Liquor license checklist
Please follow the steps below in order to obtain a Special Occasion License. Please note that timelines are sensitive, and you will need to allow as much time as possible before your event to have your paperwork processed by the proper authorities and your license issued.
Note about hard liquor: A public event serving hard liquor requires an exemption letter from Victoria. This may take two to three weeks to obtain. You are advised to begin the application as early as possible.
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Obtain Serving it Right certification
- The organizer, as well as all managers and paid servers, must have Serving It Right certification.
- This is available by completing an online training course and exam (certificates with an "S" certification obtained before June 2007 are not sufficient for an organizer of an event)
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Complete sections 1 and 2 of the Request Form
- Fill out sections 1 and 2 of the Request for University Permission to Hold a Function Where Alcohol Will Be Served (432KB PDF) ("Request Form").
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Complete sections 3 and 4 of the Request Form
- Submit the Request Form to the appropriate signing authority.
- Please note that in some cases it is necessary to obtain the approval of two signing authorities. The signing authority may impose additional conditions before granting permission to hold your event. If this is the case, the signing authority will detail these additional conditions in writing.
- Submit the Request Form to Scheduling Services at least 20 days before the date of the event.
- If your event will have 100+ attendees, submit your Safety and Emergency Response Plan along with your Special Occasion License to Scheduling Services.
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Safety and Emergency Response Plan (508KB PDF)
- Request forms may be picked up from Scheduling Services the next business day after 10:00 am. In some instances, additional time is required to process an application. You will be notified if this is the case.
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Submit the following to the RCMP detachment at 2990 Wesbrook Mall at least 18 days before the event:
- A completed Request Form
- A copy of your Serving it Right certificate
- Photo ID (you must be a permanent resident of BC)
- A completed Application for a Special Occasion License ("Application"). The Application is available at the RCMP detachment or at any BC Liquor Store
- An event Safety & Emergency Response Plan must be provided to Campus Security, the RCMP, and the Fire Department for licensed events with a capacity of 100 or more patrons.
- A public event serving spirits (hard liquor) also requires an exemption letter from Victoria. To apply for the exemption letter, it could take a minimum of two to three weeks. See the RCMP for more details.
- The RCMP may impose additional conditions before granting permission to hold your event. If this is the case, the RCMP will detail these additional conditions in writing. The RCMP processes applications on a first come, first served basis and cannot guarantee turn-around times.
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Take the signed Application to the Manager of a BC Liquor Store
- The manager will issue you your Special Occasion License.
- The University Liquor Store Branch requires the SOL to be submitted at least 72 hours prior to your event in order to complete their paperwork.
- The Special Occasion License must be on display near the bar area during your event.
