Variation of existing liquor licence

Before you make an application

While you are applying for a licence, you may need our advice. Please get in touch and make an appointment at least a day in advance to see us.

You should apply to Hutt City Council (your local District Licensing Agency) only if your business is based within the boundaries of Lower Hutt. This includes Wainuiomata, Petone and Eastbourne.

Apply for Certificate of Use

You will have to get a Certificate of Use from us prior to making a liquor licence application. This certificate is required to be attached to your liquor licence application.

1. To make an application for Certificate of Use, fill in the following form:
   Application for a Certificate of Use (PDF 82kb)
2. Submit the appropriate fee for your application.

A Certificate of Use will not be granted for the following reasons:

• If the use of the premise needs a resource consent and it has not been granted
• If there is a pending Code Compliance Certificate to be issued for the building

Make an application

All liquor licence applications and supporting documentation need to be sent to us in triplicate, on A4 or A3 sized paper only. Documents must not be bound.

1. When you are ready to make an application, you will need to fill in the following form:
   Variation of existing liquor licence form (PDF 114kb)
2. If you are applying for a variation at time of your renewal use the following form:
   Application for renewal form (PDF 291kb)
3. Submit your new Certificate of Use along with your application. If you haven’t got one, apply for it:
   Certificate of Use form (PDF 82kb)
4. You must also submit the following forms along with your application:
   Form to advertise for renewals or variations (PDF 123kb)
   Public Notice form (PDF 103kb)

Public notification

Once we have checked both the public notification forms, you are required to:

• Notify the Hutt News – advertised on two separate days
• Put public notification up on your premises (shop window)

As soon as both your advertisements have been published in the Hutt News, you need to send us the newspaper page with the public notice in it.

Processing your application

Once we have received your completed application, we obtain reports from Police and Regional Public Health. We approve your application if no objection is received. If objections are received, the file is sent to the Liquor Licensing Authority, and your application may require a hearing.

How long will it take?

For a Variation Certificate, it will take four to six weeks for uncontested applications. If the application is contested, the applications become subject to the Liquor Licensing Authority schedule.

How much does it cost?

Look up fees and charges to see what your licence may cost.