Liquor law and policy

The Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) is responsible for importing, distributing and registering all liquor products in B.C., as well as government liquor stores.

The Liquor Distribution Act gives the LDB the sole right to purchase beverage alcohol both within B.C. and from outside the province, in accordance with the federal Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act.

The LDB supplies product to more than 10,000 B.C. bars, restaurants and private retailers.

Contact LDB for more information.

The Ministry of Environment's recycling regulation requires licensees to accept up to 24 empty container returns per person per day for the product brands and sizes they sell.

• The 24-container return limit refers to the combined number of all containers returned by a person

For the health and safety of staff, licensees are not required to accept for refund any container that is rusty, dirty or contaminated. Private liquor stores must refund the full amount of the applicable container deposits. This refund must be given in cash and cannot be given as store credit.

Persons contravening the Ministry of Environment regulation commit an offence.

Read more about beverage containers and the recycling program.

Wineries, cideries, breweries, distilleries and meaderies in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) are governed by

• The Agricultural Land Commission Act (ALCA)
• The Agricultural Land Reserve Use, Subdivision and Procedure Regulation
• ALC policies with rules about activities permitted on ALR land
  • Without approval of the Agricultural Land Commission

Related resources 

• Agricultural Land Reserve Use Regulation - Alcohol Production        
• Gathering for an Event in the ALR (PDF, 56KB)
• Agri-tourism Activities in the ALR (PDF, 63KB)

For more information, contact the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission.

Minors accompanied by a parent or guardian, or working as a supervised employee, may be present during licensed bingo or ticket raffle events. The establishment must have permission from the LCRB.

The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) oversees Licensed Charitable Gaming Rules. Visit the GPEB website to learn more.

If a licensee sells BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) lottery products and has been approved by the LCRB to permit accompanied minors, the BCLC requires licensees to notify patron that the purchase of lottery products by minors is prohibited. Wall or ceiling mounted gaming screens do not have to be covered or switched off. 

Visit Lotto BCLC to find rules and guidelines for retailers.

If the LCRB has approved the presence of minors in an establishment selling tobacco products, that establishment is required to meet the tobacco law requirements during hours when minors are present. Tobacco products, including vending machines, and tobacco advertising must be covered during the hours when minors are permitted.

Visit the Tobacco Control Program for retailer guidelines and provisions.

The LCRB regulates both the maximum amount of liquor a person can order at a time, and the minimum drink prices. Official weights and measures, such as the size of a pint, are defined and regulated by Measurement Canada through the federal Weights and Measures Act and Regulation.

Provincial liquor inspectors cannot enforce federal legislation. If you believe that an establishment is advertising incorrect drink sizes, such as the size of a pint of draft beer, visit Measurement Canada.