Special Occasion Permits

Before you apply:

You will need to:

What is the deadline for submitting a Special Occasion Permit?

An application for a Special Occasion Permit must be made to the Liquor Licensing Board before the event. The application time is based upon the number of people expected to attend the event:

  • Five days for events with less than 200 people expected to attend;
  • 14 days for events with 200-500 people expected to attend; and
  • 45 days for events with more than 500 people expected to attend.

What kinds of Special Occasion Permits are there?

There are three kinds of Special Occasion Permits (SOP):

Class 1 – Ordinary

A Class 1 permit is intended for events where liquor is given to guests such as a business meet and greet where wine is served or a wedding reception with an open bar. Anyone 19 years of age or older may apply for a Class 1 SOP. There may not be an admission charge for the event and liquor may not be directly or indirectly sold.

There is a permit fee of $50 for all Class 1 Special Occasion Permits.

Class 2 – Resale (Not for Profit)

This class of permit is intended for events where the organizer wants to provide liquor but does not want to give it away. The per-drink limit is intended to offset some of these costs. It is not the purpose of a Class 2 - Resale permit for the Permit Holder to make a profit from the sale of liquor. The Liquor Licensing Board may set the maximum a Permit Holder may charge for liquor. Presently that amount is $3.00 per drink. Anyone 19 years of age or older may apply for a Class 2 - Resale Permit.

There is a permit fee of:

  • $100 for a Class 2 Special Occasion Permit for premises with an occupant load of 150 persons or less; or
  • $150 for a Class 2 Special Occasion Permit for premises with an occupant load of more than 150 persons.

Class 3 - Resale (Fundraising)

Class 3 - Resale Permits are available to organizations only and not to individuals. Organizations that are eligible for a Class 3 permit include:

  • A society incorporated under the Societies Act;
  • A body incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act (non profit);
  • A service club that holds a premises licence; or
  • an unincorporated group of persons that:
  1. has been in existence for a period not less than six months before the date of application,
  2. has an executive elected by its members, and
  3. conducts a community, recreational or cultural activity and does not carry on a trade or business for the pecuniary gain of its members;

After the event, a Class 3 Permit Holder must provide the Liquor Licensing Board with a statement of account, which reflects the profit from liquor sales and the purpose to which it will be used.

There is a permit fee of:

  • $100 for a Class 3 Special Occasion Permit for premises with an occupant load of 150 persons or less; or
  • $150 for a Class 3 Special Occasion Permit for premises with an occupant load of more than 150 persons.