Open a restaurant or brewery
Before you apply
Do you need to register your business?
We encourage all businesses operating in Calgary to register their business with The City of Calgary.
All businesses operating from a location in Calgary are required to obtain location approval for their business, even if a licence is not required. Location approval helps ensure that the space you are operating has been approved for your business and is safe for all occupants.
If your business requires a business licence, registration will occur at the same time as applying for your licence. If you wish to register your business with the City of Calgary, please apply online.
Do you need a business licence?
Yes. All businesses that prepare, sell, or allow on-site consumption of food or alcohol require a business licence.
Examples of Restaurant and Brewery businesses that need a licence:
- Bakeries
- Bars and Pubs
- Breweries, Micro-breweries, Brewpubs
- Butcher shops
- Coffee shops
- Delicatessens
- Food court vendors
- Ice cream parlours
- Lounges and Nightclubs
- Shisha and hookah bars
- Take-out and fast food
If you don’t know if your business requires a business licence, contact the Planning Services Centre for assistance.
What are your business activities?
Your business activities will determine what's required to open your business:
- if you need a business licence
- what licence types you need
- what permits you may need
Examples of different licence types you may need:
| Example | Licence types |
|---|---|
| If you plan to brew or distill alcohol at the premises |
You will need an Alcohol Beverage Manufacture licence |
| If you will only be serving food |
You will need a Food Services – Premises licence |
| If you will be serving both food and alcohol |
You will need a Food Services – Premises licence and an Alcohol Beverage Sales licence |
These licence types will be generated as part of your application when you apply. You do not need to apply for them separately.
If your business fits into more than one licence type, you do not need to get multiple approvals. For example, you only need one Fire inspection even if it is required by all of your different licence types.
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Business Experience Representatives
Did you know we have a dedicated team of Business Experience Representatives, who will help business owners work through the regulatory process of opening a restaurant or brewery business in Calgary?
-
Opening a Restaurant and Brewery
March 15, 2022The City of Calgary presents a webinar on everything you need to know about opening a Restaurant & Brewery in Calgary.
Watch our recorded Q&A on things to consider before starting your business, what permits are required to open a restaurant or brewery, how to apply for a business licence, why you need city inspections and some of the most common inspection issues identified during the process.
Review wastewater bylaw requirements
All businesses preparing or producing food in the City of Calgary are required to have a properly sized grease interceptor as per Wastewater Bylaw 14M2012.
Grease interceptors are designed to separate and remove fats, oils & grease (FOG) from wastewater before it goes into the wastewater system. More than one grease interceptor may be required depending on your business. For a grease interceptor to work properly, regular cleaning and maintenance is required, and businesses must keep records of this to ensure they are in compliance with Wastewater Bylaw 14M2012. Keeping fats, oils and grease out of the wastewater system helps to prevent costly and inconvenient wastewater system blockages that can affect your business.
Wastewater Bylaw and Fines for Non-compliances are:
| Bylaw section | Description | Specified penalty |
|---|---|---|
|
27 (1)(a) |
Failing to install a FOG interceptor |
$2000 |
|
27 (1)(b) |
Failing to monitor, operate, properly maintain and clean each FOG interceptor |
$1500 |
|
26 (4)(b) |
Failing to maintain a maintenance schedule and record of each maintenance for the FOG interceptor for a period of 2 years |
$500 |
|
27 (4) |
Using emulsifiers, enzymes, bacteria, solvents, hot water or other agent or product to facilitate the passage of FOG through an interceptor |
$1000 |
|
43 (6) |
Failing to comply with a remedial order |
$1000 |
How much does a business licence cost?
When setting up a new licence, applicable fees apply. Fees are based on the type of licence you need and whether your 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 | New licence | Fire | Planning* | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | $172 | $114 | $286 |
| Fee schedule | New licence | Fire | Planning | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
$172 | $114 | $41 | $327 |
How do you pay for your licence?
You need to pay for your licence when you submit your application. If you are applying online, you can pay using apply.calgary.ca.
