Special Occasion Permits (SOPs)

A Special Occasion Permit (SOP) from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is required any time you sell alcohol at private or public events.

Types of SOPs

Private:

Private events can include “stag and does”, bridal showers, wedding receptions, anniversary parties, birthday parties, funeral receptions or other events with invited guests only. These events cannot be advertised and there can be no intent to gain or profit from the sale of alcohol at the event (Special Occasions Permit).

If you are applying to AGCO for a Private Special Occasion Permit, please complete this form and email it to the below municipal email addresses. This will satisfy AGCO’s requirement to provide written notice of your event to the local Municipal Clerk’s Department and Fire Department.
 
You must provide written notice 30 days before an event where less than 5,000 people are expected to attend (more than 5,000 people require 60-days’ notice). 

Clerk – clerk@thamescentre.on.ca  
Fire – fireadmin@thamescentre.on.ca

If a tent, marquee, pavilion, tiered seating or road signs will be used, written notice of the event must also be provided to the Building Department (building@thamescentre.on.ca). If any permits are required, the Building Department requires 10 business days to process the application.

You are also required to provide separate written notice of the event to the local police and health departments, which are separate organizations from the Municipality of Thames Centre.

Public:

For events that are open to the public, such as charity fundraisers. Public events can be advertised and allow for fundraising/profit from the sale of alcohol.

Municipally Significant Event Designations:

You may need to apply for a municipal resolution to declare your Public Event as being Municipally Significant.

Applicants who wish to request a Municipally Significant Event Designation must:

• Complete and submit the above form
• Submit the $100 application fee
• Obtain a minimum of Five Million ($5,000,000) Dollars liability insurance, naming the Municipality of Thames Centre as an additional insured, at least ten (10) business days prior to the event and must provide the certificate of insurance to the Clerk. The permit holder shall be required to indemnify the Municipality and save the Municipality of Thames Centre harmless from all claims arising from the permit or event
• Serve the public interest by upholding the by-laws and policies of The Municipality of Thames Centre and any other applicable legislation
• Assume all responsibility for compliance with regulations regarding SOPs and with other applicable legislation, including but not limited to the rules with respect to the Fire and Building Codes, Noise By-law, Street Closures, etc.; and
• Provide any additional details as may be requested by the circulated stakeholders of the Municipality.

For additional information, please contact Sara Henshaw, Deputy Clerk (shenshaw@thamescentre.on.ca or (519) 268-7334 x 239)