ELLISVILLE — Ellisville city officials have approved an ordinance regulating the sale of beer and light wine within city limits.

During Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting, the board made a unanimous decision to sign a document that paves the way for distributors to apply for licenses to sell beer and light wine in the city.

“The item was not on our agenda, but people started talking about it and everyone decided to look at the proposed ordinance,” explained Mayor Tim Waldrup. “It was passed unanimously and now it takes affect immediately.”

Waldrup noted, however, that businesses need both a state and city license before that will be allowed to sell the beverages in the city. “They have to get a license from the state before we will even consider giving them one,” he explained.

According to the ordinance, any person, partnership, firm, or corporation desiring to sell beer and light wine shall pay the city a privilege license tax and file an application with the Ellisville City Clerk.

The ordinance further states that “all such city privilege licenses shall be issued for a period of one year and the holder thereof may apply for renewal thereafter.” The ordinance also requires that the license be displayed conspicuously in the place of business and that the license shall not be transferable.

Applicants must be over 21 years of age and a person of good moral character, a citizen of the United States and the State of Mississippi.

The mayor and board of alderman also stated that any location for the sale of beer and light wine must conform to the zoning restrictions. “In no event shall location of the proposed site for said shall be within 300 feet measured from the front door of said business to the front door of any such church, sanctuary, tax-supported school main entrance, funeral home or kindergarten,” the ordinance states.

Any misstatement or concealment of any facts requested in an application shall be grounds for revocation of the license.