Liquor Licence

How to submit an application for the sale or service of alcohol at a business or event.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates the sale, service and consumption of alcohol.

To obtain an application for the sale or service of alcohol, contact the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. As part of the completion of your application, you may be required to notify and/or obtain clearance from the Town of Oakville for liquor sales licence, temporary liquor licence extension, and special occasion permit. 

The appropriate notification is required at least 30 days prior to your event.

The Clerk’s department assists applicants by completing the Municipal Information Form as part of the licence application. Staff circulate the information to Council Members and departments to collect comments that may be addressed in a response back to the applicant and the AGCO.

Contact the Clerk's department by phone (905-815-6015) or email townclerk@oakville.ca for further inquiries.

To process your Municipal Information Form (MIF) follow the steps below:

  1. Provide the Municipal Information Form with the top portion completed.
  2. Provide drawings of your establishment - see sample drawing (pdf). They can be hand drawn, but must show the following:
    • Where your business is located – cross streets
    • Where alcohol will be served or consumed – include dimensions of the serving area (floor plan)
  3. If you are serving liquor on a patio – include dimensions and location of the patio
  4. Provide payment of $100, payable by cheque, debit, MasterCard, Visa, American Express (cash will not be accepted).
  5. We will circulate the application to:
    • Town and Regional Councillors of the ward in which the establishment is located;
    • Halton Regional Police; and
    • Various departments within the town
  6. Completed form and letter will be submitted directly to AGCO and a copy will be emailed to you.

The application process could take up to 30 days to complete.

Applicants must contact the following for Agency Letters of Approval required by the AGCO;

Effective January 1, 2023, the Alcohol and Gaming Corporation of Ontario (AGCO) granted the municipalities the authority to consider and approve temporary outdoor extensions of licensed premises for up to eight months in a calendar year. For further information on this policy change, please visit the AGCO website.

To apply for the town's approval to extend your liquor licensed area onto a temporary outdoor extension, please complete the Temporary Liquor Licence Extension application (pdf). Further information requirements and sample drawings (pdf) are outlined on the application form.

The Clerk's department reviews and circulates applications to town staff, Members of Council and other government agencies.

Anyone wishing to use municipal property to operate a patio is required to obtain a permit providing a temporary encroachment on municipal property from the Town of Oakville prior to installation. For further information please visit the Patio Permit page.

To obtain a Special Occasion Permit for the sale and service of alcohol at a special event that is not hosted by a registered charity or not for profit organization. The event must first be designated as municipally significant.

Events seeking this designation must submit a request letter clearly explaining why the event should be considered significant to the community. Upon approval, an official letter from the Town Clerk will be provided confirming that the event is deemed “municipally significant”. 

A $50 fee applies and may be paid by cheque, debit, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. Cash is not accepted. If you prefer to make your payment online, please indicate this in your request and staff will follow up with further instructions. Do not provide credit card details by email.

Notification of special occasion permits for indoor / outdoor public events may be submitted by email to the Town Clerk with the following information:

  • Organization’s full name and complete contact information, including mailing address, telephone number, and email address
  • Event location, include the complete address, facility or park name 
  • Name of the primary contact and complete contact details, including mailing address, telephone number, and email address
  • Date of the event
  • Number of people invited or expected
  • Times when alcohol will be served
  • Food supplier
  • Will a tent be set up? Include tent sizes  
    • A building permit may be required. For further details, visit the Building Permits page
  • Will a stage be installed? Include stage size 
    • A building permit may be required. For further details, visit the Building Permits page
  • Will the area be fenced or roped off? Specify the dimensions of both the designated entrance and exit. 
  • Will there be music, and the source; and
  • Provide a drawing showing the proposed area - sample drawing (pdf)

Applicants are reminded to notify the following agencies as part of the SOP application.

  • Municipal Information Form - $100
  • Special Occasion Permit - $50
  • Temporary Liquor Licence Extension - $50 

Fees payable by cheque, debit, MasterCard, Visa, American Express (cash will not be accepted). If payment is by cheque, please have it be payable to the Town of Oakville

If you prefer to make your payment online, please indicate this at your request and staff will contact you with further instructions. Credit card information will not be accepted over the telephone or by email.

More information

For information on our role as a governing agency, please contact the Clerk's department, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, call 905-815-6015, or send an email to townclerk@oakville.ca.

For further information about liquor licence packages or approvals, please contact the AGCO.

Town Hall

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