Permits and Licences

As part of the Bring‑Your‑Own Event permit through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.  The applicant must obtain a letter, or resolution, from the Municipality confirming the event has been designated a Community or Cultural event. 

As stated in the Regulation, “nothing in this Regulation shall be read as requiring a municipal council or its delegate to designate an event as a cultural or community event, or as requiring or otherwise providing for procedures in respect of such a designation.” 

A Municipally Designated Community or Cultural Event is an occasional occurring outdoor ground level public event in the Municipality of Clarington with predetermined opening and closing times that: 

• Is open to, and advertised to, the general public (e.g. street markets/festivals, outdoor movie nights, block-style gathering) 
• Aligns with one, or both, of the following categories:  
  • Community Event  
  • Cultural Event  
• Complies with all Municipal by-laws and policies.  
• Comply with all permitting, notice, and safety requirements. 

Please see Public Event Alcohol Permit Designation CP-035 for further criteria and details regarding applying for a Designation in the Municipality of Clarington. 

Once you submit your request for Municipally Designated Community or Cultural Event (Bring Your Own Event), someone from the Municipal Clerk's Division will contact you within two business days. Approved events will require payment of the fee and will receive a letter that you should include with your liquor licence application. If your event is denied a Municipally Cultural Community Event Designation, you will receive a letter outlining the reasons why the application was denied. 

• Apply for a Municipal Community and Cultural Event Designation

Compliance letters from Clarington's Building Division, Clarington Emergency and Fire Services, and the Durham Region Public Health Department may be required as part of your Liquor Licence application.

You will need two copies of the Agency Letter of Approval. One for Clarington Building Division and one for Clarington Emergency and Fire Services.

A letter is also required for Durham Region Public Health. For more information on how to submit your Agency Letter of Approval to Public Health, contact Ehl@durham.ca or 905-668-2020.

As part of the Special Occasion Permit through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, for a public event, the event may require a municipal resolution to be deemed 'Municipally Significant' by Clarington's Municipal Clerk Division.

• Liquor licences are issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and require Municipal approval.  

Municipally Significant events include:

• Historical events, e.g. fairs
• Community events, e.g. events that promote community connection
• Economic spinoff events, e.g. events that bring visitors to Clarington and encourage spending in the local economy.
• Recognition events, e.g. award ceremonies
• Fundrasiers

Once you submit your request for Municipally Significant Event Designation, someone from the Municipal Clerk's Division will contact you within two business days. Approved events will receive a letter that you should include with your liquor licence application. If your event is denied a Municipally Significant Event Designation, you will receive a letter outlining the reasons why the application was denied.

Apply for a Municipally Significant Designation

A By-the-Glass Endorsement allows eligible Ontario wineries, distilleries, and breweries with a licence to sell and serve their products on or adjacent to their production site for the purposes of promoting the product, enhancing tourist experiences or fulfilling educational purposes.

As part of the By-the-Glass Endorsement process the AGCO requires a Municipal Resolution that includes written notice of endorsement from Clarington Council.