To apply, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/special-event-liquor-permit
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 are events that will be attended by
Tickets for private special events must not be sold at the door.
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:
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 at private residences
Events at private residences do not require a Special Event Permit. This is because police and government officials are unable to inspect liquor permits if they are issued in a residence.
Areas that are part of a residence, such as a common room in a strata complex, are considered private residences.
You can serve liquor without a permit in a private residence; however, liquor cannot be sold and a permit cannot be issued. You can hire a commercial caterer to provide liquor service under different licensing regulations, but the sale of liquor to guests remains prohibited.
Please note: Any part of a building that is not occupied as a private or vacation dwelling is not considered a “residence”.
For more information, review the Special Event Permit Policy Manual.
Private parties at places of businesses
A SEP is not required for a private party at a business which is not regularly licensed if the party is held when the business is closed and if there is no charge to attend or charge for liquor. The party must be restricted to the employer or the business owner and employees and their guests
Staff parties
A SEP is not required for a staff party if the party is held in a closed office or business that is not regularly licensed.
The party must be restricted to the owners or employers, employees and their guests and liquor may only be served but not sold. If the business premise is a regularly licensed establishment, then a SEP will be required unless the event meets the terms and conditions of the licence.
Family events
A family event is a private special event attended by family and friends only (not open to the public), hosted by a family member or a friend of the family, to celebrate an aspect of family life.
A family event can include
Pre-wedding parties of any kind commonly known as bachelor and bachelorette parties (e.g., stags and stagettes) are eligible for a Special Event Permit.
Charitable fundraiser
Organizations may be allowed to sell liquor at a profit provided all proceeds (remaining revenues, once costs have been recovered) are directed to a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to carry out charitable purposes.
The recipient of any funds raised by the event must be a non-profit organization whose primary function is to undertake charitable purposes as defined in the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, and any funds given to such an organization must be used for charitable purposes. However, the recipient organization does not have to be a registered charity.
Hobbyist competitions
The hobbyist competition is a subcategory of the private SEP. If you hold a hobbyist competition you may serve tastings of the wine, beer or cider entered into the competition to other participants and judges. You may not charge for tasting or for entry into the event.
Participants could be charged a cost recovery fee to enter their product for judging. Sample sizes are limited (4 ounces for beer and cider and 2 ounces for wine).
Liquor tasting events
Liquor tasting events require a SEP. Any non-profit organization or business is eligible to host a tasting event.
Tasting sizes are limited to smaller sizes than at normal SEP events.
Size limits are:
Hosts can charge per drink or charge for tokens or tickets that may be exchanged for drinks.
All liquor must be purchased by the SEP holder before the event start
Events of municipal significance
Municipally significant events are those deemed uniquely significant to the municipality alone. This type of event may have historical value specific to the region or benefit the community at large. Municipally significant events must be designated as such through a municipal resolution. Events of municipal significance may require a SEP if there is a liquor service planned.
Events on public or municipal property
Check in advance of your application to ensure that local authorities (i.e., city, regional district) permit you to use their facilities or properties for liquor service. Your application will be denied if you don't get the local approvals for an event on municipal property.
The LCRB will work with you and with local authorities to determine whether approval can be granted. This may include adding approval conditions that were not part of the original permit application, or that change or restrict the permit.
In some cases, local approvals cannot be granted, and it is not possible to continue with an event. In those cases, a permit would be suspended or cancelled. No fee refunds are provided for cancelled permits. PST prepayment may be refunded by the Ministry of Finance. For more information about PST adjustments visit:http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/taxes/sales-taxes/publications/pst-300-special-event-liquor-permits.pdf or call 1-877-388-4440.
Local governments and First Nations may receive a copy of SEPs issued in their jurisdictions, if they wish. Information regarding SEPs issued in an area is also available to local police.
For further information on local authority requirements, contact the local authority for the property or facility directly.
Events of provincial, international or national significance
The LCRB will determine events of a provincial, national, or international significance considering if:
These events may require a SEP if there is a liquor service planned.
Applicants and permit holders should read the following for detailed requirements:
Special Event Permit Terms and Conditions Handbook preview
SEP Terms and Conditions Handbook (PDF, 293KB) table of contents preview:
Special Event Permit Policy Manual preview
SEP Policy Manual (PDF, 457.1KB) table of contents preview:
Permitted hours for all special occasion events are:
Indoor events: 9 am – 2 am the following 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.
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 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.
The maximum attendance for your event is listed on your special event permit
You must also confirm the occupant load of your 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 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:
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
If applicable, the following documents must be available for inspection at the event site (the documents required will vary depending on the event):
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.
All liquor sold or served at a SEP event must be purchased from one of the following:
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.
Permittees can purchase kegs of beer and beer products directly from B.C. breweries.
Permittees may serve liquor that has been donated under the following conditions:
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 may be served (but not sold) at an event licensed under a family SEP. A wedding meets the criteria for a family special event.
Permittees may not provide liquor from a private collection to be served by the glass or as samples to guests.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.