Manage your business

Business licence renewals

Renewing a business license

To remain active, business licences require an annual renewal payment. We will mail an invoice to you before payment is due, giving 45 days advance notice. Your payment method determines when we receive the funds, so please allow sufficient processing time.

If a licence is not renewed, it will expire. When a licence expires, it cannot be reinstated, and full fees will be charged to apply for a new licence.

As part of The City’s efforts to accelerate the business license approvals process, customers with a myID business account can receive a digital copy of their business licence via email. This is available to customers applying for a new business licence or renewing an existing licence. To learn more about the benefits of a myID business account and to sign-up today, please visit myID business account (calgary.ca). 

Currently, there is no change to individuals who need a personal identification card for their licence. We’re working on a digital option and will notify you when this service is available. 

Payment options:

Online renewal
To renew your licence online, sign into your myID business account and manage your business at apply.calgary.ca​.

If you do not have a myID business account, you will have to create one first.

In person
Planning Services Centre
Third floor, Municipal Building
800 Macleod Tr S.E. Calgary, Alberta

Over the phone
To renew your licence over the phone, please call (403) 268-5311. Please note, we only accept credit card as a payment method over the phone.

Mail - please include Business ID
The City of Calgary
Licence Division
PO Box 2100 Station M (#8108)
Calgary, AB T2P 2M5

Business licence fees

When setting up a new licence, applicable fees apply. Fees are based on the licence type and whether the business is home-based or commercial-based. Business licence fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Fees are subject to change the next calendar year.

Business Licence Fee Schedule

Home Occupation Class 2 renewals

To renew your Home Occupation Class 2, sign into your myID business account and manage your business online at apply.calgary.ca​. If you do not have a myID business account, you will have to create one first.​

Business licence renewals

Renewing a business license

To remain active, business licences require an annual renewal payment. We will mail an invoice to you before payment is due, giving 45 days advance notice. Your payment method determines when we receive the funds, so please allow sufficient processing time.

If a licence is not renewed, it will expire. When a licence expires, it cannot be reinstated, and full fees will be charged to apply for a new licence.

As part of The City’s efforts to accelerate the business license approvals process, customers with a myID business account can receive a digital copy of their business licence via email. This is available to customers applying for a new business licence or renewing an existing licence. To learn more about the benefits of a myID business account and to sign-up today, please visit myID business account (calgary.ca). 

Currently, there is no change to individuals who need a personal identification card for their licence. We’re working on a digital option and will notify you when this service is available. 

Payment options:

Online renewal
To renew your licence online, sign into your myID business account and manage your business at apply.calgary.ca​.

If you do not have a myID business account, you will have to create one first.

In person
Planning Services Centre
Third floor, Municipal Building
800 Macleod Tr S.E. Calgary, Alberta

Over the phone
To renew your licence over the phone, please call (403) 268-5311. Please note, we only accept credit card as a payment method over the phone.

Mail - please include Business ID
The City of Calgary
Licence Division
PO Box 2100 Station M (#8043)
Calgary, AB T2P 2M5

Business licence fees

When setting up a new licence, applicable fees apply. Fees are based on the licence type and whether the business is home-based or commercial-based. Business licence fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Fees are subject to change the next calendar year.

Business Licence Fee Schedule

Home Occupation Class 2 renewals

To renew your Home Occupation Class 2, sign into your myID business account and manage your business online at apply.calgary.ca​. If you do not have a myID business account, you will have to create one first.​

Moving or changing addresses

Apply to move your business

Location

If you are considering moving your business there are many factors that can impact your decision. The Planning Services Centre can help you determine if a location is suitable for your business and what approvals you may need for the new site.

When you are ready to apply to move your business:

• Apply online at apply.calgary.ca by signing into your myID Business account. If you do not have a myID business account, you will have to create one first.

OR

• Visit us in person at the Planning Services Centre​.

Fees

Business licences and approvals are location-specific. When you move a business, it is treated like a new licence application with new approvals and inspections. There is no base licence fees for a move, but fees will be charged for applicable planning, fire, and police approvals.​

2024 Business Licence Fee Schedule

Change of mailing address, no change of physical location

If you are only changing your mailing address and not the physical location, an update can be done to your business licence free of charge:

• Apply online at apply.calgary.ca by signing into your myID Business account. If you do not have a myID business account, you will have to create one first.

