Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content
  • myStratford

City of Stratford Logo

Contact Us
  • Visit Us
    • Parking
    • Public Restrooms
    • Destination Stratford
  • Live Here
    • Applications, Licenses & Permits
    • Britannia Street Housing Project
    • Cemetery
    • Children's Resources
    • Climate Action
    • EarlyON Perth County
    • Education
    • Emergency Services
    • Extreme Heat
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Garbage Collection
    • Heritage Stratford
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Parking
    • Pet Ownership
    • Property Taxes
    • Social Services
    • Stratford Police Services
    • Transportation
    • Utilities
    • Wastewater and Stormwater
    • Water
    • Wildlife
    • Senior's Resources
  • Play Here
    • Community Organizations
    • Advertising
    • Facilities
    • Parks & Forestry
    • Recreation Programs
    • Register for Programs
    • Sports Wall of Fame
    • Upcoming Events
  • Do Business
    • investStratford
    • Available Properties
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Business Licensing
    • Community Profile
    • Our Industries
    • Stratford Perth Centre for Business
  • Inside City Hall
    • A to Z Services
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Accessibility
    • Advisory Committees
    • Animal Control
    • Applications, Licenses & Permits
    • Awards
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Budget
    • By-laws
    • City Council
    • Contact Us
    • Cooper Block
    • Departments
    • Employment
    • Market Square
    • Mayor
    • Municipal Accommodation Tax
    • Municipal Elections
    • News & Public Notices
    • Privacy Statement
    • Procedural By-law Review
    • Respectful Community
    • Strategic Priorities
    • Terms of Use
    • Website Feedback
HomeLive HereApplications, Licenses & PermitsSpecial Events and Municipal Alcohol Policy

Special Events and Municipal Alcohol Policy

  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via Pinterest Pinterest
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

Live Here

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission regulates the sale and serving of liquor in licensed establishments and at special events. There are different processes depending upon the type of event and whether it is inside or outside a building, whether it is a City facility or in a City Park.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has a number of Guides and Forms available on their website. They are also available by calling 1-800-522-2876.

The City of Stratford’s involvement with your event is dependent on a number of factors which are identified below:

Special Event: Public Event, Wedding, Religious Event etc.

A Special Occasion Permit (SOP) is required any time alcohol is served anywhere other than in a licensed establishment or a private place.  SOPs are for occasional, special events only, and not for personal profit or running an ongoing business.  Special occasions and events include public events, charity fundraisers, wedding receptions and private weddings.  The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) oversees the administration of the SOP program. Applicants must apply on the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario's (AGCO) portal to obtain a "Special Occasion Permit” regardless of whether the alcohol is sold or offered free of charge. 

When you are planning for your special event determine the number of people that will attend as rules change depending upon the number of guests (fewer than 5,000 people or more than 5,000 people). The timelines as prescribed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission are 30 days before the event if fewer than 5,000 people or 60 days before the event if greater than 5,000 people.

A letter must be sent to the Municipality (City Clerk’s Office) requesting permission from Council to hold public events. Details on the event such as but not limited to date, location and times must be provided.

Both public and private outdoor events must send notification letters to the Clerk's Office, Stratford Police Services, the Fire Department, and the Perth District Health Unit. If a tent, marquee, pavilion or tiered seating is being used, the Building Department must also be notified in writing along with a detailed sketch.

Please note there are fees for the letter of approval from the Fire Department and there are varying prices for tent permits as they depend on the size of the tent.

All events held on municipal property are required to abide by and provide a signed copy of the Municipal Alcohol Policy. Jump down to Events with Alcohol in City Facilities section for more information.

Contacts:

Department

Phone Number

Clerk’s Department:

519-271-0250 Ext 237

Building Department**:

519-271-0250 Ext 216

Fire Department:

519-271-3212 (non-emergency)

Stratford Police Services

519-271-4141 (non-emergency)

Perth District Health Unit

519-271-7600

**if event includes tent or bleachers.

Find out more by visiting the Alcohol and Gaming Commissions website regarding Special Occasion Permits.

Event with Alcohol in City Facility

The City of Stratford has adopted a "Municipal Alcohol Policy" addressing alcohol in City Facilities. Requirements specific to the facility and/or park are identified and individuals must meet these conditions in addition to applying for a "Special Occasion Permit".

When you rent a City facility there will be a package of information available with the rental information outlining rules for serving alcohol in City Facilities.  For list of facilities and contacts, visit the Facilities page.

To review the City's Municipal Alcohol Policy please click here.

Business Wishing to Sell Alcohol - Municipal Information Form

There is a process where business owners wishing to serve and sell alcohol inside their building or on an outdoor patio must apply to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. The Municipality becomes involved as they must sign off the form that is referred to as a "Municipal Information Form".

You should contact the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for information on this form if you have questions or you can access the form from the link below. This process takes 10 to 12 weeks as a number of approvals are required.

