Requirements
Application for Vendor's Licence – all liquor permitted establishments must hold a Vendor’s Licence issued by Saskatchewan Finance in order to collect and remit Provincial Sales Tax and Liquor Consumption Tax to Saskatchewan Finance. Download the form.
Band Council Approval – if the establishment will be located on reserve land, SLGA requires written approval from the Band Council stating they approve of the application for a liquor permit by the applicant.
Cut-off Period (also known as Tolerance Period) – after the lawful sale of beverage alcohol ceases, a permit holder must keep the establishment open for at least one half hour but not longer than one hour to allow patrons to finish their drinks of beverage alcohol. No alcohol can be sold or served during this period, except in closed containers through an authorized off-sale for consumption off the permitted premises.
Establishment (also known as Permitted Premises) – this is how SLGA refers to a physical location to which a liquor permit applies.
Floor Plan – a drawing of the premises indicating the location of washrooms, fixtures, liquor dispensing facilities, liquor storage, food preparation areas and all exits and entrances (exterior and interior). These plans should be drawn to scale. Floor Plan Guide
Food Menu – all liquor permitted establishments must make food and non-alcoholic beverages available to their customers. The level of food service required will vary depending on the type of establishment. A restaurant, or a tavern with a dining endorsement, is required to provide a reasonable number of meal choices, consistent with the dining concept of the establishment, and sufficient enough to constitute a person’s lunch or supper. Most other permit types must make light meals (e.g. appetizers) available.
Hotel/Motel Operator Approval – written consent by the hotel/motel owner for a restaurant or tavern permit holder to provide liquor room service to guestrooms in the hotel/motel. All restaurants and taverns are endorsed to provide room service, but can only do so in a specific location if they have this approval. Permittees must be prepared to provide a copy of the approval to SLGA if requested.
Landlord's Consent – if the applicant is subleasing the property, proof of possession must include written approval from the Landlord of the Sub Lease Agreement between the Lessee and Sublessee (applicant).
Light Meals - generally consist of one item or a smaller serving commonly referred to as an appetizer (e.g. nachos, dry ribs, chicken fingers, sandwiches, salads, etc). Snacks such as chips or peanuts are not sufficient to meet this requirement. This type of menu is required for Tavern Permits and most Special Use Permits.
Manufacturer Representative – an agent from the beverage alcohol industry that is authorized to distribute, market and promote beverage alcohol in Saskatchewan.
Maximum Regulated Hours – the controlled hours for the sale and service of beverage alcohol. For a retail store, these are between:
8:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. of the following day, Monday to Sunday; or
8:00 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. of the following day on December 31.
For every permittee other than a retail store permittee, these are between:
9:30 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. of the following day, Monday to Sunday; or
9:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. of the following day on December 31.
Special Use Home Delivery permit holders may continue to take and delivery orders of beverage alcohol during the Tolerance Period.
Minor – a person under the age of 19 years. In all cases, a person is considered a minor until the calendar day of their 19th birthday.
Municipal Approval – SLGA requires written consent from the municipality to approve any of the following: a Temporary, Seasonal, or Permanent Patio endorsement (located on civic property) or a Daily or Sunday Family Dining endorsement.
Proof of Possession – a document confirming that the applicant has the legal right to occupy the premises and to conduct the said business in the premises. The proof of possession must be in the same name as the applicant for the liquor permit. Proof of Possession may take a variety of forms:
- Certificate of Title – a document issued by Information Systems Corporation (formerly: Land Titles Office) indicating the applicant has legal ownership of the said premises.
- Agreement for Sale/Purchase Agreement – a document that indicates the purchaser (applicant) is bound by an agreement to take legal possession of said premises. SLGA can begin processing an application with this type of proof, but will require a copy of the Certificate of Title as soon as it becomes available.
- Lease Agreement – an agreement between a Landlord and a Tenant that gives the Tenant (i.e., applicant) the legal right to occupy the said premises and to conduct the said business in those premises. This document must be signed by all concerned parties.
- Sublease Agreement – an agreement between a Tenant and a Subtenant that gives the Subtenant (i.e., applicant) the legal right to occupy the said premises and to conduct the said business in those premises. This document must be signed by all concerned parties. A copy of the Head Lease Agreement may also be required.
- Head Lease Agreement – another name for a Lease Agreement between a Landlord and a Tenant that is used in cases where there is also a Sublease Agreement. A copy of this document may be required along with the Sub Lease Agreement.
Public Eating Establishment Licence – a licence issued by the Regional Health Authority that entitles the holder to operate a facility as a Public Eating Establishment. All permitted restaurants, plus taverns that hold dining endorsements, must hold a Public Eating Establishment Licence, and must be prepared to provide a copy of that document to SLGA if requested. Businesses that apply for Special Use Catering permits will be required to provide a copy of the Public Eating Establishment Licence in order to qualify for the permit. You should check with your Regional Health Authority if you are uncertain whether your business needs this type of licence.
Tavern – an establishment where the primary purpose is the sale of beverage alcohol for consumption on the premises.
Tavern Endorsement – allows a restaurant to operate as a liquor-primary establishment after 8:00 pm every night.
Vehicle Registration – if the application is for a vehicle or vessel, SLGA requires a copy of the Certificate of Registration issued by SGI or Transport Canada, as applicable.
Definitions
After Hours Event – an authorization that allows a tavern establishment to run a no-alcohol event between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. when the establishment ordinarily must be vacant.
All Ages Event Non-Alcoholic Event – an authorization that allows a tavern establishment to hold an occasional alcohol-free event attended by minors where minors may be present. Beverage alcohol must be stored in a locked compartment during the event so that it is not visible or accessible to patrons attending the event. If the establishment has VLTs, they must be covered in a way that prevents minors from viewing or accessing them.
Co-operative – a legal entity owned and controlled by its members, working for the production or distribution of goods and/or services to its members. Profits may be shared by its members or returned to the business operation.
Corporation – a legal entity owned by a group of shareholders that is lawfully authorized to carry on business in Saskatchewan. May be for-profit (Corporation With Share Capital) or non-profit (Corporation Without Share Capital).
Individual – one person.
Interim Permit – a temporary liquor permit that allows for the possession and/or the sale and service of beverage alcohol under limited circumstances.. This permit is typically issued for three months, but can be extended for an additional three months if necessary.
Lessee (also known as Tenant) – an entity that has the legal right to occupy a property through the authority of a Lease Agreement with the owner of the property.
Minor – a person under the age of 19 years. In all cases, a person is considered a minor until the calendar day of their 19th birthday.
Owner – an entity that has legal ownership of a property registered with Information Systems Corporation (formerly: Land Titles Office).
Partnership of Individuals and/or Corporations – an unincorporated entity consisting of one or more individuals and/or corporations that mutually own and control a business.
Permit Extension – an endorsement to a commercial liquor permit that authorizes the sale of beverage alcohol during a specific function in an area of the establishment that is normally not permitted.
Seasonal Permit – issued to an establishment that operates for part of a year, such as a curling club or golf club.
Sub-lessee (also known as Subtenant) – an entity that has the legal right to occupy a property through the authority of a Sub-Lease Agreement with a Lessee that is agreed to by the owner of the property.
Temporary Patio – an endorsement to a commercial liquor permit that authorizes the sale of beverage alcohol during a specific function in a temporary outdoor area adjacent to the establishment.
Tenant (also known as Lessee) – an entity that has the legal right to occupy a property through the authority of a Lease Agreement with the owner of the property.