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Applications, Licences and Permits

HomeApplications, Licences and PermitsLiquor Licences
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Liquor Licences

You must have a provincial liquor licence to sell liquor in any establishment.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is the provincial regulatory agency that approves liquor licence applications. The City of Burlington administers:

  • Liquor sales licences
  • Temporary Liquor Licence Application for Temporary Patios on Private Lands
  • Changes or additions to existing licensed areas
  • Temporary extensions
  • Special occasion permits

Note: Applicants are required to reapply annually.

Applying for a liquor sales licence

A liquor sales licence is required for the on-site sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

How to apply for a liquor sales licence

View the steps below to learn how to apply for a liquor licence with the AGCO.

Complete a provincial application

Get a provincial Application for a Liquor Sales Licence form from the AGCO website or at any LCBO location. Complete the form, including:
  • Your name
  • If you are the sole-proprietor
  • Business name and address
  • Business and personal phone number

Complete a Municipal Information Form

Complete the AGCO's Municipal Information Form.

Register your business

You must register your business before applying for your liquor licence. You will need to send proof of your business registration to the AGCO as part of your application. The business name must be registered through the Ontario Business Registry

Complete all requirements on the Liquor Licence Application Checklist

Contact us for a liquor licensing requirements checklist. Use the checklist to make sure you are ready to submit your information to the City. In addition to the checklist, you will need to submit:
  1. Municipal Information Form (MIF)
  2. Site Plan stamped and sealed by an architect
  3. Interior drawings stamped/sealed by an architect, Engineer or qualified BCIN designer.

Drawings MUST include:

  1. Site plan (scaled and legible)
  2. Floor area and intended use
  3. Occupant load (showing calculations and OBC Reference)
  4. All fixed Millwork (Bars, booths, cabinetry, etc.)
  5. Washrooms
  6. All dimensions (including stages and dance areas)
  7. Steps or stairs (up and/or down)
  8. Entry and exit points
  9. All non-fixed elements greater than 1m2 (such as ATM Machines, pool, tablets, arcade games, etc.).

** Application could be delayed significantly if incomplete drawings are submitted – Please see sample floor plan below **

An image of an example of the drawings required

Submit your documents to City staff

You can submit your completed provincial Application for a Liquor Sales Licence, Municipal Information Form and any other requirements as part of your submission to our By-Law Compliance department by:
  • Mail to City Hall, 426 Brant St., Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6
  • Email to bylaw@burlington.ca 
  • By Mail Drop Off Box - Envelopes can be left in our overnight drop box by the back doors of City Hall located at the Locust St. entrance.

Once you have submitted your documents, City Staff will provide Agency Letters of Approval from the Building Department and Fire Department. The applicant is responsible for submitting Halton Region Health Department clearance as part of their documentation for staff to review.

Once the By-Law Compliance Department has received and reviewed all three Agency Letters of Approval, the City Clerk will officially sign off on the MIF form. Once you receive the signed MIF form you can submit your completed package to the AGCO.

Temporary liquor licences for temporary patios on private lands

Patios on private property will need to get approval from the City of Burlington if they are serving liquor. Owners must fill out a temporary liquor licence application for an extension of an existing licensed area. 

Listed below is the process for a temporary liquor licence for a temporary patio on private land only. The process for getting a temporary liquor licence for a temporary patio on public land is done through the application form on burlington.ca/patios. If your temporary patio will be on both public land and private land, you will not need to apply twice. Please apply using the application form on burlington.ca/patios. This online form will be available in March, 2024.

In accordance with Zoning By-law 2020, as amended, temporary patios are permitted from April 15th to October 31st. To qualify for a temporary patio on private property, you will need to ensure that your proposal:

  • Complies with Zoning By-law 2020.463, as amended.
  • Does not require any building permits. 
  • Does not require site plan approval. 

How to apply for a temporary liquor licence application for temporary patios on private lands

View the steps below to learn how to apply for a temporary liquor licence application for temporary patios of private lands.

