Apply for a new Off-Licence

Applying for Building & Planning Approval for Licenced Premises

Before you apply for an Off-Licence, you'll need to apply for Building & Planning Approval for Licenced Premises (this doesn't apply to conveyances).

This application will be reviewed by Building Officers and Resource Management Planners to ensure the proposed use of the premises for the sale of alcohol meets the requirements of the Building Act 2004 and Resource Management Act 1991. It must be approved before a new licence application can be processed, however both forms can be submitted at the same time if desired.

The fee for an Application for Building & Planning Approval (previously called a Certificate of Compliance New Liquor Licence) is separate from the new Off-Licence application fee.

Apply online

Application for Building & Planning Approval for Licenced Premises (print version)(PDF, 168KB)

Food Registration

If your business already has a food registration there's no need to do anything. If your business doesn't have a food registration, you'll need to apply for one on our Food Registration page.

If you're applying for a new Off Licence for a bottle store or grocery store (excluding supermarkets), you'll need to provide a statement of projected gross annual sales revenue using the relevant template below. This will need to be completed and signed by a registered Chartered Accountant. 

The statement period must be for the 12 months after the time at which the application for the issue of an Off Licence for the premises is made. 

Statement of Projected Annual Sales Revenue: Bottle Store - New Business Declaration(PDF, 401KB)
Statement of Projected Annual Sales Revenue: Grocery Store - New Business Declaration(PDF, 434KB)

You'll need:

• a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation / Memorandum of Association (only if the application is for a Company, Incorporated Society or Club)
• a letter of consent from the owner of the premises (if you don't own the premises)
• a copy of the lease (if applicable)
• a scale floor plan showing the principal (main) entrance; the area where alcohol will be sold and each area to be designated (Supervised or Restricted) or undesignated; a seating plan of any outdoor areas or footpath area if applicable
• a photo or artist's impression of the principal (main) entrance of the premises
• an aerial map showing the exact location of the premises
• copies of Manager's Certificates for all managers
• a statement of annual sales revenue (grocery stores and bottle stores only)
• a copy of the Host Responsibility Policy to be displayed in your premises
• a copy of a letter from Fire & Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) re the evacuation scheme
• the Building Consent number (if the premises is still under construction)
• your payment information (credit card, debit card or internet banking details for POLi), if you're applying online.

Additional Documentation

In addition to the above, partner agencies (New Zealand Police and Health NZ - Te Whatu Ora) may ask to view your records and registers as part of their compliance checks, including but not limited to:

• Duty, Acting and Temporary Managers registers
• Training register
• Up-to-date alcohol management plan and host responsibility form.

You'll need to be aware of the conditions set out in our Local Alcohol Policy and, in particular, the limits on maximum trading hours for licenced premises.

This policy provides local guidance to the Council’s District Licensing Committee in deciding whether to issue or renew a licence, and enables the District Licensing Committee to:

• limit the location of licensed premises, for example near schools or churches
• limit the number of licensed premises in particular areas
• set the maximum trading hours for licensed premises in the District
• impose or recommend conditions for licences.

The goal of the LAP is to ensure that licensing decisions:

• contribute to Horowhenua being a safe and healthy district
• reflect the values, preferences and needs of the local community
• encourage licensed environments that foster positive, responsible drinking behaviour and minimise alcohol-related harm.

The fee is determined by a cost/risk rating. The cost/risk rating is the sum of the highest applicable score.  A score is determined by the:

• type of premises
• latest alcohol sales time (latest trading hour allowed by licence)
• number of recent enforcement actions.

The total fee payable is made up of the application fee and the annual fee.