OR

• Visit us in person at the Planning Services Centre​.

Business name or ownership change

Please notify us if your business changes ownership. In some instances, a new business licence is required.

Please advise of changes through one of these two options:

• Manage your business online by signing into your myID Business account at apply.calgary.ca. If you do not have a myID business account, you will have to create one first.
• Visit us in person at the Planning Services Centre​.

Adding/removing a partner

If you are adding or removing a partner from an existing partnership, the business is required to submit a letter signed by all owners.

Adding/removing a director

When a director is added to or deleted from a corporation, the customer must provide a copy of a corporate registry search showing the current directors or a copy of the filed notice of directors obtained from an Alberta Registry.

Amalgamation

An amalgamation is the merging of two or more businesses into a single legal entity or ownership. This requires a copy of the Certificate of Amalgamation, including the registry forms, to ensure the change is current.

Purchased/sold a business (change of ownership)

When a business changes ownership, the existing business licence must be closed and a new one must be created for the new owner. The individual(s) purchasing the business are required to set up a new licence​. The individual(s) selling the business must close their licence.

Corporate entity name change (amendment)

When a corporate entity legally changes (amends) its name, The City requires a copy of the Certificate of Amendment.

Corporation is formed (incorporation) or dissolved

Home-based business only:

If a sole proprietor changes to a corporation (and is the only director) or a partnership changes to a corporation (and those partners become the only directors), copies of the certificate of incorporation showing the directors must be provided to The City.

If a home-based corporation is dissolved to a sole proprietor or a partnership, with the corporate director(s) forming the new owners, documentation showing the changes must be provided to The City, to update the business licence.

Commercial-based business only:

If a sole proprietor or partnership changes to a corporation, a new business licence is required. All associated approvals and inspections for the business location and all applicable fees are required to obtain the new licence.

If a commercial-based corporation is dissolved, a new business licence is required. All associated approvals and inspections for the business location and all applicable fees are required to obtain the new licence.

Corporation taken over

Takeover means acquiring control of a corporation by stock purchase or exchange. The directors and shareholders may or may not change.

This includes corporations that add the year to its corporate title. For example, 123456 Alberta Ltd. is a different corporate entity than 123456 Alberta (1996) Ltd.

This also includes a completely different corporation taking over another. For example, Coal Inc. is taken over by a new owner, Coal Springs Investments Inc. This is a new ownership and a new business.

The existing business licence must be closed and a new one must be created for the new owner. The individual(s) purchasing the business are required to set up a new licence and the individual(s) selling the business must close the business licence.

Trade name change

Changes to a trade name do not require a new licence, as long as ownership remains the same.

​

If your licence is lost or damaged and you require a new copy, duplicate licences can be requested through apply.calgary.ca/managebusiness or by contacting the Planning Services Centre​.​ Customers with a myID business account can now receive a duplicate copy of their business licence via email.

For customers who prefer to receive a mailed copy of their business licence, they can select this option by requesting a duplicate copy online or by calling the Planning Services Centre​ paper duplicates are offered free of charge at this time. Please allow about two weeks to receive your licence in the mail. If you have not received it within this timeframe, please contact the Planning Services Centre​.

Inspections may be required as part of the initial licence approval. If you are in a commercial business location, a business licence fire inspection will be required by the Fire Prevention Bureau. Certain commercial businesses, based on activities, will also require a mechanical inspection for the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to ensure adequate ventilation. If your business deals with food for human consumption, or products/services relating to human health, you may need an inspection by Alberta Health Services. Certain licences may also require a licence inspector or a police officer to inspect the business location.

After the licence is issued, subsequent annual inspections may be carried out by any one of the regulatory bodies. Unscheduled inspections may also be initiated by public concern or at the discretion of the licence inspectors.

For specific requirements for your business, including those not covered here, please visit calgary.ca/mybusiness or contact the Planning Services Centre.

Businesses that operate from commercial premises require a Fire Prevention Bureau inspection before a licence can be issued. The licence must have been applied for and a unique business identification (BID) number is required to book the inspection. Contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at least five business days prior to your open date to arrange for the inspection. The Fire Prevention Bureau will notify the licence division with the results of the inspection.

This inspection must be completed by the Fire Prevention Bureau inspectors. A business licence cannot be issued on the basis of an inspection completed by the firefighting division.