What permits do you need?
Understanding what approvals will be required will help ensure you will be able to open your business with ease and on time. Your business may require Planning Approval or Building Safety Approval, or both in order to be approved to operate from your selected location.
These approvals are based on:
- the location of the business,
- the proposed business activities
- how the space was used before your business.
To learn more about what permits you may need, see the location approval section.
How long will it take to process your application?
To avoid delays, ensure your application includes all the required documents, plans and information.
TIP
Do not sign your lease agreements until you have checked your location approval. We recommend applying for your location approval and building safety approvals before applying for your licence.
Commercial based location timelines
If you require a Tenancy Change
If you require a Building Permit
If you require a Development Permit and a Building Permit
What is the name of your business?
A business name, or trade name, is used to represent your business to the public. You may wish to register your trade name with the province. Read more in Opening a business in Calgary: Register your Trade Name.
Who will own the business?
- Sole proprietor – one person owns the business
- Partnership – agreement between two or more people or companies
- Corporation – a legal entity that is separate from its owners, the shareholders
Where is your business located?
All businesses need to provide a location that is approved for their specific business activities. Review the location approval section to make sure your business activities are allowed at your chosen location.
If you’re running your business from more than one location, you need a separate business licence for each location. Each location may require a different combination of permits to satisfy your location approval requirement.
| Example | Type of use |
|---|---|
| If you will restrict minors |
Your business will be considered a drinking establishment |
| If you offer take-out only |
Your business will be considered a take-out food service |
| If you will have VLTs (video lottery terminals) |
Your business will be considered a drinking establishment |
| If you will have a dance floor or space for entertainment |
Most uses allow for up to 10 square meters of the public area to be used for entertainment purposes. If your entertainment space will be larger than 10 square metres, your business will be considered a night club |
Location approval
Commercial based location
Your business will be run from a commercial or industrial location in Calgary.
Planning and Building Safety approvals
What is planning approval?
Part of your location approval confirms that your business is allowed to operate from your chosen location. The Land Use Bylaw specifies a list of allowable uses for each land use district based on what the intent is for that location, which will be listed as either permitted or discretionary. If the use is not listed in a land use district, the business will not be allowed to operate from that location.
Permitted or Discretionary? What’s the difference?
In the Land Use Bylaw, ”uses” are defined as either being Permitted or Discretionary in a Land Use District. Below are definitions for each term.
Permitted means that, if a “use” meets all the rules of the bylaw, it must be approved. The uses listed as permitted were intended for this location and have little to no impact on the surrounding community.
Permitted with Relaxation means a “use” that is permitted but requires a relaxation of one of more bylaw rules. Evaluations are done on a case-by-case basis to determine if the relaxation is appropriate and how it impacts the surrounding community.
Discretionaryuse means that the “use” needs to be reviewed and is evaluated against several factors including applicable policies, appropriateness of the location, the compatibility of the “use” with others in the surrounding area, access, parking, servicing, and sound planning principles. Each submission is reviewed on its own merit at the time of application as discretionary “uses” have a higher impact on the surrounding community.
How your business operates will determine what use or uses best fit your business. Types of planning approval include Tenancy Change, Permitted Change of Use, Permitted with Relaxation Change of Use, and Discretionary Change of Use.
What is building safety approval?
Your business will also be reviewed for safe operations. Based on how the commercial building is constructed and the types of tenants it is designed for, a building will have a classification and occupancy based on the National Building Code – Alberta Edition.
Even if you are not planning any construction or changes to the space, the change in business activities may require a building permit application to review the safety of the space and bring it into compliance with the National Building Code – Alberta Edition. If required, you will need to apply for a Building Permit.
TIP
Before you lease a space, it’s important to determine if the use or uses are listed at a proposed business location, if a use isn’t listed in a land use district, it’s not allowed in that district.
If a use is not listed, you could apply for a Land Use Redesignation, or look for another location for your business.
