The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for administering the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA), which together with its regulations and the standards and requirements established by the Registrar establish the licensing and regulatory regime for most aspects relating to the sale, service and delivery of liquor in Ontario.
Among its responsibilities in the liquor sector, the AGCO licenses and regulates premises that sell or serve liquor to the public for on-site consumption. This includes premises such as bars, restaurants, lounges and night clubs, although there are no restrictions in the LLCA on the type of business that can apply for a Liquor Sales Licence. Certain types of liquor sales licensees are restricted from offering the takeout or delivery of liquor with food.
There are two classes of Licences to Operate a Liquor Consumption Premises:
This Guide contains detailed information to assist you in applying for a Liquor Sales Licence, including a Tied House, and a Mini Bar Licence.
For further details about your legal responsibilities as a licence holder, refer to the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, its regulations and the standards and requirements established by the Registrar.
Prior to applying for a Liquor Sales Licence, please confirm with your local municipality to ensure that your premises is properly zoned for this purpose.
Most new Liquor Sales Licence applications will require public notice. For example, if you apply to license a premises that has never held a Liquor Sales Licence before, your application will require public notice. Public notice of a Liquor Sales Licence application has two parts:
The application process cannot be completed until both elements of public notice have been given. If the AGCO receives any public objections to the application, these objections must be resolved before the application can proceed any further. You will receive a copy of any objections, including the names of the people who have objected. The AGCO encourages residents and applicants to work out a satisfactory solution for all concerned.
If you are unable to resolve your neighbourhood concerns on your own, the AGCO may schedule a public meeting with you, depending on the nature of the objection(s), and a Deputy Registrar of the AGCO to see if you and the objector(s) are able to come to an agreement to resolve the issues. If the issues cannot be resolved, a public hearing will be scheduled before a member of the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT). LAT is an independent tribunal, part of Tribunals Ontario, and is not part of the AGCO.
If you are not sure whether your application requires public notice, please call AGCO Customer Service at 416-326-8700 or 1-800-522-2876.
The Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor (Interim Standards) require that licensees ensure that the following persons hold a valid certificate demonstrating successful completion of a training course approved by the Board of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO):
Licensees are encouraged to keep a copy of their employees’ certification. AGCO Inspectors may ask a licensee for proof of a staff member’s certification at any time.
For more information, please see the AGCO’s Responsible Liquor Sale, Service and Delivery Training page.
During the application process applicants will be required to identify the type of premises they will be operating. Please see Appendix C for a listing of premises types and descriptions.
Do not misrepresent or omit any material fact(s). Each statement made in your application is subject to verification. It is a serious offence to knowingly provide false information on the forms and on any attachments.
The provision of false, incomplete, or misleading information or the omission of information on the forms or in the documents submitted with your application, or the failure to notify the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario of any material changes to this information which occur after this application is filed, may also result in the refusal, suspension or revocation of your Liquor Sales Licence.
If you require assistance with your application, please contact AGCO Customer Service at 416-326-8700 or 1-800-522-2876.
A Liquor Sales Licence may be issued to allow the sale and service of liquor to the public for on-site consumption.
Only owners of a business can apply for a Liquor Sales Licence. The business does not have to be primarily involved with the sale and service of food or liquor, but must be located in a premises open to the public or private members (such as a social club). Liquor sales licences will not be issued to businesses not registered with the government if they are required to be so.
Individuals who have an ownership interest in the business, who is an officer, director or shareholder of an associated corporation, and managers may be subject to a police and financial background check as part of the application process.
Liquor Sales Licences may also be combined with an Endorsement. Endorsements allow licence holders to sell and serve liquor under specific circumstances (see the Endorsements section in this Guide for more information).
In order to begin processing your application, you must submit the following:
*For complete information, please refer to the Personal and Entity Disclosure Guide
The following items are not required with the initial application, however, we recommend they be submitted as soon as possible to ensure your licence is issued in a timely fashion.
