Application forms

Application forms can be obtained from the Council’s offices in Alexandra (03 440 0615) or downloaded here in pdf format:

Reg 109 - On Licence Application Pack

Reg 110 - Off Licence Application Pack

Reg 111 - Managers Certificate Application

Reg 112 - Club Licence Application

Reg 113 - Special Licence (For Premises) Application

Reg 114 - Renewal of Licence (for On-Licence, Off-Licence, or Club Licence)

Reg 115 - Temporary Authority Application

With a complete application, that includes all supporting documents, the processing time is approximately 30 working days.

• the fee for an On Licence is $776
• the fee for a BYO On Licence is $132
• the fee for a Manager's Certificate is $132
• the fee for a Special Licence is $63

Before a licence application can be made a Local Authority Compliance Certificate will be required.

In addition, the following is required.

• A scale plan showing:
  a) those parts of the premises to be used for the sale or supply of liquor, and
  b) those part of the premises (if any) to be designated as restricted – (no under 18s admitted); or supervised areas – (under 18s admitted if accompanied by parent or legal guardian) and
  c) each entrance to the premises that you designate as a principal entrance.

• If you are not the owner of the premises, a written statement from the owner to the effect that there is no objection to the grant of the licence.
• A map showing the location of the premises.
• A photograph of the exterior of the premises; (or an artist’s impression of the exterior of the proposed premises as they will look when completed).
• A sample menu presently in use (or proposed to be used should the premises become licensed).
• Certificate of incorporation if the applicant is a company.
• Host responsibility policy.

Once the required information has been obtained and an application form completed, the application can be submitted, along with the correct payment, to:

The Secretary
Central Otago District Licensing Agency
P O Box 122
ALEXANDRA

Reporting Agencies

The district licensing agency will send a copy of the application to the statutory reporting agencies, namely, police, medical officer of health, and the licensing inspector. The applicant will receive a copy of any reports and any objections received.

When report(s) and objections, if any, have been received the application will be processed by the district licensing agency as soon as possible. If there are objections the application will be forwarded, as detailed in the Act, to the liquor licensing authority for processing.

Local Authority Compliance Certificates (for premises only)

Compliance certificates must be submitted with liquor licence applications. The certificates confirm that the premises and their proposed use do not conflict with the Central Otago District Plan and the Building Act 1991. Failure to supply these certificates will cause processing delays. You can download the form here:

reg 130 - LACC application form

Applying for a special licence

A special licence is sometimes referred to as a “booth licence”.

A special licence authorises the holder of the licence to sell and supply liquor on the premises, or conveyance described in the licence, to any person attending any occasion or events or series of occasions or events described in the licence.

The applicant must allow at least four weeks (20 working days) between lodging of the application and the proposed occasion or event for which the licence is sought. Controversial applications may need to be advertised in the public notices section of a local newspaper in which case a period of six weeks (30 workings days) would be required.

A special licence is valid only for the timeframe specified by the special licence. It can apply to a property, location or conveyance (eg boat or train).

 When is a special licence needed?

A bottle of wine may be taken to the beach or park with a picnic basket and be consumed on public property without the need for a liquor licence. It is only when public property is booked for a function, and it is cordoned off or under cover, eg a marquee or band rotunda, that a special licence must be arranged for the sale or supply of liquor.

A special licence is required if liquor is sold or supplied:

• at any function where no on-licence or club-licence exists.
• at any function or any unlicensed premises (eg local hall) or conveyance (eg boat) where the caterer does not have an endorsed off licence
• at a function in club premises at which non-members are present
• outside the hours or area authorised on an existing on-licence or club-licence
• to people attending any particular occasion or event or series of occasions or events, eg a wedding or 21st birthday, including occasions at a private residence

Examples of series of special licence circumstances would include:

• a three day event where the organisers may wish to sell or supply liquor
• a social club that holds drinks on the last Friday of each month.

 Special licence fees

The fee for a special licence is $63. This fee is non-refundable.

Special licences cannot be renewed. However, if the dates of future events (to be held at the same venue) are known, application for up to six future events can be made on a single application.

In addition:

• if the applicant does not own the premises, the owner's consent must be included with the application
• a plan of the premises must be included in the application
• the company or person taking the profit from the sale of liquor should be the applicant.

Send applications, including all the required information as stated in the guide, and the $63 fee to:

The Secretary
Central Otago District Licensing Agency
P O Box 122
ALEXANDRA

Temporary authority

If consideration is being given to purchasing a business that includes the use of an existing liquor licence, a temporary authority will be needed. A temporary authority allows a licence holder to operate the businesses while their own on or off licence application is being processed.

Note that it cannot be assumed that the applicant for a temporary authority would be granted the same hours as those recorded on the current on or off licence.

In addition to the correct application form, applicants need to provide:

• a fee of $132
• a written statement from the owner of the building giving consent to the applicant to sell liquor on the premises
• a letter detailing:
  - the reason for the temporary authority
  - the applicant's experience, qualifications and training in the Sale of Liquor Act
  - any convictions held
  - the date that the permanent liquor licence application will be made
• advice on whether any cosmetic or structural changes will be made to the premises

A minimum of 10 working days is required to process a temporary authority application.

Once the application is lodged with the district licensing agency a copy is forwarded to the police and licensing inspector for their reports. The temporary authority is current for a maximum period of three months from the date of its issue.