Convenience and grocery stores in Ontario may sell alcohol as of September 5, 2024.
To sell alcohol, convenience and grocery stores require a licence from the Alcohol
and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). For more information, please visit the
AGCO website.
To serve or sell alcohol in Toronto, you need a liquor licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). There are different licences, including:
- liquor sales licence, including Tied Houses
- retail store authorizations (excluding convenience and grocery stores)
- temporary licences
- extensions of existing permanent licences (extensions of hours or premises)
- Special Occasion Permits (SOP)
You should start by submitting your application for a liquor licence to the AGCO as the type of liquor licence you apply for will determine the type of documentation the AGCO requires from the City of Toronto to support your application. You will also need to include your AGCO file number and application summary when submitting your request to the City of Toronto.
If you are unsure about the type of licence you require, contact the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario at 416-326-8700 or customer.service@agco.ca.
Notices for private special occasion permits, catering endorsement and industry promotional events can be sent to liquorlicence@toronto.ca.
Special Occasion Permits
A Special Occasion Permit is required any time liquor is offered for sale anywhere other than in a liquor licensed establishment. It is not intended for use for extensions of premises, including outdoor patios.
If you are applying to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for a Special Occasion Permit (SOP), you may need the City’s endorsement for your application (otherwise known as a declaration of municipal significance).
An event should be deemed municipally significant, if, in the opinion of the Councillor for the ward, an event:
- meets the criteria prescribed in the Delegation of Authority for the Endorsement of Liquor Licences, as confirmed by the City Clerk;
- has a positive cultural, social and/or economic impact on the local community;
- is considered to be in the public interest; and
- complies with any other factors a ward councillor considers relevant to their determination.
How to Request the City’s Endorsement
- Submit the following to the City Clerk’s Office by emailing liquorlicence@toronto.ca
- completed application form
- for outdoor events a site or floor plan indicating the area to be temporarily licensed with measurements
- supporting documents (cover letter, promotional materials etc.)
Application Form
Additional Information
- City Council authorized the City Clerk to process endorsements for public events in consultation with the councillor(s) for the areas where an event is taking place.
- Exception: If your event is not a community event or festival, the City Clerk cannot endorse events with outdoor music or activities after 9 PM.
Summary of Endorsement Letters
The City Clerk regularly provides a summary of the letters from the City of Toronto to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) in response to requests to endorse temporary liquor licences. The City Clerk processes these requests and issues a letter to the AGCO on behalf of the City of Toronto. These requests for endorsements are made by event organizers, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), businesses with existing liquor licences, and, members of the public.
Click on the report below to review of summary of the letters issued to the AGCO.
2019 List of Special Occasion Permits
2020 List of Special Occasion Permits
City of Toronto guidance on planning events on public property.
Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Special Occasion Permit Application Guide
Temporary Outdoor Extensions
As of January 1, 2023 the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has implemented new requirements for temporary outdoor extensions (temporary patios).
Establishments with an existing liquor sales or Tied House licence can apply to the City of Toronto to extend their licence to an outdoor patio if the proposed area is less than 10m from the existing licensed area and is operating May through October.
Patios being extended on private property must comply with applicable zoning by-laws.
Applications to extend liquor licences onto temporary patios on sidewalks/boulevards will be considered for community events and festivals, where a street closure is in place.
Applicants should note that this approval is to extend the existing liquor licence into a currently unlicensed area. This is not an approval from the City of Toronto for the use of additional/extended space. Contact your community event or festival organizer to obtain the necessary approval for extended outdoor patio space.
How to request the City’s Endorsement
- submit the following to the City Clerk’s Office, liquorlicence@toronto.ca
- completed application form
- cover letter describing the event if applicable
- site or floor plan/map indicating the area(s) to be temporarily licensed with measurements of the extended area
Application Form
Criteria for the City’s Endorsement
- an event should be deemed municipally significant, if, in the opinion of the ward councillor, an event:
- meets the criteria prescribed in the Delegation of Authority for the Endorsement of Liquor Licences, as confirmed by the City Clerk;
- has a positive cultural, social and/or economic impact on the local community;
- is considered to be in the public interest; and
- complies with any other factors a member considers relevant to their determination.
- the request is related to a larger community event or festival with a street closure; or
- located on private property where they must comply with applicable zoning by-laws
- the extended licensed area is adjacent to (located 10m or less) to the existing licensed establishment
- liquor service is to start no earlier than 9 a.m. and end no later than 2 a.m. on major arterial roads and 11 p.m. on local roads
- Exception: the City Clerk cannot approve applications for the following:
- events with amplified music or sound outdoors after 9 PM, including sound emanating from inside (directly from the establishment, does not apply to music or sound from an outdoor festival)
Larger Events
- Event organizers for larger events can submit applications on behalf of multiple businesses and partners.
