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
- Changes or additions to existing licensed areas
- Temporary extensions
- Special occasion permits
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:
|
| 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 and the Liquor Licence Application Checklist |
| Contact us to for a licensing requirements checklist and the applicable application. Once you receive the documents, complete all forms and/or requirements associated with your application. Use the Licensing Requirements checklist to make sure you are ready to submit your information to the City. |
| 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:
|
Our staff will review and give a clearance signature or ask any further questions.
- Arrange for your Agency Letters of Approval
Arrange for your three Agency Letters of Approval from the Building Department, Fire Department and Halton Region Health Department. More information can be found on your Liquor Licence Application Checklist.
- Submit your completed package to the AGCO
Submit your completed application package to the AGCO.
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:
|
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 Building and Bylaw department by:
|
|
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. |