Apply for a Food Primary patio or structural change

Apply for a new patio or structural change for a Food Primary licence

Before you start

As a Food Primary licensee, you can apply

  • To make an indoor structural change
  • For a new outdoor patio

You must have a Business BCeID to apply online in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal. Review and confirm your account information on the Account Profile page.

Patio and structural change applications can take up to 10 months to get approved. Processing times are approximate and may vary.

Structural change or patio application fee: $440

Overview

Structural change

If you are planning to renovate your establishment, you may need approval before you begin construction. Changes to hours of liquor service and capacity are considered for structural change applications.

A local government or First Nation may have their own bylaws and permits for structural changes in their jurisdiction. You are responsible for confirming that the change complies with local rules before applying. 

The following structural changes need an application for approval: 

  • Construction of a new building
  • Adding or removing a service area 
  • Changing the size of a service area 
  • A change in the position of exterior entry/exit points of a service area
  • The removal or expansion of an existing patio
  • A change to capacity (occupant load) of a licensed establishment 
  • Any other construction or changes that may affect the licensee's ability to control and supervise patrons

Examples of changes that do not need approval are: 

  • Cosmetic changes (i.e. changing the flooring, paint, countertops, and rearranging moveable furniture).
  • Adding or changing the position or height of a wall, partial height divider (pony wall), or fixed planters that do not change the size or location of a service area
  • Changes to the position of interior entry\exit points of a service area 
  • Adding or removing permanent display cabinets, booth seating, stages or dance floors
  • Construction that only impacts the patron routing or line of sight between a staff control point and the service area, with no impact to your ability to control patrons

Patio

Liquor service on a patio may impact businesses and residents in the neighborhood of the establishment. Hours of liquor service, capacity, and entertainment are considered for patio applications.

A local government or First Nation may have their own bylaws and permits for patios in their jurisdiction. You are responsible for confirming that the patio application complies with local rules before applying. 

Licensees with seasonal patios must apply for a new outdoor patio to operate the service area permanently. You can include the months the patio is operational when submitting the application.

Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA) 

If you are operating an indoor service area under a TESA, you must apply for a structural change as soon as possible. If the LCRB approves your structural change, you can continue operating the service area permanently after TESAs expire on December 31, 2024. 

If you are operating a patio under a TESA, you need to apply for a new outdoor patio as soon as possible. If your patio application is approved, you can continue operating the patio permanently after the expiry date. 

Change

Apply online for an indoor structural change or outdoor patio

Make a structural change

A structural change application is required if you are planning a structural change that impacts the:

  • Capacity
  • Occupancy load
  • Size of the liquor service area

Indoor Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA)

Submit a structural change application to make your indoor TESA permanent. 

Application fee: $440

Apply online

Add a new outdoor patio

You can apply to add a new outdoor patio to your establishment. 

Application fee: $440. 

Outdoor Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA)

Not all TESA patios will be able to operate permanently. Before you apply and pay the fee, work with your local government and authorities to make sure the patio complies with all local permits, bylaws and requirements.

Apply online

Before the application is submitted, you need: 

Contact information

Contact our client support team

In Victoria Office
250-952-5787
In Canada Toll Free
1-866-209-2111
Liquor licences
LCRBLiquor@gov.bc.ca