Please note that changing owners of the business, adding a patio and/or renewing the licence requires further contact with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

The owner of the business, after completing the Municipal Information Form, must submit it along with the required fee to the City Clerk's Department.

The current fee is:

Regular Service

(a minimum 30 days prior to opening)

$45.00

Clerk's staff will advise you when you submit your Municipal Information Form whether you need a Business Licence. In the event that you require a licence you will be provided with the application form and information on requirements and applicable fees. City staff will forward it to the various departments for approval.

Once the Clerk's Department receives all the comments, they complete the Municipal Information Form and forward to City Council for their information and possible direction. Once received from Council, Clerk's staff will forward the documentation directly to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, with a copy being sent to the applicant.

Note: if the building is not completed and/or renovations are not finished the Alcohol and Gaming Commission is advised along with the applicant. Further follow-up with the accompanying departments (ie inspections) for final sign-off is the responsibility of the applicant.

There may be a fee for the approval letters from the other departments and agencies.

Contacts:

Department Phone Number
Clerk's Department: 519-271-0250 Ext 237
Building Department: 519-271-0250 Ext 216
Fire Department: 519-271-3212

View the Alcohol and Gaming Commissions website regarding the Municipal Information Form.  

Municipal Information Letter

 

  • Applications, Licenses & Permits
    Toggle Section Applications, Licenses & Permits Menu
    • Bicycle Licensing
    • Birth, Death, Marriage Certificates and Change of Name
    • Business Licence
    • Encroachments
    • Lottery Licensing
    • Marriage and Civil Ceremonies
    • Pet Ownership
    • Special Events and Municipal Alcohol Policy
    • Outdoor Special Events
  • View Full Live Here Menu
    Toggle Section
    • Britannia Street Housing Project
    • Cemetery
    • Children's Resources
    • Climate Action
      Toggle Section Climate Action Menu
      • Green Recognition Program
    • EarlyON Perth County
    • Education
    • Emergency Services
      Toggle Section Emergency Services Menu
      • Ambulance
      • Fire
        Toggle Section Fire Menu
        • Community Reports
        • Communications
        • History
        • LODD Memorial
        • Stations and Apparatus
        • Suppression
        • Emergency Preparedness
        • Fire Prevention
          Toggle Section Fire Prevention Menu
          • Fire By-Laws
        • Public Education
          Toggle Section Public Education Menu
          • Fire Extinguisher Training
      • Health Care
      • Police
    • Extreme Heat
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Garbage Collection
      Toggle Section Garbage Collection Menu
      • Green Bin
      • Hazardous Waste
      • Landfill Site
      • Leaf and Yard Waste
      • Recycling Collection
      • Textiles
      • Treasure Hunt Weekend
    • Heritage Stratford
      Toggle Section Heritage Stratford Menu
      • Award Programs
        Toggle Section Award Programs Menu
        • Blue Plaque Program
        • James Anderson Award
      • Heritage Permits
      • How to Designate Your Property
      • Designated Properties
      • Non-Designated Properties
      • Heritage Conservation District
      • Heritage Conservation Loan and Grant Programs
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Parking
    • Pet Ownership
    • Property Taxes
      Toggle Section Property Taxes Menu
      • Property Assessment
      • Property Tax Rates
      • Tax Bill Information
      • Tax Bill Payment Options
      • Tax Calculator
      • Tax Sales
    • Social Services
      Toggle Section Social Services Menu
      • Anne Hathaway Daycare
      • Children's Services
      • Homelessness
      • Housing
        Toggle Section Housing Menu
        • Housing Access Centre
        • Perth and Stratford Housing Corporation
      • Ontario Works
    • Stratford Police Services
      Toggle Section Stratford Police Services Menu
      • About Stratford Police
      • Services and Reporting
        Toggle Section Services and Reporting Menu
        • Background Checks
        • Police Fee Schedule
        • Freedom of Information Requests
        • Community Equity Action Team
      • Crime Prevention
      • Careers
    • Transportation
      Toggle Section Transportation Menu
      • Stratford Municipal Airport
      • Parking
      • Rail
      • Roads
      • Transit
      • Parallel Transit
      • Pedestrian Crossovers
      • School Travel Safety
    • Utilities
    • Wastewater and Stormwater
      Toggle Section Wastewater and Stormwater Menu
      • Fats, Oils and Grease
      • Sanitary Service Ownership
      • Sewer Subsidy Programs
      • Draining Your Pool or Hot Tub
    • Water
      Toggle Section Water Menu
      • Water Annual Reports
      • Water and Sewer Rates
      • Drinking Water Source Protection
      • Frozen Water Services
      • Discoloured Water
      • Service Line Warranties of Canada
    • Wildlife
    • Senior's Resources

Contact Us

Subscribe to page updates

Stratford logo

  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Website Feedback
  • Privacy Statement

© 2019 The Corporation of the City of Stratford, P.O. Box 818, Stratford, Ontario, N5A 6W1, 519-271-0250

View our Facebook Page View our Twitter Page View our LinkedIn Page
By GHD Digital
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.