Permits & Licences

Event organizers wanting to serve or sell alcohol to be consumed on City property, a liquor license may be obtained depending on the nature and location of the event. In addition, all requirements must be completed and approved in advance of the event date.

Process:

1. If you are planning on serving or selling alcohol, complete the section the event application form.
2. The City of Vernon and RCMP approval required (Authorization granted by the City does not relieve the event organizer from any legal obligations and/or requirements).
3. Applying for a liquor permit through BC Liquor and Cannabis Branch
4. Perimeter fencing - Please describe
   • If liquor service is provided throughout the whole event site, the whole event site must be surrounded by a barrier (Expense to the event organizer).
   • Approval will be required by the City Parks department.
5. Creating a security plan - Please describe
   • General guidelines for licensed areas for alcohol consumption in City parks and sports fields must be enforced.
   • List the hours alcohol is being served and/or sold during each day of your event.
   • What will be served at your event including beer, wine and spirits.
   • Consider ticketed sales area, service area, entrance and exists and security locations.
6. Comprehensive liability insurance with extended coverage to include “Liquor Liability" will be required for the event.
7. A copy of the insurance certificate and the liquor permit is required to be sent to events@vernon.ca, a minimum 14 days in advance of the event.

At Event:

1. Display your liquor permit at your event - to be posted in a visible location.

Resources and Links:  
BC Liquor and Cannabis Licensing online.  
BC Liquor and Cannabis Licensing Event Permit Manual.

The City of Vernon has updated the Parks and Public Places Bylaw #5057 to prohibit smoking and vaping of any substance in public places in Vernon with the exception of roadways and sidewalks, and designated smoking/vaping areas. The downtown transit exchange and all transit stops are now non-smoking/non-vaping areas. The updated Bylaw designates lake access sites within the City of Vernon as non-smoking/non-vaping areas.

Food services including mobile food vendor or carts are being planned as part of the event, organizers are responsible to ensure that all food service vendor onsite have valid permits to operate. Interior Health Authority approval is required.

• Information and application for Mobile Food Vendor permits can be found the Interior Health Authority website
• Mobile food vendors are required to have a City of Vernon approval letter or permit to operate
• A copy of the approval letter must be provided to the event organizer and the City of Vernon Recreation events coordinator
• Mobile food vendors must also have a valid inspection decal from Vernon Fire Rescue Services displayed in a visible location (To obtain a fire inspection, vendors must submit a mobile vendor inspection request. - this must be completed a minimum 30 days prior to event)
• A valid Business licence for Mobile Food Vending is also required from the City of Vernon – see business licence section below

• Review Information Package
• Review Vending Policy
• Complete Application
• Documentation that is required to be submitted with business licence application includes: Fire Inspection, Interior Health and Insurance
• Processing a new license or renewal requires a minimum 14-day business days to process

If general food services are being planned as part of the event, organizers are responsible to ensure that all food service vendor onsite have valid permits to operate. Interior Health Authority approval is required.

• If you plan on having a pancake breakfast or serving prepared food, an Interior Health approval is required for all food services.
• Information and applications for Temporary Food Service can be found on the Interior Health website.
• Email your application to EHCentral@interiorhealth.ca, as soon as possible (minimum 30 days in advance).
• City of Vernon also require a copy of temporary food permit when applying for a business license.  
• If a vendor is from a local restaurant they would still require a Temporary Food Service Permit as they are operating off site from their permitted restaurant.

• If you are planning on using barbeques at your event, the information needs to be indicated on the event application form.
• For example, if you are planning on using barbeque equipment for a pancake breakfast or burger/hot dog BBQ’s, then please describe in detail.
• Interior Health Food Services requirements will need to be completed and approved in conjunction with barbeque use.
• City of Vernon Fire Department approval will be required.
• City of Vernon Fire prevention Bylaws #5635 – Barbeques and Hibachis are permitted to be used in parks as long as used in a safe manner and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.