Bulletin 24-02: Sales in a manufacturer picnic area

Last updated on April 5, 2024

Who's impacted

These changes apply to the following licences: 

  • Manufacturer

What's changing

Section 34 of the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation is amended to authorize two types of areas under a picnic area endorsement:

  • One sale area
  • One or more consumption-only areas

New Picnic Endorsement Sale Area

A manufacturer may now sell and serve their products by the glass in a picnic sale area. Liquor consumption is also permitted in a sale area.

Conditions for the new sale area include:

  • The sale area must be no more than 300 square metres
  • No more than 30 people are permitted in the sale area and signage indicating maximum person capacity must be posted for visitors to see
  • The sale and service of liquor is permitted from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or a half-hour after sunset, whichever is earlier
  • The sale area may only have temporary and removable furnishings like picnic tables and umbrellas
  • There must be clearly marked boundaries around the sale area separating it from the consumption-only area and other licensed/unlicensed areas on the manufacturing site

What's staying the same

All areas under the picnic area endorsement must not exceed 1000 square metres.

  • For example, if your sale area is the maximum of 300 square metres, the consumption-only areas must not exceed 700 square metres

The conditions for the consumption-only area(s) have not changed. For example:

  • Liquor service, including sales of packaged liquor, is prohibited in the consumption-only area(s)
  • Consumption-only areas must close no later than half an hour after sunset
  • Patrons may consume liquor they have been sold or served in other service areas at the site, including an on-site store, in the consumption-only area(s)

Terms and conditions

To read all the rules for these changes, please refer to the:

Helpful information

If you have a Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA)

Manufacturers that have a Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA) for outdoor sampling can now apply for a picnic area endorsement to make their TESA permanent. Applications can be submitted in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal. It’s free to apply.

If you have a picnic area endorsement

To add a new sale area, submit a “change to an approved picnic area endorsement” application in the portal.

If you don’t have a picnic area endorsement

To apply for a picnic area endorsement, submit a “picnic area endorsement” application in the portal. 

Applicants must declare zoning and person capacity approval from their local government or First Nation when applying for a picnic area endorsement.

Applicants located within the Agricultural Land Reserve must ensure their proposed picnic areas comply with the Agricultural Land Commission’s Act and regulations. A sale area located within the Agricultural Land Reserve must not have ground cover (e.g., paving, gravel pad, concrete, etc.) unless otherwise approved by the Agricultural Land Commission.

Related Bulletins

 

Disclaimer

Bulletins are for general information and may not apply to all situations. Bulletins do not constitute legal advice nor are they a comprehensive statement of the legal obligations that arise under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, Cannabis Control and Licensing Act, regulations, or any other applicable laws.

When interpreting and applying the information contained in the Bulletins, you are encouraged to seek advice from your professional advisors as appropriate in the circumstances.

 

Questions

If you have questions about this policy change, email LCRBLiquorPolicy@gov.bc.ca