If your special event is cancelled due to the wildfire situation in your area, please email LCRB.SEP@gov.bc.ca to request a refund of the Special Event Permit (SEP) fee.
Visit the Ministry of Finance website to apply for a PST refund.
A Special Event Permit (SEP) is required for an event organizer or host (i.e., individual, organization or business) to sell or serve liquor in a location that is not a
The host or organizer of the event must be aged 19 or older to apply for a SEP. A permit cannot be issued to a person or business (i.e., liquor service provider) that is not the organizer of the event.
Selling liquor includes direct and indirect charges for liquor
A SEP is commonly issued for a:
Visit Special event permittee resources and information to learn whether your event requires a SEP.
An additional fee may be required where a liquor inspector has worked with event organizers or if your event requires a liquor inspector to attend. Inspector service fees will be billed after the event.
A special event permittee must not consume liquor at the event.
At SEP events, patrons must not bring their own liquor. "Bring Your Own Booze" and self-service of liquor by patrons is not allowed. All liquor must be purchased using the permit from an authorized source and served by certified servers.
All individuals hosting or serving liquor at a SEP event – including family events - are required to complete a Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training program.
Anyone that holds a valid SIR certification does not need to take the SES program.
You can still apply for a SEP if you don’t have your certificate yet. However, you cannot host your event until you complete the course and pass the exam.
You must follow B.C.’s liquor laws and the SEP terms and conditions at all times (specific terms and conditions may be printed on your permit). Make sure to review the:
Events that do not require police or LCRB review are approved automatically. Approval times can vary depending on the size and complexity of the event.
Submitting your SEP application 30 days in advance is strongly recommended. If the SEP requires an exemption your application should be submitted no later than 14 days prior to your event start date.
Local police will review event applications in the portal with:
The police may recommend additional terms and conditions for the permit should they identify potential public safety concerns, subject to LCRB approval.
Learn more about:
Before applying for a SEP, check with the event facility or property manager to confirm that liquor service is permitted or if other local rules apply.
You must have written permission from the local government authority if you plan to provide liquor service at an event on land or premises owned by a
Common examples include events at municipal parks, recreation centres and civic plazas.
Written permission from the local authority needs to be kept on-site at the event to ensure it is available for inspection. Read more about local approvals on the Special event permittee resources and information page.
How you access the application will depend on who is applying for the permit.
BC Services Card
Use your BC Services Card, if you are a B.C. resident and:
A sole proprietor can use their personal BC Services Card or a BCeID.
Visit BC Services Card to learn about how to:
If you are not a B.C. resident, you must use a BCeID (see below).
BCeID
A BCeID allows non-residents of B.C. and businesses to access provincial services. You must have a BCeID to log in to the Special Event Permit application portal if you are a:
Learn which BCeID is right for you below.
For help setting up your BCeID or BC Services Card, please contact the BCeID Help Desk. LCRB staff cannot assist with setting up a BCeID.
Show 2 itemsComplete the online application and fee payment by logging in to the Special Event Permit (SEP) application portal.
Please see below for technical support with the portal.
You can withdraw a SEP application or approved permit to cancel it. If you have not paid the permit fee, you will not be charged. Paid fees are non-refundable.
In the licensing portal, go to your "Applications" dashboard and select the withdraw button to the right of your permit. Withdrawing an application or permit cannot be undone.
You must apply to the Ministry of Finance for a refund of the PST equivalent amount you paid on the mark-up. Visit the Ministry of Finance website to learn more.
Once your permit is approved, you can download it in the SEP application portal.
You must follow B.C. liquor laws and the terms and conditions of your SEP at all times. Be sure to review
Before your event date, contact local authorities for additional rules that may apply to your event.
Once your SEP application is approved, you can buy liquor for your event.
All liquor sold and served at a SEP event must be purchased from one of the following:
UBrew and UVin products can be served (but not sold) at an event licensed under a family or hobbyist competition SEP.
You cannot permit guests to bring their own liquor to your event.
You must keep the following documents on-site at your event:
On your event day, you should print, sign, and post your SEP in the designated liquor service area. You must also display, as applicable
Refer to the terms and conditions for more information on each document.
Learn more about site plans and security plans below.
Show 1 itemAfter your event:
Read the SEP PST page and find more information on liquor sales on the BC Ministry of Finance website or by telephone at 1-877-388-4440.
You may return unused and un-opened product purchased from BC Liquor Stores back to the point of purchase. Liquor product returns after an event are subject to the Liquor Distribution Branch’s Product Return Policy and restocking fee.
You have up to 60 days after your event to submit a summary of event revenues and expenses along with proof that proceeds, after expenses paid, were directed to a charitable purpose. You can submit your own report, financial statements or complete the Charity Fund-Raising Event Revenue Report:
Proof of proceeds can include: a letter, cancelled cheque or newspaper article.
Read more about charitable fundraisers on the Special event permittee resources and information page.
The answer to your question can likely be found on the Special event permittee resources page. If you can't find the answer online, contact the LCRB's SEP support team.