Look up your land use district on the listed use matrix to determine if your proposed business activities are listed in your district.
How will you occupy the space?
Once you’ve confirmed your business activities are a listed use in a Land Use District, you need to determine how you will be occupying the space, to see which permits you might need to satisfy your Location Approval.
Contact the Planning Services Centre if you are not sure what approvals your business will require from your chosen location.
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There was a different business using this space and now your business will be taking over, OR you are a new tenant, but you will be sharing the space with an existing tenant
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You are the first tenant going into a unit in a new building.
-
You are an existing tenant. You have pre-existing approval for this space, but are making changes to operations
You are taking over a previously occupied space
There was a different business using this space and now your business will be taking over, OR you are a new tenant, but you will be sharing the space with an existing tenant.
You will need one or more of the following:
- Tenancy Change: how the space is used is not changing, but the tenant is changing or taking over the existing business with no changes. For example: Retail to Retail. No construction is being done.
- New: A Tenancy Change may also be required if only the use of the space is changing and that use is listed as a permitted in the following districts: C-N1, C-N2, C-C1, C-C2, C-COR1, C-COR2, C-COR3, C-O, C-R1, C-R2, C-R3, CC-MHX, CC-X, CC-COR, CR20-C20/R20, CC-ET, CC-EIR, CC-EMU, CC-EPR, CC-ERR, CC-ER, MU-1 and MU-2, I-B, I-C or I-G. If there are other changes to the space, a development permit may still be required.
- New: A Tenancy Change may also be required if only the use of the space is changing and that use is listed as a permitted in the following districts: C-N1, C-N2, C-C1, C-C2, C-COR1, C-COR2, C-COR3, C-O, C-R1, C-R2, C-R3, CC-MHX, CC-X, CC-COR, CR20-C20/R20, CC-ET, CC-EIR, CC-EMU, CC-EPR, CC-ERR, CC-ER, MU-1 and MU-2, I-B, I-C or I-G. If there are other changes to the space, a development permit may still be required.
- Development Permit: use of the space is changing, for example: Retail to Restaurant. However, you may only need a Tenancy Change if how you will be using the space is listed as permitted in one of the following districts: C-N1, C-N2, C-C1, C-C2, C-COR1, C-COR2, C-COR3, C-O, C-R1, C-R2, C-R3, CC-MHX, CC-X, CC-COR, CR20-C20/R20, CC-ET, CC-EIR, CC-EMU, CC-EPR, CC-ERR, CC-ER, MU-1 and MU-2, I-B, I-C or I-G districts.
- Building Permit: you will be doing construction, or the space needs to be reviewed for safety and be brought into compliance with the National Building Code – Alberta Edition.
- Trade Permits: may be required if plumbing, electrical or HVAC work is required.
This is a new building, and you will be the first tenant in the space
If you are the first tenant going into a unit in a new building you will need:
- Building Permit: new buildings will have approval for the base building. A building permit is required for the individual tenant fittings needed to complete the space.
Trade Permits: are needed for plumbing, electrical or HVAC work within your individual unit.
You may need:
- Development Permit: new building owners will get approval for the base building and new businesses often require a separate development permit for their business.
You are currently occupying the space and changing your business activities
You are an existing tenant. You have pre-existing approval for this space, but are making changes to operations
You may need one or more of the following:
- Tenancy Change: to confirm if the proposed new business activities will match the existing approvals.
- Development Permit: if you’re changing the way the space is being used, you may need a Development Permit.
- Building Permit: if you will be doing construction, or the changes require a building safety review to confirm compliance with the National Building Code – Alberta Edition.
- Trade Permits: may be required if plumbing, electrical or HVAC work is being done or is required to satisfy Safety Code Requirements.
Contact the Planning Services Centre if you are unsure if the changes in operations will require new approvals.
What different types of permits might be required?
Development Permit
You may need a development permit to operate from your preferred location if your proposed business activities do not match the current approved use. This is called a change of use development permit. You may need a development permit for other reasons, including some exterior and interior changes to the space.