- Please contact us for support with your application liquorlicence@toronto.ca.
Temporary Extension of Hours
If you have an existing liquor sales licence and are applying to the AGCO for a temporary extension of hours, you will need an endorsement and a letter of non-objection from the City of Toronto.
How to request the City’s Endorsement
- submit the following to the City Clerk’s Office, liquorlicence@toronto.ca
- completed application form
- letter of support from event partner(s)/sponsor(s)
Application Form
Criteria for the City’s Endorsement
- City Council authorized the City Clerk to process endorsements and letters of non-objection in consultation with the ward councillor(s) for the areas where your event is taking place if it is deemed to be municipally significant.
- an event should be deemed municipally significant, if, in the opinion of the ward councillor, an event:
- meets the criteria prescribed in the Delegation of Authority for the Endorsement of Liquor Licences, as confirmed by the City Clerk;
- has a positive cultural, social and/or economic impact on the local community;
- is considered to be in the public interest; and
- complies with any other factors a member considers relevant to their determination.
- Your event must be one of the following:
- a local live sports game
- a televised nationally- or internationally-recognized sports event in a different time zone
- an arts performance (including multi-event festivals and associated events)
- an event with special live performances throughout serving hours
- Exception: the City Clerk cannot endorse applications for the following:
- serving of alcohol indoors later than 4 AM
- amplified music or sound outdoors after 9 PM, including sound emanating from inside (directly from the establishment, does not apply to music or sound from an outdoor festival)
Larger Events
- Event organizers for larger events can submit applications on behalf of multiple businesses and partners.
- Please contact us for support with your application liquorlicence@toronto.ca.
Summary of Endorsement Letters
The City Clerk regularly provides a summary of the letters from the City of Toronto to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) in response to requests to endorse temporary liquor licences. The City Clerk processes these requests and issues a letter to the AGCO on behalf of the City of Toronto. These requests for endorsements are made by event organizers, business improvement areas (BIAs), businesses with existing liquor licences and members of the public.
Click on the report below to review of summary of the letters issued to the AGCO.
2019 List of Temporary Extensions
Liquor Sales Licence including Tied Houses
Municipal Clearance for a Liquor Sales Licence
As part of the liquor sales licence approval, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario requires the Municipal Information Form to be signed by the City Clerk and municipal clearance/approval letters from Toronto Building, Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Public Health.
When submitting your documentation to the City Clerk’s Office:
- You must include your business licence number from Municipal Licensing and Standards (if applicable) and your AGCO file number
- Your establishment must be ready for inspection within 30 days from the day your application is submitted
- If your application includes an outdoor patio, you must ensure that a building permit has been issued that includes the patio OR that you have obtained a preliminary zoning review for the patio. If you are unsure, call Toronto Building at 416-397-5330
The City Clerk’s Office will:
- Take your payment and complete section 2 of the Municipal Information Form
- Circulate your application and documentation to Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Building and Toronto Public Health for letters of approval/clearance
- Give notice of your application to Toronto Police Services and the Ward Councillor
Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Building and Toronto Public Health will:
- Contact you to arrange an inspection
- Conduct the inspection
- Provide the AGCO with the required approval or denial (compliance letter)
How to Submit your Documentation
Submit the following forms by email to liquorlicence@toronto.ca:
- Completed Municipal Information form provided by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
Municipal Information Form
- Floor plans identifying the proposed area to be licensed (format 8.5″x11″)
- City of Toronto Municipal Liquor Licence Clearance Form
- AGCO Application Summary
Municipal Liquor Licence Clearance Form
- The City Clerk’s Office will schedule you for an in-person appointment at Toronto City Hall
- During the appointment, you will need to pay the administrative and inspection fee of $903.90 (including HST)
- Payment-types accepted: Debit, credit card, money order or certified cheque payable to “Treasurer, City of Toronto”
- Fees are subject to change as per City Council
Additional Resources
Retail Store Authorization
Retail Store Authorization
If you require a licence to operate a retail store that sells alcohol, you must fill and submit the Municipal Information form to the City Clerks Office.
How to Submit your Documentation
Send the following forms by email to liquorlicence@toronto.ca:
- The Municipal Information for a Retail Store Authorization form provided by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
Municipal Information for a Retail Store Authorization Form
- The City Clerk’s Office will schedule you for an in-person appointment at Toronto City Hall
- During the appointment, you will need to pay the administration fee of $125 (HST does not apply)
- Payment-types accepted: Debit, credit card, money order or certified cheque payable to “Treasurer, City of Toronto”
-
- Fees are subject to change as per City Council
