Liquor Licences

Liquor Licences are issued by the Provincial Government's Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB). The LCLB will not issue new liquor licences or amend existing licences for liquor‑primary establishments such as pubs, bars and nightclubs without local government support. The person wishing to apply for a new licence or to amend an existing licence for an establishment located within the City's jurisdiction should contact the City of Fernie to receive a copy of the City's Municipal Liquor Licence Policy.

The application is reviewed by various City departments prior to staff preparing a recommendation for Council’s consideration (for new liquor primary and permanent changes). Public input is sought when the application is brought forward for consideration during a regular Council meeting. Meeting dates are advertised in the Free Press and on the City’s website well in advance of Council consideration. Once Council passes a resolution to support or not support an application, that resolution is then forwarded to the LCLB so that they may make the final decision.

The City does not charge a fee for reviewing applications, however there is a late penalty charge of $50.00 for submitting applications after the deadline(s). 

Information Needed to Apply for a New Licence

The following information is required when submitting a Liquor Licence application:

  • applicant's name, mailing address, telephone/fax number, email address;
  • licensee name on liquor licence (establishment);
  • type of licence required (liquor-primary or food-primary*);
  • proposed hours of operation;
  • seating capacity;
  • drawing of establishment;
  • proposed activity and entertainment;
  • specific markets being targeted;
  • noise abatement measures undertaken;
  • specifics of staff training; and
  • community impact statement outlining the proposed establishment's potential for positive and negative impacts on the community.

Note* Food Primary licence applications are only reviewed when liquor service is to extend past midnight or for patron participation entertainment.

The deadline to submit a completed application (including all of the above information) is 5 business days in advance of the LCLB submission deadline.

Information Needed to Amend an Existing Licence

All permanent change applications which require public consultation are considered by Council.  Permanent changes include:

  • Liquor-Primary licences: relocation, extension of hours, capacity increase or patio; or
  • Food-Primary: patron participation entertainment or liquor service past midnight.

The following information is required when submitting a permanent or temporary change application:

  • applicant's name, mailing address, telephone/fax number and email address;
  • licensee name (as shown on licence);
  • copy of existing licence (establishment);
  • type of licence (liquor-primary or food-primary);
  • hours of operation;
  • drawing of establishment; and
  • type of change requested (i.e: name changes, change of hours, entertainment endorsement, structural change, increase in seating capacity, etc.).

All temporary change applications are considered by staff. The deadline to submit a completed application (including all of the above information) for a temporary change is 20 business days in advance of the event.

Information Needed for Special Occasion Licence (SOL)

The following information is required when submitting a SOL:

  • copy of the Special Occasion Licence (SOL) endorsed by the RCMP;
  • written consent of the property owner, if event is taking place on private property owned by someone other than the applicant;
  • details of the event including the date, hours of operation, site plan, person capacity, purpose of the event and the name of the non-profit group affiliated with the event;
  • proof of insurance;
  • copy of Facility Use Agreement, if event is to take place on public lands:
  • security plan, if more than 500 people are expected to be in attendance; and
  • policy exemption application, if the event is to extend beyond 10pm for outdoor events or 2am for indoor events.

The deadline to submit a completed application (including all of the above information) is 5 business days in advance of the LCLB submission deadline.