Sometimes, even if your business is listed as permitted, your business activities require a relaxation to the bylaw rules. This is considered permitted with relaxation change of use and takes longer to process than a permitted change of use.
Contact the Planning Services Centre if you are unsure if the changes in operations will require new approvals.
How to apply
You can apply for your Change of Use Development Permit before, at the same time as, or after your business licence (Licence) application. We recommend applying before your Licence.
Checklists
Sample drawings
Review the sample drawings to help prepare your application.
Fees, timelines and expiry
| Permit Type | Fee schedule | Permit fee | Advertising fee | Total | Our Process | Timeline | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Permitted Change of Use |
$190 |
- |
$190 |
- |
5
business days |
1-3
years to commence depending on the type of development permit and land use
district |
|
|
Permitted with Relaxation or Discretionary Change of Use |
$594 |
$30 |
$624 |
60 days
to decision + 21 days advertisement/appeal period *timelines
are subject to change based on circulation requirements |
10-12
weeks |
1-3 years to commence depending on the type of development permit and land use district |
*Review our Development Permit Process page for more information about the planning approval process.
To avoid delays, make sure your application includes all the required documents, plans and information as indicated on the checklist.
Contact the Planning Services Center to determine the current approved "use" for your proposed address.
Tenancy Change
Contact the Planning Services Centre to determine the current approved ‘use’ for your proposed address.
If your business activities fall under the same ‘use’, typically a Tenancy Change application is required. In some Land Use Districts, a Tenancy Change is required if the use is listed as permitted in the district. These land use districts include: C-N1, C-N2, C-C1, C-C2, C-COR1, C-COR2, C-COR3, C-O, C-R1, C-R2, C-R3, CC-MHX, CC-X, CC-COR, CR20-C20/R20, CC-ET, CC-EIR, CC-EMU, CC-EPR, CC-ERR, CC-ER, MU-1 and MU-2, I-B, I-C or I-G districts. If there are other changes to the space, a development permit may still be required.
Please note, during this review, we may determine a Development Permit and/or a Building Permit is required instead or in addition to the Tenancy Change application.
How to apply
If a Tenancy Change application is required, you can apply for it at the same time as a new business licence application or building permit, apply online or in person at the Planning Services Centre.
Checklist
Fees and timelines
| Permit Type | Fee schedule | Total | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tenancy Change |
Planning applications fee schedule
|
$0 |
Approximately
10 business days |
Building Permit
A building permit will be required if you are making changes to your space, including adding, moving, or removing wall partitions. Even if you are not proposing any construction, you might still need a building permit to confirm that the space meets the required Safety Codes. Upgrades to the space may be necessary to bring it into compliance with the National Building Code - Alberta Edition and all applicable health and safety standards. A building permit confirms that your space is safe to operate your business from.
How to apply
You can apply before, at the same time as, or after your business licence application. You can submit Building permit details and drawings online or in person at the Planning Services Centre.
Commercial: food establishments
Sample Drawings
For more information on specific application types please see the corresponding checklist below. View some sample drawings to help prepare your application
For more information about safety codes for food establishments visit National Buidling Code - Alberta Edition for food establishments. For more information contact the Planning Services Centre.
For more information about your business activity and the associated building permit code classification, visit Alberta Building Code for commercial building permits. For more information about when a building permit is typically required, visit Calgary.ca/commercial or contact the Planning Services Centre.
Fees, Timelines and Expiry
| Permit Type | Fee schedule | Permit fee | Total | Timeline | Expiry (from date of issuance) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Commercial
building permit |
Varies |
Please use the Building permit fee calculator to estimate your fee. |
Varies based on complexity | 180 days until you require a progress inspection |
Trade Permits
You may require a trade permit if you are doing any upgrades or new in a specific trade. This can include required upgrades to the existing HVAC system in the building, changes or upgrades to plumbing, electrical and gas systems. A trade permit confirms that the work being done complies with the appropriate safety codes.