For your convenience, the AGCO provides an Agency Letter of Approval Form for use by the officials. Some agencies may prefer to use their own letterhead. The compliance letters must indicate that your premises meets the current standards or by-laws administered by each agency. These letters must be signed and dated by the appropriate official.
If you are applying to license an outdoor area (patio), the compliance letters submitted from your local fire department, building department and health department must specify that an outdoor area was inspected. If the outdoor area is on municipal property, a Café Boulevard/Encroachment Agreement is required. If the outdoor area is on private property, a letter from the landlord stating the outdoor area is on private property and that permission has been granted for liquor sales licensing is required.
Before a licence can be issued, your premises must undergo a Liquor Sales Licence inspection conducted by an AGCO Inspector. The Inspector will attend your premises to ensure that all proposed licensed areas are eligible for licensing, and that the areas match those listed in your application and shown on your floor plans. Any inconsistencies noted by the Inspector must be corrected. The Inspector will also “walk through” your entire premises to see if there are any other concerns.
During the inspection, the Inspector will also provide resources about the responsible sale, service and delivery of liquor and the major responsibilities of a licensee. The inspection is also an opportunity to address any questions and/or concerns you may have regarding the operation of a licensed premises.
Under risk-based licensing, one or more conditions may be attached to a Liquor Sales Licence by the Registrar to help the licensee minimize risks identified during the assessment process.
A licensee may apply to remove and/or add conditions on their licence if there has been a change in circumstances.
A licence will only be issued to you if the AGCO is satisfied that all requirements have been met and objections (if any) from the public and/or the municipality have been addressed.
Once you receive your licence, it must be posted at your business in a location where it can be easily seen by your customers, AGCO Inspectors and the police.
If you decide to close your licensed business or if you no longer want to sell and serve liquor at your business, you must submit a Voluntary Surrender of Licence application in iAGCO.
All licensed premises are inspected periodically. You are required to provide unobstructed access to your business and you must facilitate inspections. Some violations include:
Committing any of the above or other violations of the Liquor and Control Licence Act, 2019, its regulations and the standards and requirements established by the Registrar can lead to warnings, monetary penalties or a notice of proposal to suspend or revoke your licence from the AGCO.
If you are issued a Notice of Proposal to suspend or revoke your licence, you will have 15 days to request a hearing before LAT.
If you choose not to request a hearing before LAT, the Registrar may carry out the order to suspend or revoke your Liquor Sales Licence, without any further consultation with you. A suspension means that you will not be permitted to sell and serve liquor for a specified amount of time. A revocation means that your premises will no longer be licensed to sell and serve liquor.
If you choose to request a hearing before LAT, they will inform you of the hearing date and location. LAT will render a decision that may include directing the Registrar to carry out the proposal to suspend or revoke your Liquor Sales Licence.
A person who is refused a licence to sell liquor or a renewal of a licence to sell liquor or whose licence is revoked for any grounds other than public interest may not apply to the Registrar for a licence to sell liquor until two years have passed since the refusal or revocation.
Beyond the administrative sanctions imposed by the AGCO or LAT, there may also be instances where you may be held civilly liable for harm caused by someone who was served liquor in your business.
You may wish to contact your legal advisor and your insurance professional to ensure that you have policies and procedures in place to properly address these risks. Staff of the AGCO cannot provide legal advice to you in civil matters.
The number of people permitted in any licensed premises is recorded on the Liquor Sales Licence. You cannot exceed the number of people noted on the licence. Exceeding this number can put the public in danger and is a regulatory violation.
The number of people on the premises must be monitored. Whether you have seating or not, you must monitor the number of people on your premises, as well as the number of people entering and leaving the premises so that you don’t exceed the capacity.
The number of people permitted as stated on the Liquor Sales Licence includes staff in addition to the customers.
All orders for liquor must be served before 2 a.m. (3 a.m. on New Year’s Eve). All signs of liquor must be cleared 45 minutes after the end time on the licence. This includes the clearing of all glasses and bottles from the tables.
See the Hours for Liquor Sale, Service and Delivery page for more information. Some licence holders may have conditions on the Liquor Sales Licence that further limit their hours.
