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Effective May 1, 2026, the British Columbia Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is implementing its first BC liquor licence renewal fee increase since 2010 as announced in Bulletin 26-01. According to the bulletin, for most licensees the change will result in a modest increase to annual renewal fees.
Detailed Fee Table
For a breakdown of the specific renewal fees for each affected licensee, see the Detailed Fee Table in the bulletin.
Who it Affects
The increase applies to all liquor licensees who have annual renewal fees and also to individuals required to have Serving It Right (SIR) and Special Event Server (SES) certification.
Timeline and Rationale
The new BC liquor license renewal fees become effective on May 1, 2026. The LCRB operates on a self-sustaining model, and this adjustment is necessary to fund essential operations, policy development, compliance, enforcement, digital system modernization and continued improvements to LCRB services.
Service Improvements
The increased revenue will fund several performance enhancements for the 2026/27 fiscal year:
- Faster license processing times
- Backlog elimination
- Liquor licensing portal and tools improvements
Special Considerations
Manufacturers will see increases scaled to their production volume, while retailers and hospitality licensees (e.g. Food Primary, LRS) are charged based on annual liquor purchase/sale amounts. No other licensing fee categories are changing at this time, and annual indexing has not been introduced.
Need a BC Liquor License Renewal? It’s Easier Than You Think!
Thrive Advisors, an experienced BC liquor license consultant, takes the guesswork out of liquor licensing. Our consultants work with licensees at all stages of their business lifecycle. From license applications and updates to compliance audits and operational strategy, we help liquor licensees succeed.
