Before you start
Each licence change has specific documentation requirements. Be sure to read the submission instructions for the change you want to make.
Change applications are processed in the order they’re received.
Processing times may take longer if the local government or Indigenous Nation must be informed of the change.
Making a change before receiving a licence
Changing a CRS application before receiving a licence may require a separate change application.
If you make a change before you are issued a licence:
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Your licence application will pause until all change applications are approved
To change the proposed legal entity or licensee in your CRS application before receiving a licence, apply separately for a permanent change to a proposed licensee in the portal.
Making a change after receiving Approval in Principle
If you make a change after receiving Approval in Principle (AIP):
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Your application will pause until all change applications are approved
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Your AIP may be on hold until the change is approved
Overview
As a Cannabis Retail Store (CRS) licensee, you can
- Apply to make a permanent change to your licence
- Apply to relocate a store
- Apply to make a permanent change to a licensee
- Apply to make a structural change
- Submit a tied house notification
- Submit a dormancy notification
Some changes require a fee. All changes can be submitted in the liquor and cannabis licensing portal.
See below for each type of licence change.
Change
Relocate a store
You may apply to relocate your store anywhere in the province. The local government or Indigenous Nation in the area of the proposed location must approve the relocation.
Parcel Identifier (PID)
A PID identifies the parcel of real property where a store is located. It is either a nine-digit number or a legal description of the property.
Property in the area of an Indigenous Nation may not have a PID. In this case, you must provide information identifying the parcel from the registry used for that land by the Indigenous Nation.
You can find the property's PID
- On the title to the property
- Through the B.C. Land Title and Survey Authority
- On the tax assessment notice from BC Assessment
- On BC Assessment’s e-value website
- On the municipal tax notice
- On the property lease
Full street address
The address must include the
- Suite or apartment numbers (if applicable)
- Postal code
You can’t change the address of the proposed cannabis store after submitting your application.
Local governments or Indigenous nations may have requirements about your proposed store location, including its
- Proximity to other cannabis stores
- Proximity to areas where young people may gather
- For example, schools, playgrounds, daycares, recreation centres
Property ownership or lease
Before a licence can be issued, you must meet certain ownership or control requirements of the property for the proposed store location.
This means your application must demonstrate that you, either:
- Own the property
- Lease the property
- Have an agreement to purchase or lease the property
- Have a different property arrangement in place, such as a sublease
If you have an agreement to purchase or lease the property, the property must be purchased or leased before a licence can be issued. Leases or other property arrangements must be in place for at least 12 months from the time you receive your licence.
Fee: $220.
A cannabis store must be a self-contained business. Learn about shopping malls and shared vestibules below.
Apply to make a permanent change to a licensee
You must apply for the LCRB's approval within 10 days of making the changes listed below.
- Changes in ownership of shares
- Amalgamation of the corporation, holding company or subsidiary
- Change of directors/officers/senior managers
- Each new director/officer must pass cannabis security screening and financial integrity checks.
- Licensee name changes (legal entity name)
Application fee varies.
Tied house notification
A tied house is a connection between a federally licensed producer and a licensed cannabis retail store. For more information, see Tied house connections.
Submit a tied house notification within 10 days of the change.
Make a structural change to the store
Cannabis Retail Store (CRS) licensees can apply to make structural changes to a store including:
- physical expansion
- changing position of walls, floors, ceiling
- moving secured storage, cabinets, shelves
- changing entrance and exit points
- service counter (i.e. location of POS, addition or removal of a reception area)
- adding or removing a shared vestibule with another business
- adding or removing outside facing windows
Structural change applications require:
- an updated floor plan
- an updated site plan only if adding or changing a shared vestibule, entrances, exits, and windows
A structural change does not include:
- making cosmetic changes such as painting, countertops and flooring
- relocating to another unit in the same building structure (i.e. shopping mall). Relocation applications are accepted through the liquor and cannabis licensing portal.
Application fee is $440.
Dormancy notification
Notify us within 10 days of the closure or as soon as you become aware that the closure will be longer than 90 days.
Email LCRBCannabis@gov.bc.ca .
Contact information
Contact our client support team
In Victoria Office
250-952-5787
250-952-5787
In Canada Toll Free
1-866-209-2111
1-866-209-2111
Cannabis licences
LCRBCannabis@gov.bc.ca
LCRBCannabis@gov.bc.ca