California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 24045

(a) All licenses, except on-sale general licenses for seasonal businesses and daily on-sale general licenses issued pursuant to Section 24045.1, shall be issued on an annual basis. However, the department may issue special licenses for the sale of beer and wine on a temporary basis for premises temporarily occupied by the licensee for a picnic, social gathering, or similar occasion at a fee equal to the actual cost of issuing the license, but not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) per day.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a license transferred pursuant to Section 24071 or 24071.1 shall be issued for the unexpired term remaining on the license of the transferor.

(c) The director may assign or reassign dates for the expiration of licenses issued pursuant to this section. The director may establish a registration year for any license issued pursuant to subdivision (a) consisting of any period from six months to 18 months, inclusive, and shall prorate related annual fees to the extent the registration year is greater or less than 12 months, with subsequent renewals being required at yearly intervals.