Hiring a Security Guard for a Private Event in Ontario

For a private event in Ontario, hire licensed guards through a licensed agency, brief them on guests, entry, alcohol and parking, and check whether your event needs an AGCO Special Occasion Permit. This approach suits weddings, milestone parties, cultural celebrations and other gatherings at homes or rented halls.

Key facts

• Accure Security provides guards and supervisors for private functions, private gatherings and cultural festivals across Ontario.
• An AGCO Special Occasion Permit is needed when liquor is sold or served outside a licensed establishment or a private place such as a residence.
• For an indoor private event, apply for the permit at least 10 days before the event.
• Private events are for invited guests, are not publicly advertised and must not intend to profit from liquor.
• Ontario guards carry a digital licence and must show it to anyone who asks.

When does a private event need security?

A private event may need security when the guest list, venue, alcohol service, arrival plan or valuables create practical risks. Consider security for a wedding, milestone party, cultural celebration or private gathering at a home or rented hall.

Security planning is especially useful when you expect uninvited guests, have several entry points, need support around VIP or backstage areas, or expect a late finish. Parking and traffic support may also matter when guests are unfamiliar with the venue.

Event factor	Planning question
Guests	How will invited guests enter, and how will you handle an uninvited person?
Venue	Which doors, rooms, perimeter areas or backstage spaces need coverage?
Alcohol	Will liquor be served at a residence, rented hall or licensed venue?
Arrival	Where may guests park, and who will direct them there?
Valuables	Do gifts, equipment or VIP areas need attention during the event?

What are the alcohol permit rules for a private event?

Check the AGCO rules before planning alcohol service. A Special Occasion Permit is needed when liquor is sold or served anywhere other than a licensed establishment or a private place such as a residence. Liquor cannot be sold at a residence.

The AGCO Special Occasion Permit guide describes private events as gatherings for invited guests that are not publicly advertised and have no intent to profit from liquor. Examples include wedding receptions, bridal showers, anniversaries, birthdays, baptisms and stag and doe events.

For an indoor private event, apply at least 10 days before the event. The permit holder or responsible person must be present throughout and is responsible for attendee safety. The permit holder must also provide sufficient security. Smart Serve training is recommended by the AGCO, but it is not required.

How do you check a security guard's licence in Ontario?

Check the guard's licence in Ontario's public registry, then ask the guard to show the digital licence if you need to verify it. Also confirm that the business selling guard services holds an agency licence.

Use the Ontario registry

1. Ask for the guard's six- to eight-digit licence number.
2. Search the number in Ontario's public registry.
3. Check the agency by its licence number or legal business name.
4. Ask the guard to show the digital licence, which is the current licence format.

The Ontario government explains the private security and investigative services registry and the rules for licensed agencies. Its security guard licence requirements page confirms that guards carry their licence and show it to anyone who asks.

How should you plan parking and guest arrival?

Agree the parking plan with the venue before the event, and direct guests only to spaces the venue or city allows. Guards can support parking and traffic flow, but they should not create parking permission where none exists.

Give the security team the approved parking areas, entry points and any venue instructions. Use clear directions for guests before arrival. This helps the team distinguish permitted spaces from areas that should remain clear, such as access routes or restricted venue areas.

What should you tell the security company?

Give the security company the event details it needs to assess the coverage. Accure Security asks for the date, venue, attendance estimate, hours, alcohol service, VIP areas, entry points, parking needs and known risk concerns.

Prepare these details

1. Share the event date, venue and estimated attendance.
2. Confirm the start and finish hours.
3. Explain whether alcohol will be served and where.
4. Identify VIP, backstage, gift or other areas that need attention.
5. List every planned entry point and the approved parking arrangements.
6. Describe known concerns, including uninvited guests, valuables or arrival issues.

Accure's event security service includes crowd management, VIP and backstage security, parking and traffic support, perimeter coverage, event stewards, and emergency and organizer communication. You can review the event security service details before you request a discussion. For licence questions, see Accure's guide to questions before hiring licensed security guards.

A simple timeline for the host

Most of the work happens before the day. This order keeps the permit, the guards and the venue in step.

1. When the date and venue are set: decide whether alcohol will be served and where. If a permit is needed for an indoor private event, note the 10-day application deadline.
2. When you book security: send the event details listed above and ask for each guard’s licence number.
3. A week before: confirm entry points, the guest list process and approved parking with the venue and the security company.
4. On the day: walk the entrances and parking areas with the lead guard before guests arrive, and name the family member or organizer the guards should call about a guest.
5. At the end: keep coverage until the last guests and vendors have left and gifts are packed away.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a security guard for a private event in Ontario?

It depends on the event. Consider licensed security when your wedding, milestone party or cultural celebration has alcohol, several entry points, a risk of uninvited guests, gifts or valuables, VIP areas, busy parking or a late finish. If your event needs an AGCO Special Occasion Permit, the permit holder must provide sufficient security, and licensed guards are one way to do that.

Does a private event at a home need an AGCO Special Occasion Permit?

Usually not. A permit is needed when liquor is sold or served anywhere other than a licensed venue or a private place such as a residence, so serving drinks to invited guests at home does not need one. Liquor cannot be sold at a residence, though. Holding the party in a rented hall without a liquor licence is different: then a permit is needed.

How far in advance should I apply for an indoor private-event permit?

Apply at least 10 days before an indoor private event when a Special Occasion Permit is required. The permit holder or responsible person must be present throughout the event and is responsible for attendee safety. The permit holder must also provide sufficient security. Smart Serve training is recommended, but the AGCO says it is not required.

How can I verify a security guard's licence in Ontario?

Ask for the guard's six- to eight-digit licence number and check it in Ontario's public registry. You can check the agency by its licence number or legal business name. Guards carry a digital licence and must show it to anyone who asks. A business that sells guard services also needs an agency licence.

Can security guards direct guests to any available parking space?

No. Agree the parking plan with the venue first, then have guards direct guests only to spaces the venue or city allows. Share approved parking areas, entry points and restricted areas in the event briefing. Guards can support parking and traffic flow, but their directions do not create permission to use an unauthorized space.

Next, share your event date, venue, attendance estimate, hours, alcohol plans, entry points and parking needs through Accure Security's event security page.