A Tied House means the licensed premises of a liquor sales licensee located at the municipal or property address of a production site, where a manufacturer’s products may be showcased on their own or in conjunction with other brands and types of liquor. All of the requirements for a liquor sales licence are applicable to a tied house, except, the licensee is exempt from the requirement of having to sell a variety of brands.
Liquor sales licensees that meet the requirements set out in regulation can offer the sale of liquor with food for takeout and delivery orders. All types of liquor, including beer, wine, cider and spirits, may be sold for takeout and delivery. The only liquor that licensees may sell is liquor purchased under their liquor sales licence with the exception of beer or wine made at the licensed establishment under a Brew or Wine Pub Endorsement.
Delivery of liquor with food orders must be conducted by the liquor sales licensee, an employee of the liquor sales licensee or under a Liquor Delivery Service licence. Where a third party holding a Liquor Delivery Service licence takes orders and conducts the delivery on behalf of a liquor sales licensee, the two parties must have an arrangement for that purpose. Any individuals involved in the sale, service or delivery of liquor must have completed Smart Serve training.
A licensee may advertise or promote the name of the premises, that there is a Liquor Sales Licence, and general brands or types of liquor available.
It is the responsibility of the licensee to ensure that any advertising falls within the regulations and specific standards and guidelines. Please refer to the Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor for details.
Liquor pricing is the decision of the licensee, however the price of liquor cannot be less than the minimum price as required by regulation and the price must be the same for all patrons.
The following provide the requirements for liquor pricing:
If a licence holder offers for sale a serving of liquor that differs in size from those listed above, the minimum price for that serving shall increase or decrease in direct proportion to the difference in volume of liquor contained in that serving.
The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 requires certain premises, including those where liquor is sold and served, to display a sign that cautions that consuming liquor during pregnancy is the cause of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The warning sign must be in English (and may also be in French), at least 8 by 10 inches in size, and prominently displayed in all locations where liquor is sold and served.
For more information, please see the Warning Sign for Consumption of Liquor During Pregnancy page.
A Mini Bar Licence is a class of licence under the category of Licence to Operate a Liquor Consumption Premises. If liquor will only be sold/served from a mini bar in guest rooms, and not within other areas of your premises (e.g. pub, restaurant) then it is only necessary to apply for a Mini Bar Licence.
Access to the contents of the mini bar must be controlled by the licensee or be restricted by means of a locking device. Access to the contents of the mini bar must be restricted to those persons that are nineteen years of age or older.
Licensees shall retain records of the mini bar sales for one year.
All of the same “Required Documents” as for a Liquor Sales Licence Application (see Section 1: Liquor Sales Licences) must be submitted, however, the Floor Plan, Calculation of Capacity, Municipal Information Form and Agency Letters of Approval (“Compliance Letters”) are not required.
If a licensee has a Liquor Sales Licence for the premises and wants to sell/serve in guest rooms from a mini bar, a Mini Bar Endorsement is required in addition to the Liquor Sales Licence. To apply, please see below, Section 3: Liquor Sales Licence Endorsements “Mini Bar Endorsement”.
Endorsements are add-ons to a Liquor Sales Licence that allow a licensee to sell and serve liquor in certain situations apart from those generally permitted by the licence. A licensee may apply for and hold more than one type of endorsement.
There is no fee for endorsements, with the exception of a Golf Course Endorsement. Endorsements expire at the same time as the licensee’s Liquor Sales Licence.
The holder of a Caterer’s Endorsement may sell and serve liquor at an event held on premises other than the premises to which the liquor sales licence applies. A Special Occasion Permit is not required. The catered event must be sponsored by someone other than the licence holder and not be more than ten (10) days in duration. Liquor cannot be offered for sale at a series of events sponsored by the same person if as a result of doing so, the licence holder is or appears to be operating an ongoing business with the sponsor. Liquor may not be sold at events held in a residence. Liquor not sold during a catered event must be returned to the licence holder’s stock. The licence holder is not permitted to promote or invite persons to attend a catered event where the licence holder is offering liquor for sale. The licence holder is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, its regulations and the standards and requirements established by the Registrar. This includes complying with all health, fire and building regulations.
