Supporting documents for a new alcohol licence application

The scale plan needs to show:

• highlighted areas where alcohol will be sold or supplied
• a seating plan of outdoor areas
• the main entrance
• where the bathrooms are and how many you have
• highlighted areas that are designated restricted or supervised (for example, areas where minors must be with a parent or guardian).

If you don't have a scale plan drawn by an architect or draughtsperson, you can create your own – as long as the features above are clearly marked and the key measurements included.

Include a copy of any map that clearly shows where your premises are located on the street.

You only need to include an artist's impression if you have one and building work is ongoing. Otherwise, include a photo taken outside that clearly shows the front entrance of the premises.

Your application must include both a town planning certificate and a building certificate. You can apply for your town planning and building certificates at the same time. Supporting documents are required.

Town planning and building certificates application form (140KB PDF)

If you are:

• carrying out building work, it shows that you have building consent, and the work is expected to meet the building code when it's finished
• not carrying out any building work, it shows that the existing layout of the premises meets the building code.

Your application must include both a town planning certificate and a building certificate. You can apply for your town planning and building certificates at the same time - the process usually takes about 3 weeks. Supporting documents are required.

Town planning and building certificates application form (291KB PDF)

You need to include a certificate of title that's less than 3 months old with your application. You can order this from Land Information NZ.

Order a record of title – Land Information NZ

The statement must give consent to the same party applying for the alcohol licence and be dated within 3 months of your application.

Building or conveyance owner's consent – template (39KB PDF)

Each of your duty managers must have a current manager's certificate before your licence will be granted.

You need to include copies of any duty manager's certificates that were not issued by Wellington City Council.

Applying for a manager's certificate

Renewing your manager's certificate

To hold an alcohol licence, you must have a host responsibility policy and should provide regular and ongoing staff training.

You must be able to show that you have practical measures in place to prevent problems with intoxication, inappropriate behaviour and the sale of alcohol to minors.

The six elements of a host responsibility policy are:

• preventing intoxication
• not serving alcohol to minors
• providing and actively promoting alternatives, such as low and non-alcoholic beverages
• providing and promoting an appropriate food selection
• serving alcohol responsibly or not at all
• arranging safe transport options.

Alcohol.org.nz has more information and a sample policy.

Host responsibility: guidelines for licensed premises – Alcohol.org.nz

Your security plan needs to show:

• how your staff will deal with incidents (for example, an intoxicated person, a minor trying to purchase alcohol or a fight breaking out)
• how you log incidents and their outcomes
• the security company you employ, if you employ one
• your queue management plan, if your business will need to manage queuing customers.

The complexity of your security plan will depend on the type of business you run – for example, a cafe that sells wine with lunch will have fewer security concerns than a nightclub where long queues form every weekend.

It should include things like:

• your induction plan for new staff
• a plan for training staff in new skills and tasks
• how staff will prevent intoxication and promote responsible drinking.

Staff training for the sale and supply of alcohol – Restaurant Association

As part of your application, you must assess your premises using the CPTED guidelines. A self-assessment checklist is included as part of the application form.

Guidelines for CPTED for licensed premises – Alcohol.org.nz

Your plan must show:

• all the noise sources that apply to your business (for example, amplified music from sound system speakers)
• the levels of noise that will be generated by those sources
• how the noise will be managed (including staff management, business practices, systems, and any supporting documentation).

Your noise management plan must be prepared by an acoustic consultant if:

• you trade past 3am
• you plan to play loud music or hold live performances.

Hospitality NZ has resources for members on how to complete a noise management plan and carry out a noise assessment.

Things to cover in your noise management plan

The plan should include things like:

• how often staff will check the outdoor area
• how the outdoor area will be monitored by staff – for example, is it visible to staff inside the building? Will there be a duty manager based outside?
• how you will prevent people from leaving the premises with alcohol
• whether you'll have security or CCTV monitoring in the area
• details of any noise sources - for example, outdoor speakers
• if the outdoor area is on public land or the footpath, confirmation that you have pavement permission.

Outdoor seating

The statement shows a breakdown of sales revenue for:

• food products
• convenience foods (such as ready-to-eat prepared foods like sandwiches)
• alcohol
• tobacco
• other revenue, such as toiletries, hardware items, newspapers and magazines

It excludes GST, excise duty and excise-equivalent duty on tobacco products.

For existing businesses, the statement should be for a 12-month period that ends no longer than 90 days before the date you apply.

Statement of annual sales revenue – existing business (39KB PDF)

For new businesses, the statement should be for projected sales revenue for the next 12 months.

Statement of annual sales revenue – new business (63KB PDF)