenses are not subject to quotas, and can be applied for once the city enacts a governing ordinance.[12]
References
edit- ^abc"La Grange voters approve expanded alcohol sales".WDRB.Associated Press. July 25, 2012.RetrievedJuly 26,2012.
- ^ab"Wet-Dry-Moist Territories August 21, 2014"(PDF).Kentucky Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on December 24, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 2,2014.
- ^Krzton-Presson, Rose (August 7, 2012)."Princeton & Sturgis Vote to Allow Alcohol Sales".Murray, KY:WKMS-FM.RetrievedAugust 24,2012.
- ^Teague, Hawkins (July 24, 2012)."City to begin its alcohol governance discussion".Murray Ledger & Times.RetrievedJuly 26,2012.
- ^This county is also a "limited" county which has voted to allow qualifying restaurants outside of the city of Eminence to sell alcoholic beverages by the drink. Minimum seating capacity is 50.
- ^This county is also a "limited" county which, before La Grange voted fully wet, voted to allow qualifying restaurants throughout the county to sell alcoholic beverages by the drink. Minimum seating capacity is 100.
- ^Estep, Bill (June 26, 2012)."Somerset, long dry, votes in favor of alcohol sales".Le xing ton Herald-Leader.RetrievedAugust 24,2012.
- ^"Georgetown Now A 'Wet' City".Le xing ton, KY:WTVQ-DT.July 31, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon February 9, 2013.RetrievedAugust 24,2012.
- ^This county is also a "limited" county which has voted to allow qualifying restaurants outside of the city of Shelbyville to sell alcoholic beverages by the drink. Minimum seating capacity is 100.
- ^"Getting wetter".The Independent.Ashland, KY. June 21, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on December 19, 2022.RetrievedAugust 24,2012.
- ^Hughes, Matt (November 7, 2018)."Providence, Sebree go wet".The Journal-Enterprise.Archived fromthe originalon December 19, 2022.RetrievedDecember 1,2020.
- ^Teague, Hawkins (July 20, 2012)."Wet-dry results certified Thursday".Murray Ledger & Times.Archivedfrom the original on August 27, 2022.RetrievedJuly 26,2012.