If the licence holder has given the AGCO prior notice of its intention to cater events held in areas under the exclusive control of the licence holder (i.e. areas listed on the endorsement application), then notification of individual events is not required.
NOTE: AN AREA MAY BE UNDER THE EXCLUSIVE CONTROL OF THE LICENCE HOLDER IF THE LICENCE HOLDER OWNS, RENTS OR LEASES THE AREA.
Download Caterer’s Endorsement – Premises form.
At least ten (10) days before a catered event begins, the licence holder with a Caterer’s Endorsement must provide the AGCO, the local police, fire, health and building departments with details concerning:
Holders of a Brew Pub Endorsement may sell beer they have manufactured at events which are operated under a Caterer’s Endorsement (also see conditions for Brew Pub Endorsements).
The holder of a Room Service Endorsement may sell and serve liquor at a room that is rented as overnight accommodation that is adjacent to the licensed premises.
The holder of a Brew Pub Endorsement may sell and serve beer that is manufactured on the premises by the licensee. The licensee must own and operate both the pub and the manufacturing facilities. The beer must be sold and consumed only in the licensed area, if served for on premises consumption.
Beer manufactured by the holder of a Brew Pub Endorsement shall only be sold, served and consumed in the licensed premises where the draught beer was manufactured and on one premises other than the premises where the beer is manufactured if:
Beer manufactured by the licensee may be sold and consumed in accordance with any caterer’s endorsement attached to the licence containing the brew pub endorsement.
The holder of a Brew Pub Endorsement may offer their beer for takeout and delivery if they meet the requirements set out in regulation. It is the endorsement holder’s responsibility to comply with all federal requirements. For more information, contact your nearest Regional Federal Excise Office.
The holder of a Wine Pub Endorsement may sell and serve wine that is manufactured on the premises by the licensee. The licensee must own and operate both the pub and the manufacturing facilities. The wine must be sold and consumed only in the licensed area, if served for on premise consumption.
Wine produced under a Wine Pub Endorsement may only be sold, served or consumed on the premises to which the licence applies. The holder of a Wine Pub Endorsement may offer their wine for takeout and delivery if they meet the eligibility requirements set out in regulation.
For more information on the testing process, the contact info for LCBO Quality Assurance Laboratory is available on the Key Liquor Industry Contacts page.
Alternatively, you can search for other analytical and testing laboratories that meet the requirements.
The holder of a Mini Bar Endorsement may sell and serve liquor from a dispenser (mini bar) in a room that is rented as overnight accommodation that is adjacent to the licensed premises. The mini bar must be located in the guest room and must be secured with a key, magnetic card or other device that is separate from the room key.
In addition to liquor, the mini bar must also be stocked with non-alcoholic beverages.
Access to the contents of the mini bar must be controlled by the licensee or be restricted by means of a locking device. Access to the contents of the mini bar must be restricted to those persons that are 19 years of age or older.
Licensees shall retain records of the mini bar sales for one year.
The holder of a Golf Course Endorsement may sell and serve liquor to persons on a golf course to consume on the playing area of the golf course. Liquor may be served from mobile vending carts. Non-alcoholic beverages must also be made available.
Any patron who obtained liquor at any licensed area of a golf course is exempted from subsection 42(1) of the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 while driving or having the care or control of a golf cart on the playing area of a golf course.
Please refer to the AGCO’s Fee Schedule for the applicable fee.
A Bring-Your-Own-Wine (BYOW) Endorsement authorizes the holder of a Liquor Sales Licence to permit patrons to bring sealed, unopened bottles of commercially-made wine to a restaurant or banquet room for their own consumption.
The licensee or an employee must open the wine, as would be the case if the patron had purchased the wine from the premises.
“Commercially-made wine” means wine made by a manufacturer but does not include wine made at a Ferment on Premise facility, wine made at a premises with a wine pub endorsement, fortified wine as defined in regulation or homemade wine.
