A designation of an event as Municipally Significant may be required by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for the issuance of a Special Occasion Permit to sell and serve alcohol on special occasions and events that are open to the public.
Any requests for this designation are to be submitted to the Office of the Clerk. To apply, please refer to the application process below.
Please note: The City of Richmond Hill does not issue liquor licenses. Applicants must contact the AGCO directly to inquire about liquor licensing. This form should only be completed in connection with a Special Occasion Permit application to the AGCO, if required by the AGCO.
Municipally Significant Event Designation Policy
| What is a Municipally Significant Event |
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Public events must meet the following criteria, to be considered by the City of Richmond Hill for designation as a Municipally Significant Event:
- Is a one-time, annual, or infrequently occurring event with a pre-determined opening and closing time which:
- has local, regional, national, or international, historical or cultural significance;
- builds awareness of diverse cultures;
- promotes the social, cultural, or economic development of the City; or
- benefits the community at large.
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| How to apply |
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All organizations and/or persons submitting a request for a Municipally Significant Event must complete an Application for Municipally Significant Designation.
Applications must be submitted at least twenty-five (25) business days before the event. If the event is occurring on City property, it must have the approval of the Recreation and Culture Division. For more information, please email booking@richmondhill.ca.
Application Process
- The Application for Municipally Significant Designation is submitted online.
- The City Clerk receives and reviews the form for completeness and whether it meets all the basic criteria as defined in the Municipally Significant Event Designation Policy.
- The application will be circulated to various stakeholders for their review and considerations.
- If there are no objections to the event, the City Clerk will provide a letter to the applicant confirming the Municipally Significant Designation to applicant.
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| FAQ |
| What types of events may be considered Municipally Significant Events? |
Municipally significant events may include but are not limited to the following:
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a community event or festival;
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concert, theatre show, art gallery/bookstore/or similar opening or gala event;
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pop-up promotion, product launch, customer appreciation event;
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professional, networking or club members event;
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private, invite-only or members-only event taking place in a public space and therefore requiring a Special Occasion Permit;
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charitable fundraiser; or
- sports event in an unlicensed venue.
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| Once the municipally significant designation is approved, is it permissible for me to serve alcohol at my event? |
| No, the letter for approval must accompany your application to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for a Special Occasion Permit. The AGCO makes the final decision on whether or not to issue a Special Occasion Permit for a public event. |
| What happens if designation is not approved? |
| If the designation cannot be approved, applicants will be provided the opportunity to request Council’s approval to designate the event as a Municipally Significant Event. Applicants wishing to request Council’s approval must notify the City Clerk in writing within five (5) business days of the date of the City Clerk’s notice. The Applicant’s written request must set out for Council’s consideration all the reasons why they believe that the designation should be approved. Council’s decision will act as the final decision. |
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