Variation or cancellation of licence conditions
Variation or cancellation of licence conditions
All alcohol licences come with conditions that the licence holder must comply with. Conditions can be general and apply to all businesses or they can be specific to the business. A common example of a licence condition is the licenced business hours.
A variation application is used where the licence holder wishes to vary or cancel an existing licence condition. Common examples might include:
- A variation to licenced hours
- A change in the licenced area of the business
- Removal of a licence designation
- Modification of a specific condition
- A change in the designated single alcohol area
Applicants for variations will need to specify what application they are proposing to vary or cancel and be able to provide compelling reasons why they want the change. Applicants may be contacted for additional information depending on the nature of the application.
Fees for Licence Variations
Section 3(b) of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Fees) Regulations 2013 specifies that the usual application fee applies to licence variations (based on the business risk profile). This will mean that the business will not need to pay the annual fee (unless it is due at the same time) to make the application.
Public Notification of Variations
Variations are subject to the same public notification requirements as licence renewals due to their potential impact on the locality. For more information on public notification requirements see the public notification requirements on our application guide at link
In general, the application for variation will be displayed on Taupō District Councils website at (applications page) for at least 10 days, however the general public will have 25 working days to object to the application.
In some cases, the applicant may be required to advertise the variation in a newspaper in the same manner as a new application. This will depend on the risk rating of the business as well as the nature of the variation. If this is required a copy of the required notice will be provided to the applicant.
Reporting Agency Opposition
Variation and cancellation of conditions applications are referred to all reporting agencies who have the standard 15 working days to provide a report on the application. The applicant will be advised if there are any agency oppositions to their application. For more information see our website page on Objections, Oppositions and Hearings page
Variations with Alcohol Licence Renewals
Alcohol licences that have renewals pending are able to combine their renewal application with a variation or cancellation of conditions. To request a variation of conditions applicants should indicate this when prompted in the licence renewal application. A separate variation application is not required.
Licenced Periods for Varied Licences
For variation applications received during the current licenced period the variation will have no impact on the licenced period and the licence expiry will remain the same. For variation applications submitted as part of the renewal process the licence expiry date will be renewed at a period specified by the District Licensing Committee. This is typically 3 years, but may be less if deemed appropriate by the DLC.
Start your application
To make an application for a Variation or Cancellation of a Licence Condition please download this application form, complete it and send it to alcohollicensing@taupo.govt.nz
Note that you only need to submit this application if varying conditions outside of a licence renewal. To vary your licence with a renewal please indicate this in the standard alcohol licence renewal online application form.
