Chattanooga Beer Board Meeting – August 20, 2026

The Chattanooga Beer Board met on August 20, 2026, to consider beer permit applications, discuss temporary event permitting issues, and review a pending violation. The board also held extensive discussion on beer permit expiration and the city's compliance with state law (TCA).

Consent Calendar

• Approved by Regulatory Officer (no board vote needed):
  • Event BB12 (August 12–15): compliance check passed.
  • Beer 1427 (neighborhood grocery): approved.
  • Beer 1444 (248 Northgate Mall Drive): approved.
  • Temporary event 147 (new application, approved by regulatory and legal).
  • Beer 1442 (Jimada Corporation, Metropolis Cafe at 200 Market Street): approved August 19.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered comment.

Discussion Items

• Chattanooga Audubon Society – Birds, Brews & Barbecue (TE-145): Representative Jim Stewart explained the Audubon Society's first beer permit application. Legal advised that if the caterer (Tennessee Rebel Barbecue) holds a state catering license, no temporary event permit is needed; the caterer must notify the CPD regulatory unit five days before the event. The application is on hold pending verification of the caterer's license. Board members clarified the process and offered to assist directly.
• Creative Discovery Museum (TE-144): Previously discussed due to permitting confusion. The museum hired an outside caterer (Barcart) and therefore did not need a temporary event permit. No violation for the museum; however, the caterer failed to notify regulatory five days before the event (required by city code). The board recommended referring the matter to the city attorney to determine whether to issue a citation against the caterer. No motion was made; the item was effectively dismissed as moot since the museum had no violation.
• Rain Ty Bistro (Beer 1395): Passed from the prior meeting due to a pending minor violation scheduled for hearing that same day. The board voted to postpone action to the next meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
• New Applications (no action taken, pending departmental approvals):
  • Beer 1429 (Nephew's Bar & Grill, 4380 Doris Street): awaiting building and legal approval. Once approved through OpenGov, the applicant can pay and print the permit without returning to the board.
  • Beer 1432 (Jury Hotels, 7301 Shallford Road): awaiting legal approval. Once legal approves, regulatory will approve, and the permit will issue automatically.
• Beer Permit Expiration and Privilege Tax (extended discussion):
  • Officer Simpson reported that city code currently uses “renewal fee” language, but state law (TCA 57-5-104) only authorizes an annual $100 privilege tax. Permits do not expire; failure to pay the privilege tax voids the permit. The city attorney's office is drafting an ordinance amendment to mirror TCA. Until the code is amended, Simpson stated he is not issuing citations for expired permits to avoid legal exposure. Board members (Gene, others) questioned the process for businesses that missed payments; the current interim solution requires a new application and an amnesty letter from the mayor's office. The board discussed the need for clear communication and grace periods.

Key Outcomes

• Vote to postpone Rain Ty Bistro (Beer 1395): Motion carried (Betsy motion, Christie second). All in favor, none opposed.
• Creative Discovery Museum (TE-144): No board action; referred to city attorney for possible caterer citation.
• Chattanooga Audubon Society (TE-145): Pending verification of caterer's license; applicant to work directly with Officer Simpson and legal to resolve before September 5 event.
• Permit expiration policy: The board noted that an ordinance amendment is forthcoming; until then, amnesty letters are available for businesses with active new applications. No formal motion was made on this topic.
• The meeting adjourned to a later hearing session for violation cases.