Under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for administering and issuing Liquor Sales Licences for the Province of Ontario.
Businesses applying to the AGCO for a new liquor sales licence or changes to an existing liquor licence must receive municipal clearance.
Municipal Clearance
Municipal clearance is the documentation the applicant provides to the AGCO to show the property meets the current standards or by-laws. Applicants must submit the below documentation to the AGCO:
- A municipal information form signed by the City's Legislative Services Branch
- An occupancy load confirmation letter from the City's Building Services Department
- An agency letter of approval from Barrie Fire and Emergency Service
- A compliance letter from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
The applicant is responsible for obtaining this letter of approval from the local health unit; the City does not facilitate this process.
As part of the review process, a memorandum will be placed on the Circulation List regarding the review of the Liquor Sales Licence Application for Council and public notification. The process also includes Building and Fire inspections.
Avoid Delays in the Process
Below are tips/considerations to help avoid delays in the liquor sales licence application process.
How to Apply
1. Complete the required forms
- Municipal Information Form
- Liquor Sales Licence Questionnaire
- Building: Occupant Load Confirmation Request
If you do not require a building permit, please include a floor plan drawing with your request - Barrie Fire: Request for Agency Letter of Approval
2. Submit the Forms & Applicable Payment
Bring your completed forms to Service Barrie, located on first floor of City Hall, 70 Collier Street. The below fees, as applicable, are payable when you submit your application:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Liquor Licence Board of Ontario applications for Council clearance, including the commissioning of affidavit | $52 |
| Building Services AGCO Review and Clearance Letter | $204 |
| Fire AGCO Inspection | $208 |
3. Request your Inspection(s)
Once you submit your application to Service Barrie, you can request the applicable inspections.
Once all inspections are completed and approved, the City's Legislative Services Branch will email the completed application package to the applicant. The process takes approximately two weeks; however, there may be delays for non-compliance with the City's requirements. Once you receive the completed application package from the City, you must upload the documentation to AGCO’s online portal.