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.
About the Provincal Sales Tax (PST)
All B.C. restaurants are required to charge PST on the liquor they serve, which means you will have to apply for registration as a vendor with the Consumer Taxation Branch. You must have your registration certificate in place before we can issue you a food-primary licence. See the Consumer Taxation Branch website for information about the PST and the registration process.