Commercial Trade Permit applications must be done by the appropriate licensed Trade Contractor. Visit Hiring a Contractor for information on what to look for when choosing a contractor.
Meet Matt
Matt is a brew master for a world-famous brewing company. As an avid lover of craft beer, he has decided to open his own microbrewery with a tasting room in the heart of Calgary’s brewing district.
Matt’s perfect location is a closed-up retail shop that will require extensive renovations.
To open a new microbrewery Matt will need to:
- Apply for a Discretionary Change of Use Development Permit.
- Research and comply with the building regulations for having both brewery equipment and a tasting room operating in the same physical space. Matt may want to hire industry professionals to help with this.
- Apply for his Building Permit, once the Development Permit has been released.
- Hire licensed trade contractors to pull permits and bring the electrical, plumbing and gas systems up to code.
- Call for building permit and trade permit inspections throughout the construction process.
- Submit his Business Licence application.
- Call for Fire and AHS inspections and submit approvals so his Licence can be issued.
- Apply for and receive his AGLC liquor Licence. He will need to follow the AGLC requirements for selling and processing alcoholic beverages within the same location.
- Open his Business.
Matt will need:
- Discretionary Change of Use DP
- Building Permit
- Business Licence
- AGLC Licence
Meet Lily
Lily started her catering business in 2020 after the COVID pandemic caused her to lose her corporate 9-5.
Two years later, she is ready to expand her services and wants to operate in a brick-and-mortar building with dine-in service.
As a first-time business owner starting in a brand-new space, Lily will need to:
- Apply for her Development and Building Permits.
- Work with her contractor to secure the correct trade permits.
- Ensure building construction is complete, call for trade permit inspections and ensure the commercial space is ready to use.
- Register her company with the provincial registry as she has decided to incorporate her business.
- Submit her Business Licence Application.
- Call for Fire and AHS inspections and submit approvals so her licence can be issued.
- Open her Business.
Lily will need:
- New Building DP
- New Building BP
- Business Licence
Meet Maria
Maria is taking over her family-owned and operated restaurant. Though she’s keeping the original recipes, she has big dreams of modernizing the kitchen and dining area and updating her cocktail menu.
To transfer ownership and renovate her restaurant, Maria will need to: :
- Apply for a new Business Licence as she will be considered a new owner as per the Business Licence Bylaw.
- Decide if she needs to change or upgrade any cooking equipment as this would mean she would need a Building Permit.
- Apply for a Tenancy Change as she has decided to only do minor cosmetic changes like painting, for now.
- Call for Fire and AHS inspections and submit approvals so that her Licence can be issued.
- Apply for and receive her AGLC liquor Licence.
- Open her Business.
- In the future, Maria wants to upgrade some of her kitchen equipment an will apply for the appropriate permits when she is ready to go ahead with those renovations
Maria will need:
- Tenancy Change
- Business Licence
- AGLC Licence
Meet Luis
Luis recently immigrated to Canada and has always wanted to open a Brazilian Steakhouse. As an experienced Chef, Luis would like to import some of his most cherished ingredients from Brazil to bring his dishes to life.
Luis perfect location is an existing restaurant on 17th Ave that he will be renovating.
To start his Brazilian Steakhouse, Luis will need to:
- Work with an architect to draw plans and ensure his design meets the building code and bylaw requirements for his location.
- Determine if the restaurant’s proposed grilling and cooking equipment meets the safety requirements outlined in Provincial Regulations prior to purchasing the equipment.
- Apply for his Building Permit.
- Hire licensed trade contractors to pull permits and bring the electrical, plumbing and gas systems up to code.
- Call for building permit and trade permit inspections throughout the construction process.
- Ensure the menu’s food and liquor are approved by Industry and Health Standards Canada and confirm he can import food from other countries (as needed).
- Submit his Business Licence application.
- Call for Fire and AHS inspections and submit approvals so his Licence can be issued.
- Apply for and receive his AGLC liquor Licence.
