Change a Manufacturer licence

For Manufacturer licensees who want to make changes to their licence.

Before you start

Change applications must be submitted through the liquor and cannabis licensing portal. After logging into the portal, navigate to the applications menu in the "Licences and Authorizations" tab and select the change you want to make. 

Processing times vary. 

Some changes require a fee and local government or Indigenous Nation approval. Please reach out to your local authorities before you apply and pay the fee to ensure you are following all local requirements.

Overview

Endorsements

Endorsements allow manufacturers to operate different types of service areas with additional privileges: 

You can modify an existing endorsement by applying for a: 

  • New outdoor patio
  • Structural change with increased capacity
  • Structural change with the same capacity
  • Change to hours of liquor service

Sampling areas

There are several types of applications to add an indoor or outdoor sampling area at your manufacturer site.

Other licence changes

All other applications to change your licence include:

  • Make a structural change to:
    • Add or change a liquor production or storage area
  • Permanent change to licensee
  • Add or change a third party operator
  • Add or change a tied house exemption
  • Change the name of an establishment (operating as name)
  • Temporarily extend a licensed area
  • Request changes to Terms and Conditions or request for discretion
  • Request to temporarily suspend a licence
  • Register an off-site liquor storage location
  • Submit a dormancy notification

Types of changes

Find information for the type of change you want to make.

Add an endorsement or patio

Endorsements allow manufacturers to operate different types of service areas. Read more about each type of endorsement and new patio applications below

A lounge and special event area (SEA) need to be approved by your local government or Indigenous nation. This means longer processing times.

Except for picnic area endorsements which are free, endorsements increase the renewal fee of your manufacturer licence.

Change a lounge or special event area endorsement

You can apply for the following changes to a lounge or special event area in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal:

  • Change a lounge or special event area to increase capacity
  • Change a lounge or special event area with no increase to capacity
  • Change hours of liquor service outside service hours or within service hours

Apply online

Change a picnic area endorsement

To add a sale area or make changes to a picnic area endorsement, select "Change to an Approved Picnic Area" in the "Licences and Authorizations" tab in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal. 

A sale area allows you to serve your product by the glass in the picnic area endorsement, authorizing an outdoor sampling area.

Apply online

Make a structural change

To make the following changes, complete the "Structural change to a production or storage area, sampling area, or on-site store" application in the "Licences and Authorizations" dashboard in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal.

  • Add or change a liquor production or storage area
  • Add or change an indoor/outdoor sampling area
  • Change an on-site store

Cosmetic changes don't require an application (i.e., changing the flooring, paint, countertops, and rearranging moveable furniture).

The fee for a structural change is $440.

Apply online

Register an off-site liquor storage location

Manufacturers may store liquor at a secure offsite storage area that is registered with the LCRB. Offsite storage areas must be located in British Columbia and cannot be located in a residence. Liquor inspectors must be permitted access to the storage area. 

Manufacturers may submit an off-site liquor storage notification under the licence name in the "Licences and Authorizations" tab in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal. 

Submit online

Apply to make a permanent change to a licensee

You must apply for the LCRB's approval within 10 days of making the changes listed below.

All changes must be completed in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal. 

Go to 'Dashboard' tab in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal, then click on the button in the right-hand column box to submit any of the following changes:

  • Change in ownership of shares
  • Name change of licensee (legal entity name)
  • Amalgamation of the corporation, holding company or subsidiary
  • Change of directors/officers/senior managers
    • Note: Each new director/officer must submit a Personal History Summary form online and upload the required documents including a Criminal Record Check.
  • Addition of receiver or executor

Apply online

Change the name of an establishment (operating as)

To change the name of an establishment, complete the application "Change the name of an establishment" in the Licences and Authorizations tab in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal.

Apply online

Add or change a third party operator

A third-party operator is an individual, partnership or corporate entity hired by a licensee to manage their establishment. The licensee remains accountable for the overall operation of the licensed establishment. To add a third party operator, complete the application in the "Licences and Authorizations" tab in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal.

Submit online

Add or change tied house exemption

Inducement restrictions do not apply to a licensee and manufacturer with an approved tied house exemption. Manufacturers can apply to add or change a tied house exemption online in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal. 

Complete the application called "Invitation to Tied House Exemption" in the Licences and Authorizations page in the licensing portal to invite another licensee to form a tied house with your licence.

Apply Online

Dormancy notification

Notify us within 10 days of the closure or as soon as you become aware that the closure will be longer than 90 days.

You can find more information in the Dormancy Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 265 KB).

Apply Online

Contact information

Contact our client support team

In Victoria Office
250-952-5787
In Canada Toll Free
1-866-209-2111
Liquor licences
LCRBLiquor@gov.bc.ca