Urgent Update: TESA Authorizations Extended until December 31, 2024!

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,  

 We are pleased to share that the General Manager of the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) is extending the existing Temporary Expanded Service Area (TESA) authorizations to December 31, 2024! 

“Pandemic patios and temporarily extended service areas aren’t just popular with British Columbians,” says ABLE BC Executive Director, Jeff Guignard. “They’ve helped keep BC’s pubs and bars afloat during the toughest of times. Extending the TESA deadline means we can keep serving customers while we catch up on the paperwork needed to make these areas permanent. We’re immensely grateful to our government partners for listening to our needs as we struggle to recover financially from the pandemic.”

 ABLE BC worked in partnership with industry associations such as BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) and Restaurants Canada to secure this extension. We extend our sincere thanks to government for understanding the importance of extending this deadline for industry. 

 TESAs have played a key role in pandemic recovery, enabling thousands of liquor licensees to create or expand outdoor service areas, giving patrons more space to gather. The ongoing stress and pressure of labour shortages, inflation, and pandemic recovery has created a barrier to submitting structural change applications for many licensees. This extension allows your business to get your structural change application in now so you can continue operating your patio without disruption.

 Without this extension, many licensees would be faced with removing their temporary patios just as the busy summer season begins. Now, licensees with temporary patios have enough time to submit structural change applications to make these service areas permanent. 

 If you have built a patio or other extended service area under the TESA authorization, you must apply for a permanent structural changeto make this a permanent fixture of your establishment. 

Structural change applications can take up to 10 months to process, so we strongly encourage you to start the application process now. 

You can find more information on how to apply on the LCRB’s website.

Please note, not all TESA authorizations will be viable permanent patios. Before you apply and pay the fee, it is your responsibility to work with your local government and authorities to make sure the TESA you want to make permanent complies with all local permits, guidelines, bylaws and requirements.

To apply as a Liquor Primary or Food Primary licensee:

  • Log in to the liquor and cannabis licensing portal with a BCeID

  • Go to the "Licences and Authorizations" dashboard and find the licence you want to change

  • Select:

    • "New Outdoor Patio" for an outdoor TESA, or

    • "Structural Change Application" for an indoor TESA

  • Complete the application

If you have questions about your expiring TESA or applying for a permanent structural change, we encourage you to contact a liquor licensing consultant. Check out the  ABLE BC Buyer’s Guide for recommended consultants.

You can reach out to LCRBLiquorPolicy@gov.bc.ca if you have questions about the TESA policy. 

Click here to read more about the TESA deadline extension from the LCRB.

Ann Brydle