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Ministry of Housing and Social Development


Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB)

If You Have A Liquor Licence

Your liquor licence is a valuable asset. When you received your licence from the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, you accepted the legal responsibilities that come with it - including the responsibility to know and follow all the terms and conditions of your licence, and to apply to us (and receive our approval) before you make any significant changes to the way you operate your business.

Licence Terms and Conditions
Separate guides are available for each licence class that describe the terms and conditions – or rules – that anyone who has a liquor licence in B.C. must follow. The guide you received with your licence (or a later update) explains the terms and conditions in detail including information that is specific to your type of licence, managing your business including buying, selling and serving liquor, controlling your establishment, inspections and enforcement. The latest versions of the guides are also available here.


Making Changes to My Licence
If you want to make any changes to your business once we have issued your licence – increasing your hours or seating capacity, for example – you will need to receive prior approval from the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch. Depending on the type of licence you have and the type of change you are seeking, you may need to ask your local government/First Nations for a resolution commenting on the change. This section lists common types of changes you may wish to make to your business and whether you need local government input.


Renewing Your Licence
Once you have a liquor licence, you must renew it each year and pay an annual licence fee. You may renew your licence manually or online, and we believe you will find the online process faster and more convenient.


Selling Your Business and Transferring Your Licence
The proposed new owner must apply to transfer your licence to their name using the appropriate liquor licence application form. The application form required depends on the type of licence you hold.