When is a permit required

Special Occasion Permits

Special Occasion Permits are for occasional special events only and not for private profit.  If you intend to serve liquor for private profit, you must obtain a liquor license.  A permit may be revoked before the event if the Registrar has reason to believe the event is being used for personal gain.

What event requires the necessity of applying for a Special Occasion Permit?

A Special Occasion Permit is needed any time liquor is sold or served anywhere other than in a licensed establishment, a private place (an indoor area usually not open to the public and not open to the public during the event; for example an office or residence).  The event must qualify for a Special Occasion Permit under the criteria set out in the "Application for a Special Occasion Permit".

What kind of event qualifies as a Special Occasion or Special Event?

Special Occasion Permits are for special events, such as weddings, receptions, charitable fundraisers, community festivals and auctions.  Permits are intended for occasional use only, not for ongoing profit-making purposes.

The need for a permit depends on where your event will be held and whether you plan to sell the alcohol or give it to your guests free of charge.  The following are common examples:

• If you use a residence, you do not need a permit.  It is illegal to sell alcohol in a residence
• If you use a banquet hall or community center, you must have a permit whether the alcohol is free or for sale
• If a resident of a condominium or apartment building uses the common room for a private event, and alcohol is for sale, he or she must have a permit.
• If the common room of a condominium or apartment building is rented to the public, those renting it must have a permit whether the alcohol is free or for sale
• If the event is held in a private office or boardroom, a permit is needed only if the alcohol is for sale
• If your event is outdoors, for example, on a vacant lot or in a public park, you must have a permit whether the alcohol is free or for sale

You do not need a Special Occasion Permit if:

1. you are serving beverage alcohol in a private residence.
2. you are serving beverage alcohol in a private facility under the following conditions:
   • the beverage alcohol will be served, but not sold, and
   • the event will be held indoors, and
   • the location of the event is not usually open to the public
   • and will not be open to the public at the time of the event
3. your food and beverage alcohol are catered by the holder of a liquor license, whose license is authorized by the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) with a "caterer's endorsement".

What does a Special Occasion Permit require me to do?

A Special Occasion Permit requires the holder to purchase wine, beer and spirits under the permit from the LCBO, The Beer Store or Ontario wineries / breweries.  The permit holder must bring the wine, beer and spirits to the location where the event is to be held.

There are three classes of Special Occasion Permits available:

1. Sale:  A Sale special occasion permit is issued when money is collected directly for beverage alcohol through an admission charge to the event, when tickets for beverage alcohol are sold to people attending the event, or when there is any pre-collection of money for the beverage alcohol.
    
2. No Sale:  A No Sale special occasion permit is issued when beverage alcohol is served without charge or when there is no money collected for beverage alcohol – either directly or indirectly – from guests.
    
3. Auctions:  An Auction permit allows beverage alcohol to be auctioned.  Applicants must be a registered charity, an executor of an estate, or a Sheriff in the conduct of duty.  Auctioned beverage alcohol cannot be served or consumed on the event premises.

Full details are available on the AGCO Website: www.agco.on.ca.

What are my responsibilities when I apply for a Special Occasion Permit?

When you apply for a Special Occasion Permit, you agree to be held responsible for the safety and sobriety of people attending the event as well as compliance with the Act and Regulations.

You are also responsible for abiding by the laws governing beverage alcohol sale and service in Ontario.

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