What We Do: Alcohol

"Special Occasion Permits are for the sale and service of beverage alcohol at special occasions such as weddings, charity fundraisers, receptions etc. Special Occasion Permits are issued through select Liquor Control Board of Ontario ("LCBO") stores throughout the province."

A Special Occasion Permit ("SOP") is required if you are planning to sell or serve liquor at special occasions, such as weddings, charity fundraisers and receptions. SOPs are available for any type of location other than a residence, but common areas of multiple unit residential buildings are not disqualified. It is unnecessary to obtain an SOP if an event is already being conducted under the authority of a caterer´s endorsement.

Special Occasion Permits are issued from select Liquor Control Board of Ontario ("LCBO") stores located throughout the province.

The Registrar of Alcohol and Gaming may impose one or more AGCO-Board approved conditions on a Special Occasion Permit to mitigate identified risks to public safety or the public interest (see Conditions).

A monetary penalty may be assessed against a permit holder by the Registrar of Alcohol and Gaming for breaches of the Liquor Licence Act and regulations (see Schedule of Monetary Penalties).

Liquor Sales Licensed Establishments and SOPs

A Special Occasion Permit may be issued for an event at a licensed establishment. The applicant and the event type would need to meet the legislated criteria, the liquor used for the event would have to be purchased under the authority of the SOP and not from the licence holder, and the conditions applied to the licence of that particular establishment would continue to apply under the SOP.

The holder of a Liquor Sales Licence may apply for an SOP for such events as staff parties, family parties and private receptions, provided the event is not advertised to the general public, limited to invited guests and there is no intention to gain or profit from the event.

An applicant in the process of acquiring a Liquor Sales Licence may also apply for one (1) SOP to host a "grand opening" event while waiting to receive their Liquor Sales Licence.

Private Places

A "private place" is defined as an indoor place to which the public is not ordinarily invited or permitted and is not available for rent to the public for occasional use, but does not include a residence. A company´s private boardroom is an example of a "private place".

An SOP is not required for a function at a "private place" if there is no sale of alcohol and the event is held only for invited guests.

However, if liquor is being sold in a "private place", an SOP is always required unless the event is already being held under the authority a caterer´s endorsement.

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. A levy fee is also charged when you purchase your products at liquor, beer or wine stores because you are reselling the beverage alcohol at the event. Sale Permit fee is $75.00 per day.
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. No Sale Permit fee is $25.00 per day.
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. Auction Permit fee is $75.00 per day.

Application Process

Permit applications must be submitted to a LCBO permit issuing store 30 days before the event takes place except for indoor reception events which require only 10 days notice.

As of June 1, 2011, for outdoor events, the permit holder must at least 30 days prior to the event, write to the local municipality, police, and fire and health departments informing them of the event. The building department must be notified as well if a tent or marquee is used.

After August 2, 2011, an applicant for a Public Event SOP must provide 30 days notice to the AGCO and local municipality (including clerk, police, fire and health departments) for events where fewer than 5,000 people are expected to attend, and 60 days notice to the AGCO and local municipality (including clerk, police, fire and health departments) for events where 5,000 or more people are expected to attend.

The licensed area must be clearly defined and separated from the unlicensed area by a 36" (0.9 metres) high separation.

Once a Special Occasion Permit is issued, all liquor for the event must be purchased with the SOP at the LCBO, The Beer Store or any Winery, Brewery or Distillery Store. One exception is the service of homemade wine or beer for religious events (see FAQs - Question 10).

Manufacturers are permitted to donate liquor only to eligible charitable organizations holding a Public Event SOP. All liquor donated must be processed as a regular retail sale under the permit number and a receipt must be retained by the permit holder and be available at the event. For more information regarding donating liquor products, contact the AGCO at 416-326-8700 or toll free 1-800-522-2876.

Permit holders must keep the permit and receipts of all liquor purchases at the event and produce them for inspection, if asked.

For more detailed information about Special Occasion Permits, download our Application for a Special Occasion Permit and Instruction Sheet (PDF available below).

You can download the special occasion permit application located below or obtain a form from any LCBO store. The completed application, with appropriate  alcohol licensing fees , may be hand-delivered to a designated LCBO permit issuing store (see link below) in the municipality where the special event will be held.

PDF Instructions

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Application Forms