Event Security in BC: Permits, AST Requirements, and the 100-Person Threshold
Everything you need to know about staffing crowd security for BC events — from a 50-person wedding to a 10,000-person festival.
Where AST becomes mandatory
Advanced Security Training is required for officers working licensed premises and larger crowd-facing events. Most BC municipalities require AST-endorsed officers for any event serving alcohol above 100 attendees. Confirm with your event permit officer.
Ratios that actually work
For alcohol-serving events, plan 1 officer per 100 attendees minimum, with a floor of 3 officers. For general-admission concerts, closer to 1:75. For VIP-heavy corporate events, 1:50. These are staffing floors, not ceilings.
The pre-event walk-through
Two weeks out at minimum. Cover ingress, egress, first-aid station placement, radio coverage, staging security, VIP routes, and post-event escorted egress. Skip the walk and you're operating blind.
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