[5] 8 - Unlicensed Sale or Service of Alcohol
Operating, managing, or conducting a business that sells, distributes, or serves alcoholic beverages without a valid government-issued alcohol licence, or failing to properly display a required alcohol licence at a licensed premises.
Misdemeanor
Sentence: 180 Seconds
Fine: $1500
Sentence: 180 Seconds
Fine: $1500
Examples:
1. A business continues selling alcoholic beverages after being informed it does not possess a valid or active alcohol licence
2. A venue presents a fake, altered, or invalid alcohol licence to officers during an inspection
3. A business previously warned for failing to provide or display a valid licence continues serving alcohol without correcting the violation
1. A business continues selling alcoholic beverages after being informed it does not possess a valid or active alcohol licence
2. A venue presents a fake, altered, or invalid alcohol licence to officers during an inspection
3. A business previously warned for failing to provide or display a valid licence continues serving alcohol without correcting the violation
Enforcement guidelines
Step 1 — Officer Verification Request proof of a valid alcohol licence. Check that the licence is active and visibly displayed.
Step 2 — Compliance Opportunity (when reasonable) Allow correction if: Licence exists but is not displayed. Operator can reasonably provide proof. Issue a warning or order compliance.
Step 3 — Criminal Enforcement Applies When No valid licence exists. Operator refuses lawful requests for proof. Business continues selling alcohol after notice. Licence is fraudulent, revoked, or intentionally misrepresented. Repeated violations occur.
Step 1 — Officer Verification Request proof of a valid alcohol licence. Check that the licence is active and visibly displayed.
Step 2 — Compliance Opportunity (when reasonable) Allow correction if: Licence exists but is not displayed. Operator can reasonably provide proof. Issue a warning or order compliance.
Step 3 — Criminal Enforcement Applies When No valid licence exists. Operator refuses lawful requests for proof. Business continues selling alcohol after notice. Licence is fraudulent, revoked, or intentionally misrepresented. Repeated violations occur.