A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system safety inspection ensures that it meets code requirements. This inspection is based on business activities. It may require you to install a ventilation system if there is none or upgrade the existing system if it is inadequate.

The Calgary Police Service conducts a security check for certain licence types. To complete a security check, business owners or directors must provide their full name, address, birth date and proof of identification (government-issued photo identification and one other form of identification). This approval takes about two weeks to complete.

When a police check is required, approval is automatically initiated and completed by the Calgary Police Service. A prior police check, or one from another police agency cannot be used to replace this one.

All businesses in Calgary require land use approval. Each space in a building has its own specified, approved use. The use of that space cannot be changed without an approval, permit or both. The Planning Services Centre can help you find out what type of planning approval is required for your business.

Certain business activities, such as payday lenders, prepaid contractors and direct sellers, require provincial licensing. These are governed by the province and the licence application and requirements are the responsibility of the business applying. Please visit Service Alberta consumer licences or call 1-877-427-4088.

You can present your provincial licence in person at the Planning Services Centre, fax it directly to the Business Licence Division at 403-537-3034 or email licencedivisionteam@calgary.ca.

Businesses involved in the sale, preparation, manufacturing or storage of food products must have the location inspected by Alberta Health Services (AHS). The results of the inspection will be provided to the licence division.

If you have contacted AHS and they have advised you that your business does not require a health inspection, record the name and phone number of the individual you spoke with and provide it to our Planning Services Centre.

The AGLC administers the regulations and policies relating to alcohol and gaming in the province. Businesses associated with alcohol licences or involved in gaming should contact the AGLC to obtain proper provincial licensing, in addition to any City licence.

Certain motor vehicle business activities require provincial licensing. Contact the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) for details on obtaining your provincial licence. AMVIC requires City planning approval before issuing an AMVIC licence. Once you’ve obtained your AMVIC licence, present it in person at the Planning Services Centre, fax it directly to 403-537-3034 or email licencedivisionteam@calgary.ca.

At the time of your business licence application, you will be told what inspections and approvals are required based on what type of business you are operating and from what location.

• Planning Services Centre - 403-268-5311
  • Discuss licencing and land use approval requirements.
  • Building permit (where applicable) and occupancy permit requirements.
  • Update on external inspections (Alberta Health Services, Service Alberta, AMVIC).
• Calgary Fire Department - Fire Prevention Bureau (contact via 311 or 403-268-2489)
  • Book your business licence fire inspection (when in a commercial business location). Visit the fire inspections and investigations page for information on what is inspected and required.
• Building Regulations HVAC Inspections (call 403-268-5311)
  • Book HVAC inspection for your business.

• Service Alberta - 1-877-427-4088 (Toll Free)
  • Certain businesses require provincial licensing prior to a municipal licence being issued. A full list of provincial consumer licences and their requirements can be found at Service Alberta.
• Alberta Health Services - 1-833-476-4743
  • Contact for health inspections, kitchen/cooking requirements and sanitary standards.
• Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission (AGLC) - 403-292-7300
  • Contact for liquor licences.
• Alberta Motor Vehicle industry Council (AMVIC) - 1-877-979-8100
  • Contact for motor vehicle related licensing and regulations.

A licence inspector may fine a business or suspend its licence if found to be operating without a licence, operating contrary to licence conditions or failing to fulfill licence requirements. A licence inspector can also issue a violation ticket that requires a court appearance from the business owner.

Licence violation tickets (i.e. licence fines) can be mailed to The Provincial Court of Alberta:

Provincial Court of Alberta, Calgary Court Centre
Suite 203S, 601 5 St. S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P 5P7

NOTE: Cheques must be made payable to The Provincial Court of Alberta.

Penalties for licence violations and the minimum fines can be found in the applicable Business Licence Bylaw.

Licence review hearings are held for non-recommendations, alleged breaches of The City’s business licence bylaws, including inappropriate behaviour, breaches of statutes, criminal activity or ongoing complaints. The outcome may result in licence refusal, conditions, revocation or suspension.

To appeal a licence review hearing decision, such as refusal to grant a licence, imposed conditions, revocation or suspension of a licence, file an appeal to the Calgary Licence and Community Standards Appeal Board for a public hearing on the issue.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Please let The City know if you are no longer operating, intend to close, or have sold your business. If a licence is not renewed, it will expire. Once a licence expires, it cannot be reinstated, and full fees will be charged for a new licence.​​