Determine What Additional Approvals You'll Need
Local government approvals
You will need to talk to your local government about its sign bylaws, as well as any other zoning and building restrictions, and how to obtain a business licence.
You must also ask the local fire and building authorities - your local government can tell you who exactly you need to talk to - to review your proposed floor plans both for safety and to provide you with an "occupant load" calculation. The occupant load must equal the person capacity you have proposed in your application (the number of patrons and staff you plan to accommodate in your establishment). They will write the occupant load for your establishment on your plans (a separate occupant-load certificate is not sufficient). Include a 8 1/2 x 11 inch copy of the approved floor plans either with your application.
In addition, if you want to serve liquor open after midnight or offer patron-participation entertainment (such as dine and dance or karaoke) until midnight, you will need to ask your local government for a resolution supporting your application.
Serving It Right
If you have not done so already, you and your manager(s) and anyone who may be left in charge will need to complete the Serving It Right course before you receive your licence.
Please include your Serving It Right certificate number with your application. If you are applying as a corporation, you should include the certificate number of any director, officer or employee responsible for controlling the sale of liquor.
If you have a restaurant lounge, any servers you hire (wait staff and bartenders) must have a Serving It Right certificate.
Business Number
You must have a Canada Revenue Agency issued Business Number (BN) in place before we can issue you a liquor licence. This is the first 9-digits of your 15 digit GST/HST registration number.
If you don’t have a GST/HST registration number, you can apply for one through the Canada Revenue Agency. Alternatively, you can obtain one online through the British Columbia OneStop Business Registry.
