Changes to Special Occasion License Policies

British Columbia's Liquor Control and Licensing Branch recently announced amendments to policies regarding Special Occasion Licenses (SOLs), effective April 1, 2013. 

Amendments to the SOL policy exemption requirements relate to maximum drink prices and the number of consecutive days allowed for community festivals. The SOL prices are being adjusted in order to help offset the impact of the return of the PST as well as overall increased costs faced by community and charitable organizations since the prices were last adjusted in 2004. 

The directive describes the PST requirements for SOLs, the new maximum prices, and the calculation processes used by BC Liquor Distribution Branch to collect appropriate taxes from the sale and service of liquor at SOLs. This policy directive also describes the licensing of community festivals and the number of consecutive days they may run without requiring an exemption.

The combined changes aim to improve customer service, reduce the administrative burden on charities and community groups, and allow LCLB to focus its SOL monitoring efforts on public safety issues and effective licensing of SOL events.  

For all the details, visit http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/lclb/docs-forms/policy-directive-2013-07.pdf.