Provincial

Special event permit (liquor)

Needed to sell or serve alcohol at an event outside a licensed venue; a private party at home needs no permit, but you can’t sell liquor there. The liquor must be bought in BC from an authorised store or maker, drink prices are capped unless the event raises money for charity, and events on public land need that government’s written permission. Servers need Special Event Server training or Serving It Right at any size of event; the permit holder and managers need Serving It Right if 500 or more people attend.

Who issues it
Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch
Cost
$100 per day and location for a public event; $25 for a private one.
How long
Apply 4 to 6 weeks ahead; events that don’t need police or LCRB review are approved automatically.
Forms and pages

Do you need it?

You need it if

  • You sell or serve alcohol at an event outside a licensed venue.

You don’t need it if

  • It’s a private party at home where nothing is sold.
Where this comes from

Sources

How to get it

  1. 1

    Get permission for public land

    Parks, recreation centres and plazas need the local authority’s written permission; without it the application is denied.

  2. 2

    Apply in Special Event Permits Online

    With a BC Services Card (individuals, non-profits) or BCeID (companies). Have the venue’s Occupant loadThe most people a room or building may hold, worked out from its size and exits under the building code. It limits how many people you can seat, decides some fire-safety requirements, and must be posted once it is over 60.All terms in the glossary and keep a site plan of the service area for the event.

  3. 3

    Pay 4–6 weeks ahead

    $100 a day per location for a public event, $25 for a private one; not refunded if you cancel. Events that need no police or LCRB review are approved automatically.

Where this comes from

Sources

Once you have it

  • Servers need Special Event Server or Serving It Right training before the event.
Where this comes from

Sources

What comes next

Serving It RightProvince of BC (Responsible Service BC)

Which businesses need it

Breweries, wineries, cideries & distilleriesFor eventsFestival, event & fundraiser foodOnly if you serve alcohol

The rules behind this page

Last checked 5 November 2026. We check this guide regularly against Island Health, provincial and municipal sources, but regulations and laws change often and we can’t guarantee it is complete or current. Confirm with Island Health and your municipality before you apply, build or sell.

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