Exceptions to Liquor Primary distancing and moratoria

Steps to increasing the occupancy of your business

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  Step 1: Review application requirements

  Email [email protected]:

  • Your completed liquor licence application PDF file (116 KB)
  • A letter of intent describing, in detail, the proposed change to your licence
  • A drawing that shows the floor plan with occupant load. Plans must show all service areas, all structural features and fixtures, such as furnishings, equipment, tables and seating layouts, and all floor area dimensions and calculations
  • Copy of liquor licence
  • Letter of authorization for representative (if applicable)

  Note We will notify you in writing once we have received all the required application documentation and will let you know the next steps in the process.

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  Step 2: Staff reviews your application 

  Interdepartmental review

  Your application will be circulated to relevant staff departments for comments to look at neighbourhood fit. These groups include Planning, Vancouver Police Department, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, Development Services, and Building Review.

  When we may not support your application

  We may not support your application if there are any violations documented, and we have verified complaints about the operation of the establishment.

  Consideration for support may be given if the business has taken extraordinary measures to resolve the issues of the complaint.

  Once a preliminary review of your application is completed, we will notify you of your next steps, which will include additional reviews.

  Development, building, and occupancy permit review

  If you are renovating your building to accommodate occupant load increases, the standard building permit application process, and processing times apply. 

  This review may include:

  • Structural capacity
  • Washroom capacity
  • A new or minor amendment to development permit if required
  • An occupancy permit if there are:
    • Any new space created
    • A major renovation
    • A change to the proposed use of the space

  Contact the Development and Building Services Centre for permit requirements.

  Fire occupant load permit review

  Apply for a Maximum Occupant Load Calculation (stamped floor plan), which is a condition for approval of a Provincial liquor licence.

  You will be required to submit a drawing that shows the floor plan with occupant load. Plans must show:

  • All service areas
  • All structural features and fixtures, such as furnishings, equipment, tables and seating layouts, and all floor area dimensions and calculations

  Contact Fire Prevention

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  Step 3: Public consulted

  We will review the specifics of your proposal, including the feedback received from internal City departments, to determine whether to opt-in or opt-out of providing comment to the Province.

  When we opt-out of providing comments to the Province

  The Province will gather the view of residents and will lead the public notification process. We will notify you if the decision is to opt-out of providing comment to the Province.

  When we opt-in of providing comments to the Province

  We will gather the view of residents through a site sign notification to determine if it would be in the public interest to approve the application. We will notify you if the decision is to opt-in of providing comment to the Province.

  For opt-ins, you will be required to complete and email [email protected]:

  • Two photographs of a site sign, notifying the public of the application:
    • A close up photo clearly indicating all the wording
    • A photo displaying the sign’s location on the site

  Note You will be provided specific wording and content for the site sign.

  The sign must:

  • Be posted and clearly visible to the public from the street outside the licensed establishment for 14 days
  • Conform to size, shape, and lettering as indicated on the site sign requirements PDF file (75 KB)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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  Step 4: Pay fees

  A. Review fees

  Review schedule B of the Licence By-law PDF file (633 KB)

  B. Pay fees

  Pay fees

  Note An invoice will be emailed to you

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  Step 5: Information reviewed and receive amended licences

  When the Province supports an application and issues an amended liquor licence, the business licence would then be revised and an amended business licence issued.

  A. Receive amended Provincial liquor primary licence

  The LCRB will amend or issue a new liquor licence if they support your application.

  B. Receive amended business licence

  You will be issued an amendment to your existing City of Vancouver business licence if you met the permit requirements and approval from the LCRB.

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