The applicant must hold a valid Liquor Sales Licence to apply for a BYOW Endorsement. All rules, regulations and the standards and requirements established by the Registrar regarding the selling and serving of liquor apply. The licensee may not use this endorsement in combination with a caterer’s endorsement that may be attached to the licence.
If the premises ceases to be a “restaurant” or a “banquet room” it ceases to be eligible for a BYOW endorsement, and must inform the Registrar within ten (10) days of the change. Failure to do so could result in administrative action being taken.
Note: For temporary extension of a Liquor Sales Licence, see Section 5.
An application to the AGCO Registrar is required for the following types of changes:
NOTE: IF THE CHANGE YOU ARE PROPOSING DOES NOT APPEAR IN THE LIST ABOVE, PLEASE CONTACT THE AGCO FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT IS REQUIRED.
An application is not required for the following types of changes:
You may not sell or serve liquor in the additional areas unless your licence is amended to include the proposed changes.
Note: If you wish to remove a licensed area(s) from the existing licence, you must submit an application for “Removal of Existing Licensed Areas” through your iAGCO account within thirty (30) days of the change.
As with a Liquor Sales Licence application, you will be required to provide:
The AGCO will determine, based on the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, whether changes to existing licensed areas or additions that are not currently licensed require public notice. The AGCO will inform you whether your application requires public notice. See the Public Notice section earlier in this Guide for more information.
If you would like to have a permanently licensed tiered seating area in your premises, where the tiered seating is either fixed (e.g. attached) or temporary (e.g. bleachers that are moveable/expandable), you will need to apply to have the tiered seating area permanently licensed.
Unless there is a specific condition, you will not be required to notify the AGCO when using your tiered seating once the area has been licensed.
Licensees may only operate under the name that appears on their Liquor Sales Licence.
The AGCO must be notified if there is a legal name change to an Individual, Entity, or Business/Operating Name via the iAGCO portal.
The business trade (operating) name may have to be registered under the Business Names Act. Also note that corporations must file updated information with respect to officers and directors of a corporation with the Companies and Personal Property Security Branch on a regular basis.
For information and forms, please see the Ontario.ca Central Forms Repository. Forms must be forwarded to the Companies and Personal Property Security Branch for processing.
Important Update: Effective January 1, 2023, the AGCO Registrar no longer accepts applications or has the authority to approve temporary outdoor extensions (temporary patios) for licensees located in municipalities. Licensees in municipalities who are interested in having a temporary patio should contact their municipality and review all applicable requirements. For more information, see the New Framework for Temporary Outdoor Extensions.
If you are a licensee in an unorganized territory or on a First Nations reserve (except in cases where the band council directs the AGCO not to approve these outdoor extensions) and wish to have a temporary patio, please see below for more information on how to apply to the AGCO.
All licensees must continue to apply to the AGCO for any temporary indoor physical extensions. Please see below for more information on the requirements and how to apply.
Licensees holding a valid Liquor Sales Licence in a municipality can apply for a temporary patio with their local municipality and must notify the AGCO of the approval, the duration of the approval and any conditions on the approval.
Licensees holding a valid Liquor Sales Licence in an unorganized territory or on a First Nations reserve (except in cases where the band council directs the AGCO not to approve these outdoor extensions themselves) can apply to the AGCO to temporarily extend their existing licensed premises to an adjacent outdoor area for up to eight months in a calendar year. A licensee can only sell and serve liquor on a temporary patio after obtaining approval from the Registrar of the temporary patio. No licensing fee is required.
The Registrar of the AGCO may approve a temporary outdoor physical extension of the premises of up to eight months in a calendar year, and the extension must be adjacent to the premises to which the liquor sales licence applies or in the case of a boat, a specified portion of a dock to which the boat is attached that is secured or affixed to land, and a specified portion of the land to which the dock is secured or affixed.
Prior to applying to the AGCO for a temporary outdoor extension, it is important to take note of the following:
Licensees holding a valid Liquor Sales Licence may apply to the AGCO to temporarily extend their existing licensed premises to an adjacent indoor area (for a period specified by the Registrar). The Registrar will consider applications on a case-by-case basis.