- Open his Business.
Luis will need:
- Building Permit
- Business Licence
- AGLC Licence
Apply
Prepare your application
Once you know how and where your business will operate, you’re ready to apply.
For a smooth application, make sure you know the following information:
- Business Activities
- Location of Business
- Fee payment at the time of application*
- Ownership
- Name of Business
- Contact information for the business and owner
- If you are applying online, a myID account
- Two pieces of government issued identification
Tips for a smooth application process
Before you apply
Before you apply
- Put together a cost and timeline estimate.
- Confirm the requirements needed to operate from your selected location:
- Is your type of business allowed to operate from your chosen location (is the Use listed in your Land Use District)
- What type of Permits do you need as part of your Location Approval? See location approval.
- Do you need to apply for a development permit or tenancy change as part of your Location Approval?
- Does the space require any upgrades to comply with Building and Fire Codes?
- Are you doing construction yourself or hiring a contractor?
- Do you need to apply for a building permit as part of your Land Use Approval?
- Do you need approval from the property owner before making changes to the space?
- Hire the appropriate contractors for the project.
- Are your contractors licensed
- Can your contractors pull the right trade permits to work on your business?
After you apply
After you apply
- Submit all required documents as soon as you have prepared the permit requirements
- If your Business needs a Development and Building Permit, submit the Development Permit first and wait for a decision prior to submitting your Building Permit
- If your Business needs a Building Permit, submit all necessary Building Permit requirements
- Follow-up on requests for further information
- Book and complete your Inspections if a Building Permit is required
- Book and complete your Health and Fire Inspections once the Building Permit is complete
Need help? A business experience representative can help you determine what approvals you will need. Contact The Planning Services Centre.
Apply for your licence and required permits
To apply online, you need a myID account. Create a myID account.
Apply in person
Once you have gathered all required documents, you can apply for your permit in person by visiting the Planning Services Centre.
After you apply
What approvals do you need?
After you submit your application online, you will get a confirmation email summarizing your application. It will include your Business Identification number (BID) and your next steps. If you do not get this email, check your junk email folder and then contact the Planning Services Center if you still did not receive it.
Once you apply for your business licence, you must complete your outstanding approvals before the business licence is issued.
The approvals you will need for your licence are:
| Licence Categories | Description | Location approval | Fire | Health | AGLC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Services – Premises Licence | Required to operate a food premise or prepare and serve food to the public. |
Required |
Required |
Required |
|
| Outdoor Patio | Required when food and liquor are being prepared and/or served to the public outdoors, adjacent to an established restaurant or brewery. |
Required |
*If your restaurant sells alcohol then you need AGLC approval. |
||
| Alcohol Beverage Sales | Required to sell alcoholic beverages to the public. |
Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
| Alcohol Beverage Manufacturer | Required to make your own alcoholic beverages on the premise. |
Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
| Entertainment Establishment | Required if your establishment routinely advertises live entertainment such as music or comedy, dancing, games room, a bowling alley, billiard/pool hall or drive-in theatre |
Required |
Required |
||
| Retail Dealer Premises | Required if your establishment sells merchandise. |
Required |
Required |
How to get your approvals
Location approval
All businesses in Calgary require planning approval before they can open. We recommend that you review and apply for required permits prior to applying for your licence.
Commercial Location Approval
The City of Calgary will need to review your proposed location and determine what approvals are required to operate legally and safely.
All businesses in Calgary require location approval before they can open.
To review what types of Planning approval are required for your business, refer to the location approval section.
Health
An Alberta Health Services (AHS) location inspection is required to ensure public safety. Any business involving the sale, preparation, manufacturing or storage of food products requires this inspection. Any business involved in personal service such as aesthetics or massage is also required to have this inspection. Contact AHS at 1-833-476-4743 for more information and to book a date.
