Short-term rental business licence changes

Short-term rentals Apply for or renew a business licence

Before you apply

What is a short-term rental?

As of April 1, 2025, a short-term rental means the business of providing temporary accommodation for compensation, in a dwelling unit or portion of a dwelling unit, for periods of up to 180 consecutive days, by advertising or otherwise listing with a Short-Term Rental Company.

Before you apply

Use the checklist and check each application requirement as you prepare to submit your application. Items listed on the checklist are the minimum requirements. We might need more information after we review your application.

Provide all required documents on the checklist, including drawings, supporting material and any additional forms. If you are not sure if something is required, contact the Planning Services Centre

Use sample drawings to review what you need to include on your plans.

Double check your documents are completed and make sure you have all required items on your plans before you upload them.

How much will it cost?

New business licence

  Primary Residence  Non-Primary Residence 
New fee 

$172 

$510 

Fire inspection 

$114 

$114 

Total 

$286 

$624 

Business licence renewal

  Primary Residence  Non-Primary Residence 
Renewal fee 

$131 

$260 

Fire inspection 

$114 

$114 

Total 

$245 

$374 

Apply or renew

Apply online

To apply online, you need a myID account. Create a myID account.

Apply in-person

Complete the application form.

Once you have gathered all required documents, you can apply for your permit in person by visiting the Planning Services Centre.

Renewing your business licence

Short-term rental business licence renewals can be completed 30 days in advance of the renewal date.

  1. Log in to apply.calgary.ca/shorttermrentals with the same personal myID that was used to apply for the licence.
  2. From the dashboard you can:
    • Edit: Update emergency contact information (name, email address and phone number).
    • Renew: Pay for a Short Term Rental Renewal (the button will only be displayed in red when the Renewal process has begun).
    • View Pending Fees: View outstanding fees.
  3. Effective April 1, when renewing your business licence you will need to reclassify your licence category to Primary Residence or Non-Primary Residence.

Business licence categories

Primary Residence Non-Primary Residence

Requirement of owner

You are the owner or have owner authorization and the home is your main dwelling. Proof of residence showing the address is required.

Requirement of owner

You are the owner or have owner authorization, but you do not reside in the home.

Number of bookings

One at a time

Number of bookings

One at a time

People per room

2

People per room

2

Consecutive Days

Up to 180

Consecutive Days

Up to 180

Safety

Fire inspection required

Safety

Fire inspection required

Please note, business licence fees are nonrefundable.

After you apply

The Planning Services Centre may contact you for more information required for your application. Follow-up on requests for more information as quickly as possible. 

How to check the status of your licence

After you submit your application online, you will get a confirmation email with a Job Access Code (JAC).

To track your application and check its status, enter your Job Access Code in Vista.

If you need help or have questions, contact our Planning Services Centre

What are the required approvals?

For new Primary and Non-Primary Residence applications, Fire Inspections must be completed before the licence can be issued.

Once your File Manager has approved your Fire Safety Plan, the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) will contact you directly to book the inspection.

Short-term rental (STR) business licence renewals are now included in the CFD risk-based prioritization model. This model means STR businesses may or may not receive an annual physical fire inspection. The CFD creates a ranked list of properties based on risk and then schedules inspections directly with licence holders.

Calgary Fire Department Safety Approvals

To learn more about fire safety responsibilities for short term rental owners download the latest information on fire code requirements.

Download and review our Fire Safety Escape Plan

Comments, complaints and more information

For compliments or complaints regarding short term rentals, call 311, use the app or go to Calgary.ca/311.

For more information about business licensing, visit: Calgary.ca/myBusiness and Bylaws related to businesses​.

For more on long-term rentals of secondary suites, visit calgary.ca/suites. Or learn more about other housing options, such as lodging housing.