Prior to applying to the AGCO for a temporary indoor extension, it is important to take note of the following:
The following will be required for your application:
See Appendix B – Calculating the Dimensions of a Proposed Extended Licensed Area.
The Registrar is authorized to extend the hours of sale of liquor at a licensed premise for an event which is of municipal, provincial, national or international significance.
The following must accompany the application:
Note: The event organizer must ensure that all Letters of Confirmation are submitted with the application. If an application for extension of hours is submitted without a Letter of Confirmation from each premises, the application will not be processed.
All Liquor Sales Licences are issued to individuals, business partnerships or corporations, for operation at a specific location. The licensee is responsible for the ongoing operation of the licence.
A transfer of the licence is required if there is a prescribed change of ownership of a business carried on under a licence or if the licensee changes, or if a different person wishes to acquire the licence.
Prescribed Changes in ownership requiring a transfer:
In cases where an individual ceases to be an officer or director of a corporate licensee or a partner ceases to be a partner in a partnership that is a licensee, if the licensee gives the Registrar notice of the change within 30 days after the change occurs, the licensee may continue to engage in activities authorized under the licence without requiring a licence transfer.
A licence to operate a liquor consumption premsies is eligible to be transferred to a different person, provided the regulatory requirements are met.
The Registrar may also transfer a licence to operate a liquor consumption premises for a period of not more than one year, when:
The Registrar may develop a simplified application process for the transfer of a licence to operate a liquor consumption premises in the following circumstances if the principal individuals involved in the licensed business remain the same after the change occurs:
A transfer will not be approved, in most instances, if the current licensee has an outstanding monetary penalty or if the recipient of the transfer would not be eligible to be issued a licence.
The business trade (operating) name may have to be registered under the Business Names Act. Also note that corporations must file updated information with respect to officers and directors of a corporation with the Companies and Personal Property Security Branch on a regular basis. Please see the Ontario.ca Central Forms Repository. Forms must be forwarded to the Companies and Personal Property Security Branch for processing.
A licensee may contract out the operation of the business to another person who is applying to receive the transfer of the licence if regulatory requirements are met. The licensee remains liable under the licence during the period for which the operation of the business has been contracted out.
The ability to contract out the operation of the business expires, on the issuance of the transfer of the licence; on the issuance of a notice of proposal to refuse the transfer; or upon expiry of the licence.
The Authorization to Contract Out must be submitted to the AGCO with the transfer application, and appropriate liquor licensing fee.
Note that a Personal Disclosure for the person who will be responsible for managing the premises must be submitted and processed by the AGCO, before the Authorization to Contract Out becomes effective and the transfer applicant is permitted to sell and serve liquor on the premises.
Make sure to check the expiry date of the licence, and have the licensee renew it (if necessary) to ensure it does not expire during the transfer period.
The following is required, in most instances, to transfer a Liquor Sales Licence:
* For complete information, please refer to the Personal and Entity Disclosure Guide.
The following is required to complete a transfer application, but may be submitted later in the application process:
Note regarding Retail Sales Tax Act and the Liquor Tax Act: If either the current liquor licence holder or the transfer applicant owes money (under the RSTA or LTA) to the Ministry of Finance, the Liquor Sales Licence Transfer Application cannot proceed until this debt has been resolved. Retail Sales Tax Act and Liquor Tax Act clearance is not required for Trustees in Bankruptcy or Court Appointed Receivers applying for a temporary Liquor Sales Licence.
As a courtesy, licensees will receive a renewal reminder sixty (60) days prior to the expiration date of their licence.
You must apply to renew your licence and submit the appropriate fee prior to the expiry date.
If your application and fee(s) are received on or before the expiry date, you will receive a Renewal Confirmation Notice allowing you to operate until you receive your licence.
If your renewal application is not received by the expiry date on your liquor licence, your licence will expire and you can no longer sell or serve liquor. Expired liquor licences cannot be renewed. Keep in mind that you are prohibited under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 from selling/ serving liquor without a valid liquor licence.
