Special event permittee resources and information

This page is an overview of Special Event Permit (SEP) policies and resources. This page does not cover all requirements found in the SEP Terms and Conditions and Policy Manual. 

There are two types of Special Event Permits for liquor service. 

Private special events

Private special events are events that will be attended by

• invited guests
• members and staff of an organization
• persons to whom advance tickets have been given or sold 

Tickets for private special events must not be sold at the door. 

Public special events

Events are considered public if they are held in a place open to the public. Tickets for public events may be given in advance and at the door. 

An event where advance tickets have been given or sold and the availability of liquor is being advertised (whether directly or indirectly such as a picture of a wine glass, etc. and/or liquor is in the name of the event) is a public event.

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On this page:

• What is a Special Event Permit?
• Events that do not require a SEP
• Events that require a SEP
• Limits and exemptions
• Your responsibilities
• Buying, serving, and selling liquor
• After the event is over
• Refunds and cancellations

What is a Special Event Liquor Permit?

There are two types of Special Event Permits:

Learn about Special Event Permits on the SEP application page. 

Apply for a Special Event Permit

Events that do not require a liquor permit

Events that require a liquor permit

Special Event Liquor Permit (SEP) terms and conditions and policy manual

Applicants and permit holders should read the following for detailed requirements:

Maximums and exemptions

Hours

Permitted hours for all special occasion events are:

• Indoor events: 9 am – 2 am the following day

• Outdoor events: 9 am – 10 pm the same day

Applications requesting to extend the hours for a special event beyond permitted hours must provide a reason for the request and explain strategies that will be implemented to prevent disturbing the nearby community.

Maximum number of SEPs

LCRB policy generally limits an applicant to 24 events in one year.

In some cases, an applicant may be allowed to apply for more frequent SEPs if it is in the public interest and if SEPs are not being used in a manner that is more appropriate for a permanent liquor permit.

Maximum prices of drinks

Maximum drink prices are outlined in APPENDIX 2 (page 48) of the SEP Policy Manual for the price list. 

B.C.’s liquor laws do not allow SEPs to be used for personal or commercial profit unless the event is for charitable purposes, or of municipal, provincial, national, or international significance. As a result, drink prices at SEP events are limited to ensure that liquor sales are used for cost recovery. Only events for charitable purposes or events of municipal, provincial, or international significance may request to charge above the cost recovery price.

Wine may be sold for more than $7.00 per drink if reasons are provided and approved by the LCRB for the need to raise drink prices above the schedule maximums. Those requests will also be reviewed by LCRB’s licensing division. 

Only organizations with a GST registration number may include the GST in the liquor price.

Maximum attendance

The maximum attendance for your event is listed on your special event permit

You must also confirm the occupant load of your venue:

• If you are renting a private space, contact the owner or landlord to confirm the occupant load
• If you are renting a public space, contact the municipality or fire department to confirm the occupant load for the venue.

If the maximum attendance limit on your permit is different from your occupant load, you must not exceed the lower of the two numbers.

For more information, see ‘overcrowding’ in the terms and conditions handbook.

Exemptions

Exemptions are required when an application requests permission to operate outside normal LCRB policies. There is no fee charged for reviewing an exemption request. If your application requires an exemption your application must be submitted no later than 14 days prior to your event start date. Submitting your SEP application 30 days in advance is strongly suggested.

An exemption can grant the applicant with permission to do one of the following:                                                                                                                                                                            

• Hold more than 24 SEP events per year,
• Extend the hours of a special event beyond 10 pm for outdoor events or 2 am for indoor events,
• Charge more for drinks than the prices specified in the liquor price schedule, and/or
• Make profit from events of municipal, provincial, national, or international significance.

Your responsibilities

The special event permit holder must not consume liquor at the event.  You can find more information the responsibilities of a designate permit holder in the section 'your presence’ in the terms and conditions handbook, and the Special Event Permit Policy Manual. 

Responsible beverage service training

Serving It Right (SIR) is a certified course that educates permittees, managers and servers about their legal responsibilities when serving liquor. The Special Event Server (SES) training is an abridged program specifically for SEP events.

An SIR certificate is required for permittees and managers for events with 500 or more attendees. Special Event Server training is acceptable for permittees and managers of events with fewer than 500 attendees. All event servers (paid or unpaid), regardless of the size of the event, must be either SIR or SES certified. For more information and to see a list of acceptable certificates from other provinces, visit Responsible Service BC. 

The permit holder may not use the SIR or SES certificate number of an event manager or caterer to meet this requirement. 

Event safety and controlling your event 

The area in which you will be serving liquor must be surrounded by a barrier that will limit the sale, service and consumption of liquor to that area. For more information, see ‘controlling your event’ and ‘security’ in the terms and conditions handbook.

It is your responsibility to ensure that

• Guests do not become intoxicated at the event site
• No one is harmed because of liquor misuse or criminal activity
• The permit holder is present during liquor service hours
• Liquor is served only within the hours indicated on the permit

You must take reasonable measures to prevent disorderly conduct or unlawful activities at your event. You must also ensure the event does not disturb people near the event site. If your event poses a safety threat, the liquor inspector or police can cancel your permit and order the immediate removal of guests.

