The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates the sale, service and delivery of liquor in licensed establishments and at special events. There are different processes depending upon the type of event and whether it is inside or outside a building, whether it is a municipal facility or in a municipal park.
AGCO: Responsible Service Tip Sheet for Planning Special Events, Concerts or Festivals
Licensed Events on Municipal Property
Events that take place on municipal property must follow the Municipal Alcohol Policy. Event organizers must meet with municipal staff at least two weeks before the event takes place to discuss the policy.
Public events may need to be designated municipally significant in order to apply for a liquor permit. These requests should be submitted 6 to 8 weeks before the event to allow enough time for the Clerk to consider the application and issue a letter to the organizer to submit with their liquor permit application.
Designating Events of Municipal Significance Policy
Designating Event of Municipal Significance Application Form
Special Occasion Permits
A special occasion permit lets you sell alcohol at private or public events. Permit fees are dependent on the type of permit your are applying for.
Private Events
A private event is when your guest list is invite-only, is not publicly advertised and takes place anywhere other than a licensed establishment or private place (for example, a corporate boardroom or a residence). At a private event, you can’t want to make money from the sale of liquor. Learn more.
Public Events
Public events are open to the public. There are many types of public events that need a liquor permit (special occasion permit). These include public events, industry promotional events, tailgate parties and auctions.
Public Events
Public events are open to everyone. With a public event permit, you can advertise, fundraise, or profit from selling liquor.
Learn more.
Industrial Promotional Events
You need a permit to sell alcohol at an industry promotional event. Find information here about how to apply for your industry promotional event permit. Learn more.
Tailgate Parties
Tailgate parties are a lot of fun. But if you plan on selling alcohol at your tailgate event, you need a permit. Find information here about how to apply for your tailgate event permit. Learn more.
Auctions
If you want to sell liquor through an auction and deliver it, you’ll need an auction event permit. Find information here about how to apply for your auction event permit. Learn more.
To apply for a special occasion permit, you will need to access the iAGCO Portal. Contact the AGCO if you need assistance with this.
AGCO Contact Page
Caterer's Endorsement
A caterer's endorsement is an add-on to a liquor sales licence. It allows a licensed establishment to sell and serve liquor at places where their liquor sales licence doesn't apply.
For example: If a business is hired to cater a wedding at a community hall, that business may apply for a caterer's endorsement to bring its liquor sales licence to serve alcohol at the wedding.
If the event has a caterer's endorsement, a special occasion permit is not required. A copy of the caterer's endorsement must be submitted to the municipality if the event is taking place on municipal property.
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