Apply for or make permanent changes to an existing liquor primary licence

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  Application requirements

  Include the following:

  • Your completed application PDF file (136 KB)
  • Complete your LCRB Liquor Primary Licence Application form online External website, opens in new tab. The Province will notify us once your application has been submitted. 
  • A letter describing the rationale for your request, management experience, proposed theme or entertainment within the establishment, level and type of food service, hours of operation
  • The floor plan showing all tables and seating, as well as outdoor seating, smoking areas, and all floor area dimensions and calculations
  • Proof that you have a secured vested interest in the property
  • If you are proposing a new building or exterior alterations to an existing building, include front elevation rendering

  Fees

  The application processing fee range:

  • From $1,095 base fee to a maximum $5,914

Application process

Review fees PDF file (417 KB)

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  Step 1: Application review and report preparation

  We will review the specifics of your proposal and determine the required level of public consultation.

  Your application will be circulated to relevant staff departments for comments.

  A Council report will typically be prepared at the end of this processing step for the following applications:

  • Motor vessels not requesting dockside service
  • Very minor amendments to an existing Liquor Primary liquor licence
  • Motor vessels requesting dockside service in areas where there are little or no residential uses in close proximity
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  Step 2: Neighbourhood flyer notification

  Note All applications, except those noted in Step 1, will require neighbourhood notification.

  At the end of this step in the process, a Council report will typically be prepared for the Liquor Primary liquor licence applications: small hotel lounges; amendments to existing licences and some types of new establishments in areas of the city where there are little or no residential uses in close proximity.

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  Step 3: Public meeting

  A public meeting will normally be recommended for all new Liquor Primary liquor licence applications or major amendments to existing liquor licences in close proximity to residential uses and/or which may have a negative impact on adjacent businesses. New Restaurant Class-2 businesses in close proximity to residential uses may also require a public meeting.

  At the end of this step, a final decision would be reached by Council on nearly all applications. Applications for establishments in designated entertainment areas, industrial areas, the core area of the Central Business District (CBD), areas with little adjacent residential development, or for a conversion of an existing liquor licence to a licence that will have a lesser impact (for example reduced hours, elimination of outdoor seating, etc.) would not normally be subject to the telephone survey requirement.

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  Step 4: Telephone survey

  We expect that most applications required to conduct a telephone survey will be as a result of a Council decision. We will revise the report to Council to incorporate findings of the telephone survey.

  Note  All application processing for liquor licence categories not specifically noted here would be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Typical processing time for most applications is approximately three months, but may vary depending upon the nature of the application.

  Applications not complying with Council policy or LCRB policy will delay processing and may not be brought to Council until the policy issues have been resolved.

Public consultation

We encourage you to liaise with area residents and business operators before submitting your formal application to let them know of a possible application to eliminate the public's surprise once we conduct the official neighbourhood public consultation.

The Chief Licence Inspector determines the level of public consultation. Processing fees are based on the degree of public consultation required for each application.

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  Stage 1: Site sign

  The site sign must conform to size, shape, and lettering requirements. Specific wording and content for the sign is provided by the Licence Coordinator. All applications require a site sign unless indicated otherwise by the Licence Coordinator.

  Size

  Standard size is 4' × 8'. All variations must be approved by the License Coordinator.

  Lettering

  Lettering is to be black Arial on a white background.

  Installation

  Signs must be:

  • Placed on the ground, supported only by posts or poles
  • Installed in a sound, workmanlike manner, capable of withstanding wind and weather
  • Comply with the requirements of the Building Bylaw and Sign Bylaw

  Location

  Signs must be:

  • Clearly read from streets or lanes, and be clear of all site obstructions
  • Located within the site, approximately but not closer than 10'0" from any property line
  • No more than 16'0" high (sign top)

  Site plan

  The outline of the premises, as provided in the application, must be outlined in red, including:

  • A north arrow
  • Property and building dimensions
  • Adjoining properties (with the addresses)
  • Adjacent street names
  • The location of the sign, denoted on the plan with a reference to it stating: "You are here"

  Notification of installation

  You or your agent must advise the Chief License Inspector or License Coordinator when the sign has been installed on the site.

  The City's notification letter to surrounding residents and businesses (when required), advising them of your application will not be sent until written confirmation and a photograph of the sign on the site after installation has been received.

  Removal of signs

  Signs must remain in place until Council has given a decision on the application, and must be removed no later than 7 days after the decision.

  Download site sign requirements PDF file (73 KB)

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  Stage 2: Neighbourhood notification

  The City will prepare and circulate a notification flyer to surrounding residents and businesses located within a minimum radius 2 blocks (or approximately 200 metres), of the existing or proposed establishment.

  The Notice of Application encourages all recipients to provide comments within three weeks from the date of the notice. Notices are circulated only after the Licence Coordinator has received confirmation that the site sign is installed.

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  Stage 3: Public meeting

  The City will schedule and advertise a public meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to:

  • Provide a forum to present a preliminary staff position on the proposal and an objective assessment of potential impacts of the proposal to area residents and business operators.
  • Give the applicant an opportunity to provide further clarification on the nature of the proposal.
  • Provide residents and local businesses an opportunity to voice their concerns and ask questions of both staff and applicant.

  We will normally schedule the public meeting in the last week of the neighbourhood flyer notification period or shortly after. Attendance at the meeting will be recorded and each attendee will be asked to indicate their support or opposition to the proposal. Verbatim minutes of the meeting are not recorded.

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  Stage 4: Telephone survey

  In cases where there appears to be considerable negative feedback or a clear split in support for and against the proposal within the neighbourhood, the City recommends a telephone survey.

  The actual cost of the telephone survey, determined through a bid process, is in addition to the processing fee of $1,094 and is estimated at approximately $5,219. The telephone survey cost must be paid to the City by the applicant. The City then reimburses the firm chosen to conduct the survey.

  A bid request to conduct the telephone survey is submitted to approve pre-qualified vendors by the City Purchasing Department. The lowest bidder is awarded the contract. The City specifies the following:

  • Area from which the sample is to be taken
  • Required number of completed calls
  • Required level of sample accuracy
  • Times during which phone calls can be made
  • Languages in which the interviews will be conducted
  • Script and questions and all other information that may be required.

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  Council reports

  The Chief Licence Inspector will prepare a report to Council which will include comments from the following departments: Police, Fire Prevention, Development Services and Social Development (including Central Area Planning, Heritage Planning and Cultural Planning when applicable). The Chief Licence Inspector will recommend to endorse or not endorse, or put forward for consideration to Council a report including the following information:

  • The results of all public consultation(s) and a summary of public concerns and/or support
  • An analysis of your application with respect to existing Council policy, LCRB policy, your history/background, and all issues concerning the proposed location. We will also provide, when applicable, an objective pros and cons analysis of your application

  All respondents providing their full name and address as part of the public consultation will be notified before the report is presented to Council. The Council report will be presented at the first available meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment, subject to the City Clerk's Office report deadlines.

  The Council decision is forwarded by the City Clerk's Office to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. A motion to defer a decision pending results of further public consultation will progress the application to the next step in the Public Consultation Process.

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