Section 5: Temporary Extension of a Liquor Sales Licence

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.

How to Apply to the AGCO for a Temporary Physical Outdoor Extension

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:

  • A complete application including any necessary supporting documents must be submitted a minimum of thirty (30) days in advance of when you plan to begin serving or selling liquor on the extension. Otherwise your application may not be processed in time.
  • Should any additional information be required, you will be notified.
  • Any conditions on your Liquor Sales Licence will also apply to the extended area.
  • It is the licence holder’s responsibility to ensure that all requirements of the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, its regulations and the Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor are met.
     

How to Apply to the AGCO for a Temporary Indoor Physical Extension

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:

  • A complete application including any necessary supporting documents must be submitted a minimum of thirty (30) days in advance of when you plan to begin serving or selling liquor on the extension, otherwise your application may not be processed in time.
  • Should any additional information be required, you will be notified.
  • Any conditions on your Liquor Sales Licence will also apply to the extended area.
  • It is the licence holder’s responsibility to ensure that all requirements under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, its regulations and the Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor are met.
  • Licensees must adhere to capacity limits indicated on the Temporary Extension Approval.

Required Documentation

The following will be required for your application:

  • Sketch or Plan
    A well-drawn sketch or plan must clearly show:
    • The exact dimensions of the proposed extended licensed area including any permanent or temporary tiered seating;
    • The exact location of the area in relation to the licensed premises - must be adjacent to the existing licensed premises.

See Appendix B – Calculating the Dimensions of a Proposed Extended Licensed Area.

  • Letter of Approval
    If the proposed extended area is rented or leased, the applicant must provide a letter of approval from the owner or landlord.