Liquor Licensing

What is the Process for Applying for a Liquor Licence?

Liquor Licences are issued by the provincial government's Liquor Control and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB).

Here is information regarding How to Access the LCRB Online Licensing Portal. 

Liquor Licence Review Policy

Where the City of Nanaimo receives notice of an application from the LCRB under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, the City of Nanaimo Liquor Licence Review Policy will be followed.

City of Nanaimo Fees

If the LCRB determines that a City of Nanaimo review of your liquor licence application is required, the following fees are applicable:

What are the Different Types of Liquor Licences that are Referred to the City of Nanaimo by the LCRB?

1. New Liquor Primary Licence

If you are applying for a new liquor-primary licence or to relocate an existing liquor-primary licence, visit : LCRB - Apply for a liquor-primary licence.

2. Permanent Change (Amendment) to an Existing Liquor-Primary Licence

If you are applying to amend an existing liquor-primary licence by increasing your hours of service (earlier or later), increasing your occupant load, or adding a patio area, visit: LCRB - Amend a liquor licence.

3. Temporary Change to an Existing Liquor Licence

If you are temporarily amending your existing liquor licence for a special event, visit: LCRB - Temporary Change to a Liquor Licence.

4. Permanent Change to an Existing Food-Primary Licence 

a. Patron Participation Endorsement

b. Temporary Use Area Endorsement

c. Change of Hours

If you have an existing food-primary (restaurant) licence or are applying for a new food-primary liquor licence and wish to serve past midnight and/or allow patron participation entertainment (dancing or karaoke), visit: LCRB - Apply for a Food Primary licence.

5. Manufacturers Licence

What if I Want to Open a Liquor or Wine Retail Store in Nanaimo?

Liquor Retail Store Licence

If you wish to have a new Liquor Retail Store, you may need to:

1. Rezone the Property (City of Nanaimo process)
2. Apply for a Licensee Retail Store (LCRB process)

All Liquor Retail Stores within Nanaimo require site specific zoning. If you wish to relocate or add a new liquor store within the City of Nanaimo, a Rezoning Application will most likely be required. When asking to consider Rezoning Application for a Liquor Retail Store, Council considers the following criteria: Licencee Retail Stores (LRS) Rezoning Criteria

Wine Store Licence

If you wish to sell wine, cider, and/or sake within a grocery store or independent wine store, you may need to:

1. Rezone the Property (City of Nanaimo process)
2. Apply for a Wine Store Licence (LCRB process)

When asked to consider a Rezoning Application for wine sales, Council considers the following criteria: Wine Store Rezoning Criteria

Related links

Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) Contact Information
Building Department Occupant Load
Bylaw To Prevent And Prohibit Nuisances And Disturbances
Neilson-Welch Liquor Control Strategy Report (PDF)
Good Neighbour Agreement (PDF)
Bar Watch (PDF)