 Submit your documents to city staff
 You will need to provide the following information to City staff:
  • A signed application form.
  • A signed letter from the property owner or landlord indicating that you have permission to set up your proposed temporary patio for the upcoming patio season.
  • A copy of your Site Plan for your proposed temporary patio. On your plan, please indicate:
    • The name and location of your business and your proposed temporary patio.
    • The proposed dimensions of your temporary patio in metric units (length, width, and total area).
    • The proposed capacity of your temporary patio.
    • The entrance/exit from your temporary patio

These materials can be provided to the By-Law Compliance department here:

Apply for an outdoor patio

 

 Our staff will review and give a clearance letter or ask any further questions
 
 Submit your clearance letter to the AGCO through the iAGCO online portal
 

Changes or additions to existing licensed areas

If you would like to make changes or additions to your existing licensed areas, we need a completed AGCO application and Municipal Information Form. If you are making changes to buildings or patios and it increases your occupancy, you may need a new liquor sales licence application.

How to apply for changes or additions to existing licensed areas

See the steps below to learn how to make changes or additions to existing licensed areas.

Complete a provincial application

Get and complete the application package from the AGCO website.

Complete a Municipal Information Form

Fill out the AGCO's Municipal Information Form.

Submit your documents to City staff

You can submit your completed provincial Application for a Liquor Sales Licence, Municipal Information Form and any other requirements as part of your submission to our Building and Bylaw department by:
  • Mail to City Hall, 426 Brant St., Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6
  • Email to bylaw@burlington.ca
  • By Mail Drop Off Box - Envelopes can be left in our overnight drop box by the back doors of City Hall located at the Locust St. entrance.
  • Our staff will review and give a clearance signature or ask any further questions.

Temporary liquor licence extension

The area covered by a valid liquor licence may be temporarily extended for a period no longer than 14 days. We must receive your application forms at least 30 days before your event.

How to apply for a temporary extension

View the steps below to learn how to apply for a temporary liquor licence extension.

Complete a provincial application

Get and complete an application form from the AGCO website.

Complete our Temporary Liquor Licence Extension Checklist 

Contact us for a Temporary Liquor Licence Extension Checklist. Review and complete the checklist.

Submit your documents to City staff

You can submit your completed provincial Application for a Liquor Sales Licence, Municipal Information Form and any other requirements as part of your submission to our By-Law Compliance department by:
  • Mail to City Hall, 426 Brant St., Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6
  • Email to bylaw@burlington.ca 
  • By Mail Drop Off Box - Envelopes can be left in our overnight drop box by the back doors of City Hall located at the Locust St. entrance.
 

Our staff will review and give a clearance signature or ask any further questions.

 

Submit your completed package to the AGCO

Submit your completed application package to the AGCO.

Special occasion permit

You must have a special occasion permit to sell or serve liquor at an event in any location other than a licensed establishment, residence or private place. A private place is an indoor location not generally open to the public or not open to the public at the time of the event.

Special occasion permits are intended for occasional use only and are categorized as sale, no sale or auction. Special occasions include:

  • Auctions
  • Charitable fundraisers
  • Community festivals
  • Receptions
  • Weddings

How to apply for a special occasion permit

View the steps below to learn how to apply for a special occasion permit.

Complete a provincial application

Get and complete an application form from the AGCO website or pick up a form at any LCBO location.

Submit your application to the AGCO

Submit your completed application form to the AGCO. You must submit any applications for outdoor events at least 30 days in advance and any applications for indoor events at least 10 days in advance.

Send the City of Burlington your special occasion permit

Notify the City of your special event by sending us your special occasion permit once you have received it. You can send it to us by fax at 905-335-7876 or by email to city@burlington.ca.
Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Building Permits
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    • Business Licences
    • Claims
    • Development Applications
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    • Dog Licences
    • Freedom of Information
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    • Liquor Licences
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    • Parking
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    • Short-Term Accommodations Licence
    • Sign Permits
    • Speak at a Meeting
    • Temporary Outdoor Patios
    • Tournament Applications
    • Tree Permit Application

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