If you are seeking a liquor licence for a permanent establishment in St. Catharines, you must complete the following steps and review the following requirements:
- Apply to the AGCO for a liquor licence.
- Apply for a Zoning Compliance letter from Planning and Building Services if you don't have a building permit for this address. The current fee can be found in the Rates and Fees Guide.
- Complete the City of St. Catharines Liquor Licence Application. The current fee can be found in the Rates and Fees Guide.
- Complete the Municipal Information Form obtained from the AGCO application package.
- Provide drawings which must include the following:
- Site plan, floor plan and intended use, seating plan, occupant load, washroom calculations, all fixed millwork, and non-fixed elements greater than 1.0 square meters (i.e., pool table, arcade games) and/or equipment and exit calculations. Drawings must be legible, dimensioned and to scale.
- If the proposed occupancy load exceeds 30 seats, an architect will be required to be retained to undertake the general design and calculations required.
- If there is a patio, site plan control may be required.
- If there is a previous or current liquor licence on the premises, a copy is to be provided with applications.
- Submit your application fee payment along with your completed City of St. Catharines Liquor Licence Application Form, Municipal Information Form drawings as outlined above, and Zoning / Building compliance letter to Planning and Building Services. At this time you can also confirm and initiate the appropriate permits and approvals along with any associated fees.
- Contact Fire Services (905.688.5600 ext. 4224) and Niagara Region Public Health (905.688.3762) to schedule any inspections in accordance with AGCO requirements. There may be additional fees for inspections.
- Complete all other required AGCO documents and submit them to AGCO.
Temporary outdoor patios
Learn how to apply for temporary outdoor patios for your business if you have existing valid liquor and business licences.
New outdoor patios
Before a request is granted for a liquor licence for your business' new outdoor patio, you must provide to our Planning and Building Services in addition to your application:
- A structural drawing, stamped by a professional engineer, of the patio showing the deck, guard and any screening, if a building permit is required.
- A site plan showing the building, the patio, the parking area, the distance of the patio from the property lines and distance from the nearest residential dwellings.
Our Planning and Building Services staff will:
- Confirm if a site plan application and approval is required
- Coordinate municipal approvals confirming that your establishment meets fire code, building code and public health regulations
- Notify the AGCO once inspections and approvals are completed to the satisfaction of municipal authorities