Arizona Tribe Revamps Reservation Alcohol Rules for Revenue
Published Date: 2/18/2026
Notice
Summary
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community updated their rules about selling, drinking, and owning alcohol on their reservation. Starting February 18, 2026, these new rules replace the old ones from 2016, giving the community more control and helping raise money to support local services. This change affects everyone living in or visiting the reservation who deals with alcohol.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 1 mixed.
License Fees, Renewal Terms, Penalties
If you want to sell alcohol on the reservation, licenses are annual and have upfront fees (examples: original casino license $2,500, original restaurant $2,000, original retail $2,000). Renewals carry lower fees (example: retail renewal $1,000), a $500 late renewal penalty applies, and a license not renewed within 60 days is deemed terminated.
Applicant Eligibility and Background Checks
To get a license you must be a U.S. citizen and submit fingerprints for state and federal criminal history checks; people convicted of a felony within five years before application are not eligible. The office may require full financial disclosure from controlling persons and will check criminal history pursuant to Arizona law and federal procedures.
Retail Liquor Size and Drive‑Thru Limits
Off-sale retailers may sell packaged liquor only if the liquor store portion is at least 10,000 square feet or if the sale is part of a grocery, convenience, drug store, or big-box retailer, and retail drive-thru windows for alcohol sales are prohibited. Internet 'drive up and pick up' services are not considered a prohibited drive-thru.
Special and Private Event Alcohol Rules
Businesses and organizations must follow special rules to serve alcohol at events: special event license applications must be made at least 45 days before the event, a special event license may run no more than ten consecutive days per license, unlicensed premises may hold up to 12 special events per year, and commercial lessees may host one private event per calendar year if they notify the office at least 30 days ahead. Hosts may need a special use permit and must pay any additional police, fire, or staffing costs required.
Enforcement, Records, Audits, and Revocation Rules
The office may inspect licensed premises, require audits (using GAAP), demand invoices and records retained for at least two years, and may assess surcharges on renewals to cover auditor and enforcement costs. Licenses can be suspended or revoked for many causes including repeated violence, felony convictions, failure to keep records, or being delinquent more than 90 days in paying Community taxes.
New Reservation Alcohol Rules Effective
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community adopted a new Alcoholic Beverage Control Ordinance that replaces the 2016 ordinance and becomes effective February 18, 2026. This change gives the Community more control over alcohol sale, possession, and distribution and is intended to raise revenue to support Community government services.
Where You May Possess or Drink Alcohol
You may possess and drink alcoholic beverages on the reservation only in private residences and licensed premises; alcohol may be transported to and from those places in unbroken containers. Certain uses such as wine for religious practices or for cooking are explicitly allowed.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17053, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Sale of Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance Amendment
This notice publishes the amended Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Sale of Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance, which supersedes the previous ordinance published on May 14, 2002.
2026-17057, Caddo Nation Liquor Control Code
This notice publishes the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma Liquor Control. The liquor control code is to regulate and control the possession, sale, manufacture and distribution of alcohol in conformity with the laws of the State of Oklahoma for the purpose of generating new Tribal revenues. Enactment of the code will help provide a source of revenue to strengthen Tribal government, provide for the economic viability of Tribal enterprises and improve delivery of Tribal government services.
2026-15360, Rate Adjustments for Indian Irrigation Projects
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) owns or has an interest in irrigation projects located on or associated with various Indian reservations throughout the United States. We are required to establish irrigation assessment rates to recover the costs to administer, operate, maintain, and rehabilitate these projects. We are notifying you that we have adjusted the irrigation assessment rates at several of our irrigation projects and facilities to reflect current costs of administration, operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation.
2026-14130, Indian Gaming; Approval by Operation of Law of the Wyandotte Nation and State of Kansas Gaming Compact
The Wyandotte Nation and the State of Kansas now have an official gaming agreement that lets the tribe run class III gaming, including sports betting, starting July 14, 2026. Since the government didn’t act within 45 days, the deal automatically got approved by law. This means more gaming options and potential revenue for the tribe and the state, with sports bets placed anywhere in Kansas counting as if made on tribal land.
2026-14057, FY 2026 Job Placement and Training-Native American Technology and Manufacturing Grant Pilot Program (IGNITE: Indigenous Growth in New & Innovative Trade Employment); Solicitation of Proposals
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is launching the IGNITE grant pilot program in FY 2026 to help Native American communities train for cool tech and manufacturing jobs like AI, drones, and construction. Tribal groups can apply for funding to build new workforce programs that prepare people for these future-ready careers. Applications open soon and will be accepted for about 30 days, so get ready to ignite some serious job growth!
2026-13718, Agency Information Collection Activities; Tribal Revenue Allocation Plans
The Bureau of Indian Affairs wants to keep collecting info about how tribes share their money, making sure the process stays clear and easy. This affects tribal governments who submit these plans, and the agency is asking for your thoughts by September 8, 2026. No big changes or costs are planned, just a smooth renewal to keep things running right.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-03104, Paper File Folders From Cambodia; Determination
The U.S. found that paper file folders from Cambodia are hurting American folder makers because Cambodia’s government is giving unfair help to its exporters. As a result, the U.S. will take action to protect local businesses from these subsidized imports. This means changes in trade rules soon, which could affect prices and sales for companies involved.
Next: 2026-03106, Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Assessment; Initiation of Public Scoping Under the National Environmental Policy Act; Initiation of Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; and Notice of Intent To Develop a Section 106 Programmatic Agreement With the Alaska State Historic Preservation Officer
The EPA is starting a big review to check how cleaning up contaminated lands in Alaska might affect the environment and Native communities. This effort will involve Alaska Native groups and focus on protecting historic sites, wildlife, and wetlands. The process kicks off now and will guide how funds are used to fix these lands while respecting culture and nature.