Inspection results can be submitted:
- In person at the Planning Services Centre:
3rd floor, Municipal building, 800 Macleod Trail S.E. - By email: licencedivisionteam@calgary.ca
If AHS advised you that your business type does not require a health inspection, please record the name of the individual you spoke with, their telephone number, and the reason provided. Please provide these details to The City’s Planning Services Centre.
Please be aware of all current provincial public health restrictions for in-person dining.
| Business Licence approval type | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Alberta Health Services | Contact AHS at 403-943-2288 for timelines |
Fire
Most businesses that operate from commercial premises require an inspection from the Fire Prevention Bureau before the licence can be issued.
If a business licence is for a low fire-risk licence type, it can be issued if only the Fire approval is outstanding. Low fire-risk businesses need to have the fire inspection within 30 days of their licence being issued.
Before you book your inspection, you must be ready for business, which means:
- Applicants must be in possession of the space/site
- The business is ready to serve customers (e.g. shelves are stocked and fixtures are in place)
| Business Licence Approval Type | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Fire inspection | 5 business days |
To book your inspection contact 311 with your Business Identification (BID) number to request a Fire Inspection for Business Licence (call 403-268-2489 outside of Calgary) .
It can take up to 5 business days for an inspector to visit the space.
See the Fire Department Business Licence Checklist to see what is required for your inspection.
The Fire Prevention Bureau will notify the Licence Division with the results of the inspection.
This inspection must be performed by the Fire Prevention Bureau inspectors. This approval is in addition to any inspection done by the firefighting division, such as the occupancy inspection completed on your building permit.
AGLC
Businesses manufacturing or selling alcoholic beverages must also obtain a liquor licence from Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC). The AGLC application takes approximately three weeks to process. Applicants can start the AGLC application process before their municipal business licence, however the AGLC liquor licence will not be issued until the Land Use Approval has been obtained.
TIP
You can start the AGLC application process before your municipal business licence, however the AGLC liquor licence will not be issued until your Location Approval has been obtained.
After you have obtained all your approvals, your Business Licence can be issued to you.
Check the status of your application
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.
Get a copy of your 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.
Lost or damaged licences
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.
Licence not received in the mail
If you prefer to receive a mailed copy of your business licence, you 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.
When does your licence expire?
Business licenses expire one year from the issuance date. You’ll get a notice in the mail 45 days before your licence expires to notify you of the expiry date. To renew your licence, see licence renewals.
Renewing your business licence
Your business licence needs to be renewed every year to remain active. We will mail you an invoice 45 days prior to payment being due. How you choose to pay for your renewal will affect when we receive the fee, so please allow sufficient processing time.
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.
Other payment options
Online banking
Please note the following items from your invoice; they are required for online payment:
- Payee: when setting up the payee on your online banking, choose payee CALGARY (CITY OF) - CORPORATE INVOICE. Please note that different banks may have a different variation of the spelling, e.g. Calgary (City): Corporate Invoice. If you are not sure that you selected the correct payee, confirm with the bank.
- Payee account number: some banks or institutions may refer to this as the accounts receivable number (A/R#). Use your customer number on the invoice. If you are unable to find your customer number, contact the Planning Services Centre.
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.
What happens if you don’t renew your licence?
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 and you will need to obtain all new licence approvals.
Make changes to your business
Business licences are specific to the owner when the business was applied and are non-transferable from one person or entity to another.
You can make some changes to your business, including:
- Moving your Business
- Change your mailing address
- Changing your Trade Name
- Updating your Ownership (sole proprietor or partnership to corporation) * conditions apply
See manage your business for more information.
Business Improvement Area (BIA) and Assessment
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is established by businesses in an area to jointly raise and administer funds for various projects and promotional activities within the zone throughout the year. Businesses located in a BIA will receive a BIA tax bill. This levy is collected by The City of Calgary on behalf of the BIA.
Planning Services Centre
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (MT)
Live chat:
calgary.ca/livechat
Call:
403-268-5311
In person:
Planning Services Centre,
3rd floor, Municipal building
800 Macleod Trail SE
Book an eAppointment for in person services at appointment.calgary.ca