Liquor licenses
Request for University Permission to Hold an Event Where Alcohol Will Be Served (432KB PDF)
Please also note that any event with attendance of over 100 persons that requires a Special Occasion License must submit a Safety and Emergency Response Plan to and obtain approval from the campus fire department. This approval may add up to five days to your liquor license application process. Please contact joel.kobylka@ubc.ca for more information.
In order to serve alcohol at your event you must:
- read and understand your responsibilities for Holding your event
- follow the Liquor license checklist to obtain a Special Occasion License for your event
A liquor license is required in order to serve alcohol at any event at the University of British Columbia. Some locations on campus have permanent licenses (e.g., the Pit Pub, University Centre).
In order to serve alcohol at any other location, you must obtain a temporary liquor license, called a Special Occasion License (SOL). If you are the organizer of the event, you and your staff are prohibited from consuming alcohol at the event.
Campus Safety Resources (344KB PDF)
Download and print Access & Diversity's Campus Safety Sheet and familiarize yourself with the safety resources available to you and your guests.
Special Occasion Licenses
As organizer of a function you have a legal responsibility to follow all provincial and university rules regarding Special Occasion Licenses and to ensure the safety of all those who attend the event. For more information about your responsibilities, visit Holding your event.
- Familiarize yourself with UBC Policy #13: Serving and Consumption of Alcohol at University Events or on University Premises (139KB PDF)
- Read all of the provincial guidelines governing SOLs - pay particular attention to the Duty of Care information in section 6, paragraph 6.4
- Review the Liquor Control and Licensing Act
Please note that any fines imposed by the BC Liquor Control and Licensing Branch for SOL contraventions at your event will be your responsibility if you are not making an official booking on behalf of a faculty or department.
Penalties for first contraventions as set out in section 48 of the Act include:
- Selling liquor to minors: $7,500 to $10,000
- Minors on licensed premises: $5,000 to $7,500
- Permitting a person to become intoxicated: $5,000 to $7,000
- Permitting more persons than allowed by the occupant load: $5,000 to $7,000
- A failure to take reasonable measures to ensure that the operation of the licensed establishment is not contrary to the public interest and does not disturb persons in the vicinity of the establishment: $7,500 to $10,000
Events with more than 100 attendees
If you are planning an event with more than 100 attendees where liquor will be served, two separate forms must be completed. Please submit the Request Form (above) and a Safety and Emergency Response Plan (below) to the appropriate signing authority at least 20 days prior to the event. If you do not submit your request in time, your license may not be granted in time for your event.
