All liquor licenses issued by the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC), including all on premises, off premises, manufacturer, wholesaler, and importer licenses, are effective for periods of one year each, and expire April 30th of each licensing year. Exceptions exist only for certain sales representative and vendor permits, which are valid for terms of three years. In order for restaurants, hotels, retail stores and other liquor licensed operators to retain their licensed status with the ability to furnish and/or sell alcoholic beverages - whether at retail or wholesale - each Michigan licensee must renew their existing licenses on or prior to April 30th. The failure of an active licensee to timely renew a license is a violation of the Michigan Liquor Control Code.

For those with licenses currently in escrow, different rules for renewal apply, but these licenses must also be renewed, despite the non-active nature of the license. Finally, no exceptions to the renewal rules exist for recently issued licenses: liquor licenses issued in the 2012 - 2013 licensing year must be renewed by May 1 as well.

Typically, the administrative staff of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission will mail renewal packages in the middle of March.