Please note that your Liquor Sales Licence renewal will not be processed if your premise owes money to the Ministry of Finance (Retail Sales Tax). It is your responsibility to contact the Ministry of Finance to determine if you owe any money. For contact info, see the Key Liquor Industry Contacts page
Your Liquor Sales Licence renewal application will also not be processed if there has been a change of ownership at the premises that has not been previously reported to the AGCO. If such a change has occurred, you must apply for a Liquor Sales Licence Transfer.
You must surrender the licence back to the Registrar when you stop operating your business, unless you are transferring the Liquor Sales Licence.
To do this, please submit, through iAGCO a Voluntary Surrender of Licence/Authorization. If you do not surrender your licence, a revocation of licence will be noted on your record.
Liquor sales licensed establishments that are closed or are closing temporarily or permanently may transfer open or closed liquor from one licensed establishment to another, where the licence holder of both licensed establishments is the same, or the licence holders of the licensed establishment are affiliates. To do this, one of the licensees must submit an online notification of the liquor transfer through iAGCO at least 30 days before any transfer of liquor.
If a closure is temporary, you should notify the AGCO:
You can apply for and manage any AGCO licence, endorsement or permit, including those described in this guide, online, through the iAGCO portal.
Floor plans must be submitted with new Liquor Sales Licence applications and alteration applications. Proposed licensed areas shown on your floor plans must match the areas listed on your application form.
Floor plan requirements:
Capacity Calculations:
Sample Application Form Chart:
Floor Level |
Exact Location and Description |
Indoors or Outdoors |
Tiered Seating Yes/No |
Estimated capacity |
Basement |
Southwest Section – Dining Area |
Indoors |
Yes No |
58 |
Main Floor |
South Section – Patio |
Outdoors |
Yes No |
33 |
Main Floor |
South Section – Seating Lounge |
Indoors |
Yes No |
80 |
Finally, a defining outside border encompasses all four sections: Kitchen, Standing Bar, Seating Lounge and Patio.
The following is an example of sketch showing the proposed extended area in relation to the existing licensed area(s)
Formula for Maximum Capacity of Extension: Length x Width (metres) divided by 1.11 (metres)
The following are the applicable premise types to select, depending on the corresponding licence being applied for:
*see “Description of Selected Premises Types”
Education Facility - Over 19 Years of Age |
A school or place of learning where the majority of students are over the age of 19, such as a university or college. |
Education Facility - Under 19 Years of Age |
A school or place of learning where the majority of students are under the age of 19, such as an elementary school or high school. |
Gaming Facility |
A place which is kept for the purpose of playing games of chance and which is named on the registration of the registered supplier of the gaming premises. |
General Store |
A store that sells a variety of merchandise, such as groceries and household supplies. |
Night Club |
A licensed premises where dance facilities are provided for patrons. Patron seating is limited and food service is generally an ancillary activity. |
Railway Car |
The stock of a Railway Company that is permanently affixed to the ground and is not used for the transport of passengers. |
Restaurant |
A premises where all the areas within the premises are given over to tables and chairs. The main focus is food service. |
Restaurant (Franchise) |
As Restaurant above, but operated under a franchise agreement. |
Restaurant/Bar (Restobar) |
A premises where the dining area is completely separate from the bar. The dining room is primarily family focused and is the main eating area, while the bar is more suitable for an adult clientele. |
Restaurant/Club (Restoclub/lounge) |
A restaurant that may also operate as a nightclub after certain hours (see Nightclub above). Sometimes called a Lounge. |
Social Club |
These premises are primarily member only clubs such as service clubs, golf clubs and cultural clubs. |
Stadium |
A premises whose seating is in fixed tiers and in which live sporting and entertainment events take place before an audience. |
Theatre |
A place to which the public is invited that is used primarily for the viewing of live productions of the performing arts. |
Train |
The rolling stock of a Railway Company used for the transport of passengers but does not include rolling stock used as a street car, a subway or a similar transit vehicle. |