Get home safely

ICBC produces a Special Event Support Kit that includes resources to help remind your guests to arrange a safe ride home, including posters, tent cards and a tips sheet. Order your kit from ICBC.

Minors

You must ensure that liquor is not served to minors and have policies in place to meet this responsibility. Minors are not permitted in beverage gardens. 

For more information, see ‘minors’ in the terms and conditions handbook.

Permit documents

If applicable, the following documents must be available for inspection at the event site (the documents required will vary depending on the event):

• LCRB approved SEP: posted in the liquor service area where it can be easily viewed;
• A site plan and if required a security plan;
• Serving It Right (SIR) or Special Event Server (SES) certificate numbers and expiry dates for the permit holder and any persons handling liquor;
• Exemption letters from the LCRB or documents imposing terms and conditions;
• Written designation of an individual who can attend the event on behalf of the permittee; and
• Written permission from the local government or First Nation to hold the event on lands or premises that they own or operate
• Written designation from the local government if an event has been deemed municipally significant;
• Legible receipts clearly showing the amount, type(s) and source(s) of all liquor that was purchased or donated prior to the start of the event.

Buying, serving, and selling liquor

Types of liquor

All types of liquor may be sold or served at private special events with the exception of UBrew and UVin. UBrew and UVin products may be served (but not sold) at an event licensed under a family or hobbyist competition SEP.

For public special events, permittees may sell beer, wine, cider, coolers and spirits, but not spirits designed for rapid consumption (i.e., shooters).

The service of shooters has been shown to carry higher risk of over-consumption and rapid intoxication than other kinds of alcoholic beverages. In the interest of public safety, the service of shooters at public special events are not permitted.

Purchasing liquor

All liquor sold or served at a SEP event must be purchased from one of the following:

• BC Liquor Stores
• B.C. winery, brewery, or distillery with an on-site store
• Licensee Retail Store
• Wine Store
• Special Wine Store
• Rural Licensee Retail Store

As a permittee you cannot permit guests to bring their own liquor to the special events. Bring your own liquor (“BYOB”) events cannot be licensed.

Breweries

Permittees can purchase kegs of beer and beer products directly from B.C. breweries.

Donated liquor

Permittees may serve liquor that has been donated under the following conditions:

• It was donated by a licensed liquor manufacturer or agent
• The event’s purpose is to raise funds for a charitable purpose

Only charities and non-profit organizations hosting an event to raise funds for a charitable purpose may receive donated liquor from an agent or manufacturer.

UBrew/UVin and homemade liquor products at weddings

UBrew, UVin and homemade liquor products may be served (but not sold) at an event licensed under a family SEP. A wedding meets the criteria for a family special event.

Private liquor collections

Permittees may not provide liquor from a private collection to be served by the glass or as samples to guests.

Liquor quantities

You must encourage moderate consumption at all times and follow the maximum serving sizes permitted for SEP events.

To help prevent over service and intoxication of patrons and guests, limits are imposed on the amount of liquor that can be served at one time. Standard drink serving sizes permitted are:

• 340 ml (12 ounce) cans or bottles for beer, cider or coolers
• 12 ounces for draught beer, cider or coolers
• 5 ounces for individual glasses of wine
• 1.5 ounce for spirits

Liquor service areas

Liquor service is generally permitted through the entire event site at public events under a SEP. A beverage garden may be imposed for public safety reasons. On your SEP application, you will be asked to describe the area where liquor will be sold, served or consumed (liquor service area). Once approved, that designated area is the only area that is licensed for the service of liquor.

If your event is outside or is using only part of a large building or hall, the liquor service area must be enclosed by a barrier sufficient to confine the sale, service and consumption of liquor to the specified area.

After the event is over

Depending on the type of event you hosted and whether or not you sold drinks, you may have to submit post-event reports. Remember to:

• Collect and keep event documents for your records. You must keep your records for 2 years after your special event.
• Return any extra BC Liquor Stores products, in saleable condition, to a store near you.
• Compare liquor costs and revenue from your event to the estimated cost and revenue stated in your application.
• Apply for a refund to the Ministry of Finance (no fee) if you overpaid PST
• Pay additional PST if applicable. For more information about PST adjustments visit PST for Special Event Liquor Permits. For assistance, call 1-877-388-4440.

Reporting a charitable fundraiser

You have up to 60 days after your event end date to submit a summary of event revenues and expenses along with proof that proceeds, after expenses paid, were given 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. If you did not sell drinks at your event, you may not need to submit a revenue report. If you are unsure, contact the LCRB.

Refunds and cancellations

You can withdraw a pending application if its status is “Pending Review” or “Pending Payment”. Go to your Applications dashboard and select the event you wish to withdraw. Within your application, you will see a withdraw button. Once you withdraw an application it will no longer be eligible for approval and a permit for your event will not be issued. You will not be charged an application fee.

Cancelling an approved permit

Once your permit is issued you will not be able to cancel it. You may choose not to use your permit; however, please note that permit fees for an approved event are non-refundable.