BC Special Event Liquor Licensing 101

In BC, a special event liquor license is required for some private and public events if you are serving alcohol. The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) administers special event permits.

Private & Public Special Events

Private events that are held in public places require a special event permit:

• Private family events
  Weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, retirement parties, memorials, bachelor and bachelorette parties. You do not need a permit when the event is held at a private residence.
• Events for invited guests and ticket holders
  If your private event is attended by invited guests, people who have purchased tickets in advance, or members and/or staff of an organization

Events that are held in public and open to the general public require a special event permit:

• Beverage and beer gardens
• Public venue or public property events
• Charitable fundraisers
• Liquor tastings held by non-profits or businesses

Events at a Place of Business

A special event liquor license is required for businesses that host:

• A private event for invited guests or ticket holders. Tickets cannot be sold at the door.
• A public event that anyone can attend by getting tickets in advance, at the door, or in the venue.

A special events permit is not required for a private staff party at your place of business if: the party is held when the business is closed, there is no charge to attend the event, or there is no charge for liquor. Only employers, business owners, staff and their guests may attend.

Source: “Determine if you need a liquor Special Event Permit”, LCRB.

Special Event Permit Holder Responsibilities

The permit holder must:

• Be 19 years of age or older
• Not consume alcohol at the event
• Attend the event from the beginning to the end of liquor service
• Have valid Serving it Right or Special Event Server certification.
  The size of the event determines which of the two certifications you require. If the event has fewer than 500 attendees, the permit holder requires Special Event Server certification. If the event has 500 or more attendees, the permit holder requires Serving it Right certification.

Source: “Permit holder responsibilities”, LCRB.

Required On-Site Documents

Your permit will list the documents you are required to keep at the event, which may include:

• Site plan (required for all events)
• Special Event Permit
• Serving it Right or Special Event Server certificate(s)
• Security plan (if there are 500 or more attendees, or if police require the security plan).
• Signage (denoting liquor service area, entrances/exits, ID required for liquor service)
• Receipts for liquor purchases
• Drink price list
• Incident log
• Relevant approvals from police, municipality, or First Nation

Source: LCRB Special Event Permit Documents Checklist.

Applying for a Special Event Liquor License

LCRB recommends submitting your special event liquor license application 30 days before the event. Apply for a special event permit at the LCRB Liquor & Cannabis Licensing portal. To log into the portal, you’ll need either a basic BCeID account, business BCeID account, or a BC Services card.

Fees

Public special events: $100 per day/location.
Private special events: $25 per day/location.

Special Event Permit Resources

• Special Event Permit Terms and Conditions
• Special Event Permit Policy Manual
• On-Site Documents Checklist

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