Virginia Law

A. Pursuant to § 4.1-206.3 D 2 b of the Code of Virginia, the board may grant banquet facility licenses to volunteer fire departments and volunteer rescue squads:

1. Providing volunteer fire or rescue squad services;

2. Having as its premises a fire or rescue squad station regularly occupied by such fire department or rescue squad; and

3. Being duly recognized by the governing body of the city, county or town in which it is located.

B. The license authorizes the following privileges:

The consumption of legally acquired alcoholic beverages on the premises of the licensee or on premises other than such fire or rescue squad station which are occupied and under the control of the licensee while the privilege of its license is being exercised, by any person, association, corporation or other entity, including the fire department or rescue squad, and bona fide members and guests thereof, otherwise eligible for a banquet license and entitled to such privilege for a private affair or special event.

C. In addition to other applicable statutes and regulations of the board, the following restrictions and conditions apply to persons holding such banquet facility licenses:

1. Alcoholic beverages cannot be sold or purchased by the licensee;

2. Alcoholic beverages cannot be sold or charged for in any way by the person, association, corporation or other entity permitted to use the premises;

3. The private affair referred to in subsection B shall be a social function which is attended only by persons who are members of the association, corporation or other entity, including the fire department or rescue squad, and their bona fide guests;

4. The volunteer fire department or rescue squad shall notify the board in writing at least two calendar days in advance of any affair or event at which the license will be used away from the fire department or rescue squad station. The notice shall include the date, time, location and address of the event and the identity of the group, and the affair or event. Such records of off-site affairs and events should be maintained at the fire department or rescue squad station for a period of two years;

5. A photocopy of the banquet facility license shall be present at all affairs or events at which the privileges of the license are exercised away from the fire or rescue squad station; and

6. The fire department or rescue squad shall comply with the requirements of the local governing body concerning sanitation, health, construction or equipment and shall obtain all local permits or licenses which may be required to exercise the privilege of its license.