Special Events

Special Event Permits 

The Township of Stone Mills recognizes that Special Events provide economic benefits to the local economy and they enhance the quality of life, tourism, arts and culture, recreation, education, health and wellness in the community.

If you are holding an event in the Township of Stone Mills, where 250 or more individuals will be in attendance, you are required to apply for a Special Event Permit, under By-law 2019-965. This By-law is intended to assist Event Organizers and businesses in planning safe and successful events and to ensure that associated risks to the Township and residents are minimized. 

Complete applications must be submitted at a minimum 30 days prior to the event date and each event should align with the guidelines provided for in By-Law 2019-965. Event organizers are required to complete a Special Event Application Form, available online, and submit it to the Township Clerk along with a $100.00 permit fee and a $1,000.00 security deposit.

It is strongly encouraged that event organizers fully review the Special Event By-law and speak with municipal staff about their event, prior to submitting a completed application. 

Questions about the Special Event By-law can be directed to the Clerks department at clerk@stonemills.com or by calling the municipal office at 613-378-2475 ext. 225.

Events and Consumption of Alcohol 

Municipally Significant Events 

Regardless of the number of attendees, if you are holding an event open to the public and will be selling or serving alcohol, you may require the event to be declared as "Municipally Significant" in order to obtain a Special Occasion Permit (SOP) under the Liquor License Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.L.19, as amended. Please review the Townships Municipally Significant Event Policy to determine if your event qualifies for designation. Event organizers are required to complete a Municipally Significant Application, and 60 days prior to the event. 

Bring Your Own Beverage (BYOB)

The Province of Ontario announced regulatory changes under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 that permit “bring-your-own” alcoholic beverage (BYOB) consumption at certain public events, effective April 30, 2026.

The expanded permit will allow people who attend municipally designated cultural or community outdoor public events to bring their own alcohol for consumption in designated areas. For a bring-your-own permit to be issued, municipalities must have passed a by-law authorizing the use of alcohol in public (if they do not already have one). A municipality must also designate the public event as a cultural or community event. Event organizers can then apply for a bring-your-own permit through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).   

Given the misalignment with the Township’s Municipal Alcohol Policy, resourcing impacts and increased liability and safety risks, Council directed staff at the May 25, 2026 Regular Session of Council not to bring forward a by-law required for permitting “bring your own” alcoholic beverages (BYOB) at outdoor public events within the Township of Stone Mills at this time. Staff will continue to monitor implementation across Ontario and may report back to Council if future consideration is warranted.