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Temporary expanded service area (TESA) authorization
Last updated on February 12, 2025
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About
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Provincial Health Officer’s orders, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) implemented Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA) authorizations starting in May 2020. A TESA authorized Food Primary, Liquor Primary, and Manufacturer licensees to temporarily expand their service areas to serve patrons while allowing for physical distancing.
TESA expiry
TESA authorizations expired on December 31, 2024.
If you did not apply for a patio, structural change, or other application to make the TESA permanent, you cannot serve liquor in the area.
Apply for a permanent service area
To make your TESA a permanent service area, apply for a:
- New outdoor patio
- Structural change
- Manufacturer endorsement
Approval for a structural change can take up to 10 months to complete. Applying early can help prevent disruptions in business after the legislated expiry date.
Not all TESA authorizations may be suitable as permanent patios. Before you apply and pay the fee:
- Work with your local authorities to make sure the permanent patio or structural change follows local bylaws and rules
- For example, check if the patio is on public property or Agricultural Land Reserve
Patio licensing
Occupant load
Before the application is submitted, you need a floor plan with a current occupant load stamp signed and dated within the last 12 months. The floor plan should clearly show the structural change. The application will not be approved without an occupant load stamp on the floor plan.
The occupant load is generally determined by the local government or Indigenous Nation fire and/or building authorities. If the LG/IN will not provide the occupant load, the licensee should submit a letter with the application stating this. The Branch will then accept an occupant load stamp dated and signed by a registered professional architect or engineer.
Patio bounding
The LCRB made important policy changes to support the transition of TESAs to permanent service areas. Section 16: Patios in the Liquor Policy Manual, and the terms and conditions handbooks were updated to reflect a new policy on patio bounding.
The updated policy requires the boundaries of outdoor service areas to be clearly marked and is less prescriptive on the nature/type of patio bounding. Licensees are responsible for selecting patio bounding to ensure compliance with regulations.
Valid interest
Although a patio is a permanent addition to a licence, licensees only need valid interest for the patio area when the patio is in operation. For example, if a licensee only intends to sell and serve liquor on the patio between April and September, they need only have valid interest for that period.
A licensee may be required to provide documents that prove valid interest in their application. For example:
- Certificate of Title demonstrating ownership
- Annual lease agreement
- Letter of confirmation from the owner of the land or municipality
Seasonal patios
Licensees with seasonal patios are still required to apply for a new outdoor patio to operate their TESA permanently. Licensees can indicate which months the patio will be operating when submitting the application. Once a permanent structural change or patio is approved, licensees do not need to reapply annually to the LCRB. Local governments or Indigenous Nations may have a separate application process for patios in their jurisdiction.
How to apply
Liquor Primary or Food Primary
To apply as a Liquor Primary or Food Primary licensee:
- Log in to the liquor and cannabis licensing portal with a BCeID
- Go to the "Licences and Authorizations" dashboard and find the licence you want to change.
- Select:
- "New Outdoor Patio" for an outdoor TESA or
- "Structural Change Application" for an indoor TESA
- Complete the application.
Manufacturers
The instructions for Manufacturer licensees vary depending on the service area or licence endorsement the TESA is associated with. Visit the Change a manufacturer licence page to see which application can make your TESA permanent.
Fee
Liquor Primary and Food Primary application fee: $440
Manufacturer application fee: Varies
Information for local authorities
Local governments and First Nations can find out more about the community input process and their role in liquor licensing.
Liquor Primary or Manufacturer patios
New outdoor patio applications are sent to the local government or Indigenous Nation to complete the resolution and community input process for:
- Liquor Primary licensees
- Manufacturer lounge or special event area endorsements
Food Primary patios
A new outdoor patio for a Food Primary licence will not be sent to the local government or First Nation, since the community input process and resolution are not required. However the licensee is expected to have the required permits in place when applying for the patio.
Other Manufacturer TESAs
Local approvals for manufacturer change applications depend on the type of endorsement associated with the TESA.
Contact information
Contact our client support team