Liquor licences and permits
If you want to sell liquor in B.C., you need a liquor licence or permit.
Find information about liquor licences and permits, including how to apply or alter your licence and what certifications you need to work in the serving industry.
Apply or amend a liquor licence or permit
Liquor Primary licence
For businesses wanting to offer liquor as their primary focus or as an additional service to their patrons.
- Apply
- Amend (change, TESA, relocate, renew, or transfer)
- Liquor Primary Terms and Conditions (PDF, 532KB)
Food Primary licence
For restaurants, bistros, cafes and other businesses where their primary focus is food.
- Apply
- Amend (change, TESA, relocate, renew, or transfer)
- Food Primary Terms and Conditions (PDF, 474KB)
Manufacturer licence
For businesses producing or manufacturing liquor such as wine, cider, beer (including brew pubs), or spirits.
- Apply
- Amend (change, TESA, relocate, renew, or transfer)
- Manufacturer Terms and Conditions (PDF, 485KB)
Find out about Artisan and Farmers Market Liquor Sales
Agent licence
For businesses that promote, market and take wholesale orders for liquor products
- Apply
- Amend (change, relocate, renew, or transfer)
- Agent Terms and Conditions (PDF, 284KB)
UBrew and UVin licence
For business that allow customers to ferment-on-premises
- Apply
- Amend (change, relocate, renew, or transfer)
- UBrew and UVin Terms and Conditions (PDF, 270KB)
Catering licence
For businesses that cater food and beverages
- Apply
- Amend (change, relocate, renew, or transfer)
- Catering Terms and Conditions (PDF, 411KB)
Liquor Charitable Auction permit
For non-profits wanting to auction liquor at an event.
Liquor Special Event Permit
For event hosts wanting to offer liquor service at special events.
Ethyl Alcohol Purchase permit
For mechanical or manufacturing businesses wanting to use ethyl alcohol.
Non-beverage Alcohol Exemption
For people who sell, supply, purchase or use non-beverage alcohol products.
Rural Licensee Retail Store licence
For general stores to sell packaged liquor in rural communities and tourist destination resorts.
- Apply
- Amend (change, relocate, renew, transfer)
- Rural Licensee Retail Store Terms and Conditions Handbook (PDF, 421.4KB)
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch is not accepting new applications for
Temporary Expanded Service Areas (TESAs), as well as:
Wine Store licence
Wine stores are separate retail stores that sell wine. There is an open-ended freeze on new wine stores and the government is not accepting new Wine Store licence applications.
Special Wine Store licence
A Special Wine Store licence allows for wine to be sold on selected shelves of a grocery store. There is an open-ended freeze on new wine stores and the government is not accepting new Special Wine Store licence applications.
Licensee Retail Store (LRS)
A Licensee Retail Store licence allows for liquor to be sold for private consumption. There is a freeze on new Licensee Retail Stores until July 1, 2032 and the government is not accepting new Licensee Retail Store licence applications.
Amend a liquor licence
Find out how to amend a liquor licence, including:
- Make changes to your liquor licence (e.g., make your TESA permanent)
- Renew your liquor licence
- Relocate your liquor licence
- Transfer your liquor licence
Liquor licensee resources and information
Get resources and information including social responsibility posters, guidelines for advertising, and liquor licensing forms.
Download lists of all licensed liquor establishments in B.C.
Liquor law and policy
Read about liquor law and policy, including licence
Serving It Right and Special Event Server
Learn what you need to work in the industry if you serve liquor at an event or establishment.