The Board of Licenses office is responsible for processing a broad range of license applications for the City of Providence as well as regulating licenses. Over 8,000 licenses are issued per year in over 30 different categories, including hackney food dispensing, peddlers motor vehicle repair, nightlife operations and over 400 liquor licenses.
All licenses are renewed annually with the renewal licenses staggered by the type of license.
The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 4:15 pm. (July and August from 8:30 am – 3:45 pm).
Three clerks manage the office daily, accepting applications, collecting fees, typing correspondences, reports, responding to inquires and a host of other duties.
There is a five member board appointed by the Mayor that hears applications and violations and meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 1:00 pm in Room 112.
The office is also assigned two police officers that conduct inspections of liquor licensed establishments and oversees two civilian inspectors who provide day-to-day enforcement of all other licenses regulations. The civilian inspectors work days/evenings on an alternating basis.
