Liquor Sales Licences

A Municipally Significant Event is a one‑time, annual, or infrequently occurring public event with predetermined opening and closing times that:

1. has local, regional, national, or international historical or cultural significance;
2. builds awareness of diverse cultures;
3. promotes social, cultural, or economic development of the City; or,
4. benefits the community at large.

A Public Event Special Occasion Permit (SOP) is required to sell or serve alcohol at special occasions. Public Event SOPs can be issued to registered charities, non-profit organizations whose purpose is to promote charitable, educational, religious or community objectives, or for Municipally Significant Events.

Eligible Events:

Events typically eligible for designation as Municipally Significant Events include, but are not limited to:

1. 1. Community Festivals
   2. Charitable fundraisers;
   3. Arts and cultural events;
   4. Sports events held in otherwise unlicensed venues; and,
   5. Large-scale or signature events that enhance the City’s cultural, economic, or community profile.

Events generally not eligible for designation include:

1. 1. strictly commercial or profit-driven events (e.g., trade shows or vendor exhibitions);
   2. private, invitation-only functions; and,
   3. events lacking demonstrable community benefit.

Applicants for Municipally Significant Events occurring on City properties must comply with all conditions outlined in the City’s Municipal Alcohol Policy and shall only be permitted on properties designated for such use. Before your event can be approved, you must consult with Community Services and any other City staff involved in special event permit requests and follow all applicable event requirements. Municipally Significant Event designation on City property is subject to Community Services approval and all other requirements of ADM 310 Municipal Designation for Special Occasion and Bring-Your-Own Event Permits Policy.

A Bring-Your-Own (BYO) Event - means a public event that is held at an outdoor premises that is at ground level, where the event is held in connection with and in proximity to a professional, semi-professional or post-secondary sporting event, or, has been designated by a municipal council or its delegate as a cultural or community event, and, at which individuals may possess and consume liquor brought to the premises by attendees.

A Bring-Your-Own (BYO) Event Permit is required to hold an event at which attendees aged 19 or older may bring and consume their own alcohol. Events may be “Sale” or “No‑Sale” as determined and permitted by the AGCO.

Eligible Events

Events typically eligible for a Cultural or Community Event designation include,
but are not limited to:

1. outdoor movie screenings;
2. street markets;
3. arts and crafts shows;
4. free outdoor concerts;
5. fairs;
6. neighbourhood sports tournaments;
7. public performances (i.e., theatre);
8. farmers markets; and,
9. international or religious festivals.

BYO Events held in connection with and in proximity to a professional, semiprofessional, or postsecondary sporting event may qualify directly under the AGCO’s sports-related BYO category and do not require a Cultural or Community designation from the City.

BYO Events are not permitted on City property in accordance with the City's Municipal Alcohol Policy.

Applicants who wish to request that the City of Pickering deem their event to be of Municipal Significance or of Cultural or Community Significance for the purpose of applying for a Special Occasion Permit (SOP) or Bring-Your-Own (BYO) Permit must submit a completed Application for Municipal Designation Form to clerks@pickering.ca or in person at the Clerk’s Office.

Applicants must attach a legible map showing:

1. area of the entire event;
2. location of the area to be licensed for the sale and service of alcohol;
3. all entry and exits to the event and licensed area;
4. location of all fire connections in the event and licensed area; and,
5. washroom locations.

Application Fees

Before the designation letter can be issued, applicants must pay the $60.00 (+HST) application fee. Payment can be made in person at the Clerk’s Office by credit, debit, or cheque payable to the City of Pickering:

City Clerk
Legislative Services Division
City of Pickering
One The Esplanade
Pickering, ON  L1V 6K7

Based on estimated attendance

Under 5,000 attendees per day: Submit 45 days before the event

5,000 or more attendees per day: Submit 75 days before the event