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Applying for an alcohol licence

Find out which alcohol licence you need, how to apply for a new licence, renew an existing one, or get a temporary authority for existing licensed premises.

Alcohol licensing shutdown period | New licence applications | Renewing your licence | Applying for or renewing your licence | Licensing support | Temporary authority order | Special licence applications | Related links

Alcohol licensing shutdown period

Statutory alcohol licensing shutdown period

A nationwide statutory shutdown period for alcohol licensing runs from 20 December 2023 to 15 January 2024. This is because the working days for the statutory processing time requirements do not include the period from 20 December to 15 January, under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012. 

This also affects the 25-day public notice period, as these days are not counted as part of the objection period.

The District Licensing Committee will not be considering applications during this period. These days will not be counted as working days for receiving applications.

Application deadlines

For a licence or managers’ certificate to be issued prior to Christmas, applications must be lodged with Council as follows:

  • Special Licence (for events planned up until end February 2024) – 17 November 2023
  • New Manager's Certificate – 17 November 2023
  • Temporary Authority – 24 November 2023
  • New Licence – 10 November 2023.

Unforeseen circumstances

Special licence applications for unforeseen events can still be made and considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact Council to discuss your needs if you miss the application close-off dates.

Renewals over shutdown period

  • Application for renewal of a manager's certificate can be made at any time prior to its expiry.
  • Application for renewal of an On, Off or Club Licence must still be lodged at least 20 working days prior to expiry.
  • Renewal applications won't be completed until after 15 January 2024.

As long as the renewal application has been lodged on time, the licence or manager's certificate continues in force until the renewal application has been determined, even if this is past the expiry date.

New licences

If you want to sell or supply alcohol you must hold a current alcohol licence. There are three types of alcohol licences:

  • On Licence: allows for the sale/supply of alcohol for consumption 'on the premises', such as a tavern, bar, hotel, cafe, restaurant or entertainment venue.
  • Off Licence: allows for the sale/supply of alcohol for consumption 'off the premises', such as a bottle store or supermarket.
  • Club Licence: allows for the sale/supply of alcohol for consumption on club premises to members of the club, their guests and members of clubs with reciprocal visiting rights.
You can't transfer a licence from a previous owner's name.

Once you've selected the type of alcohol licence required, you need to:

  1. Apply for the certificates of compliance with the Building Act 2004 and the Kāpiti Coast District Plan. These certificates must be submitted with your new licence application.
  2. Complete the licence application form.
  3. Make an appointment to meet with the Licensing Inspector, if you feel it would be helpful, to explain your application, discuss any issues and to ensure your application is complete. They will help you with every step of the process, so contact us for advice and/or an appointment.
  4. Submit payment of the fees along with your application. An application for a licence will not be formally accepted if it is not complete or the fee has not been paid.

Renewing your licence

Alcohol licences are issued for a probationary period of one year. After that, they must be renewed every three years.

Renewal applications should be lodged at least 20 working days before the expiry date. If your licence expires you will not be able to sell alcohol and will have to apply for a new alcohol licence.

Remember, you may find it helpful to make an appointment to meet with the Licensing Inspector in order to explain your application, discuss any issues and to ensure your application is complete. They will assist you with every step of the process, so contact us for advice and/or an appointment.

Applying for or renewing your licence

You can apply for a licence using our Word form.

If you need help, contact us and ask to speak to an alcohol licensing officer. We can also make an appointment to discuss your application.

  1. Complete the appropriate form.
  2. Lodge these forms with Council. You can do this:
    – by email (to [email protected])
    – in person at one of our service centres.

    Application forms

    All documents are in PDF and available for download or print from the links below.

    Licensing support

    Before an alcohol licence can be issued for new premises/changes to existing premises, you must ensure compliance with the regulations of other Council departments.

    To assist you with the planning and implementation of your new venture, make an appointment with Council's Business Start-up Group. The group can help you get an overview of the Council requirements.

    More information about Council requirements can be found on the pages listed below:

    • Resource consents - location of your proposed business, zoning, parking requirements and advertising.
    • Building control - construction requirements, building consents, access for people with disabilities and project information.
    • Environmental health - food safety and compliance with the Food Act 2014.

    Temporary authority order

    If you are taking over premises with an existing On or Off Licence you will need to arrange for a Temporary Authority Licence while your own full licence application is processed.

    Special licence applications

    A Special licence allows for the sale/supply of alcohol to any person attending an event or gathering, such as a private function, street party, sporting event, music event or charitable function.

    Applications must be submitted at least 20 working days before the event or gathering. There are some exceptions to this rule such as for a funeral but not for pre-planned events, so get your application in as soon as possible.

    Once you have completed the relevant application form you must submit the documentation and required fee. Your application will not be formally accepted until you have completed the application in full and paid the appropriate fee.

    Application forms

    All documents are in PDF and available for download or print from the links below.

    Find out what you need to know about planning your event on our Events page.