About liquor and cannabis retail licences
The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) issues all liquor and non-medical cannabis retail licences in Ontario. When you apply to the LCRB, your application is referred to the City of Wrenford for review. The City checks your site, talks to your neighbours, and holds public meetings if needed. After we finish our review, Council makes a recommendation to the LCRB before your licence is approved.
How to apply
- Meet with a licence coordinator. Before you submit your application, book a pre-consultation meeting with our Business Licensing Office. We will review your proposal and explain what the LCRB and the City need.
- Submit your LCRB application. Apply online through the LCRB website. Once you submit, the LCRB will forward your file to the City.
- City review and consultation. Our staff will review your proposal, check the site, and carry out the neighbourhood notification and public consultation steps below.
- Council decision. We will prepare a report for Council. Council will review the public feedback and make a recommendation to the LCRB.
Site sign requirements
Before the City can start neighbourhood notification, you must install a temporary site sign at your proposed location. The sign must stay up until Council makes a decision, and you must remove it within seven days after the decision.
- Size: 1.2 metres by 2.4 metres (4 feet by 8 feet).
- Lettering: Black Arial font on a white background. The sign must include the words Liquor Licence Application or Cannabis Licence Application, your business name, and the address.
- Placement: The sign must be on the ground, supported by posts, and clearly visible from the street. It must be placed at least 3 metres from any property line and no higher than 4.8 metres (16 feet).
- Notification: Once the sign is installed, email a photo to [email protected]. We will not send neighbourhood notices until we receive this photo.
Neighbourhood notification
The City will mail a notice to all residents and businesses within a two-block radius of your proposed location. This notice will explain your application and invite comments for three weeks. You are encouraged to speak with your neighbours before we send the official notice to avoid surprises.
Public consultation
Depending on your proposal and where it is located, we may hold a public meeting or a telephone survey. A public meeting gives you a chance to present your plans and answer questions from residents. A telephone survey may be recommended if there is strong support and opposition in the area. If a survey is needed, you will pay the cost of the survey on top of the application fee.
Fees
Applications are processed in the order they are received. The standard application fee is $250.00. If a telephone survey is required, the cost is determined through a competitive bidding process and billed to you directly. All fees are non-refundable.
Processing time
Most applications take four to six months to process. Delays can happen if the LCRB or City policies are not met, or if the application requires a complex public consultation process. We will keep you updated on the status of your file.
Contact the Business Licensing Office
For questions about liquor or cannabis retail licences, or to book a pre-consultation meeting, contact the Business Licensing Office at 519-555-0100 or [email protected]. You can also visit us at Wrenford City Hall, 100 Mercer Street, during regular business hours.