A new pilot project by the City of Vancouver is getting rid of some of the bureaucratic hassle required for people to put on cultural events and live shows.
The arts and culture indoor event pilot program, recently approved by city council, is meant to make it cheaper and easier for gatherings to take place in non-traditional venues such as artist studios, rehearsal spaces, warehouses, retail outlets and art galleries. Previously, the citys building bylaw required organizers holding any kind of event to meet the strictest building safety standards, making it difficult to impossible for arts groups to hold small events or live performances legally and forcing many party-planners to go off the books and underground.
The new regulations, which city council will review again in 2015, will allow gatherings up of up to 250 people in most non-residential spaces located on the first storey or basement level of buildings and where there is a fire sprinkler system, no hazardous industrial activity and the floor is either concrete or professionally certified. Fire safety standards remain unchanged, and only two gathering per month are permitted at the same address. Events with 30 people or less dont need a license.
The city recommends applying at least two weeks beforehand or six weeks if booze is involved.
Special separate permits are still required if food or alcohol will be served and are available from, respectively, Vancouver Coastal Health and the B.C. Liquor Control and Licensing Branch. Email [email protected] or call 604-873-7954 for more information.
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