Child Care Services - business guide
Businesses operating as a child care service do not require a City of Calgary licence. They are governed by the province of Alberta. Please contact Calgary Family & Child Services at 403-297-6100 or calgaryareacfsa.info@gov.ab.ca.
Child care service businesses include:
- Before and after-school care
- Babysitting
- Child care facilities
- Day care centres
- Pre-schools
- Nannies and nurseries
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).
Rules and regulations
Home-based child care
The operator of the a child care service must live in the home.
Home-based child care services can care for up to six children. The number of children allowed does not include the operator’s own children. Home-based child care services with six or fewer children do not require land use approval. Businesses wanting to supervise more than six children at a residential address are required to apply for a land use redesignation.
Land Use Bylaw
All commercial child care services require a permit to approve the business where there are more than seven children under the age of 13 years being supervised for less than 24 consecutive hours.
Home-based child care services do not require a licence or permit.
Note: All businesses operating in Calgary are required to register their business, obtain a business identification number (BID) or Business ID, and obtain land use approval for the business location even if it does not require a licence. Certain businesses that do not need a municipal licence may still require licensing, permits or inspections from other regulatory bodies.
Land use approval
All businesses in Calgary require land use approval. Each space in a building has its own specified, approved use that cannot be changed without an approval, permit or both. Visit home-based business or commercial-based businesses for more information, or contact our Planning Services Centre to investigate land use approval for your business.
Fees
Businesses which do not require a licence do not have an associated fee to register for a Business ID.
Fees may be required for permits that are needed to meet land use approval.
Additional information
Business ownership changes
A business licence or business ID is not transferable from one person to another or from one person's business premises to another.
Multiple premises
A business operating from more than one location requires a separate business licence for each premises.
Charitable organization
All charitable organizations must be associated with another licenced business activity. Approval must be granted by the province before applying for a municipal licence.
Businesses not eligible for a charity status:
- Alcohol beverage sales
- Tobacco retailer
All fundraising activity is governed by the charitable fundraising act. Charitable organizations that are only fundraising should contact Alberta Municipal Affairs, Housing and Consumer Affairs Division at 1-780-427-8044 or 1-877-427-4088.
All applicants for this licence type should first consult with the province about eligibility for this designation and register their business, prior to applying for a municipal business licence. Contact Service Alberta at 1-780-427-4088 (or toll free in Alberta only at 1-877-427-4088) for more information.
How to apply
Online
If you need help when completing your application
, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday to Friday.In person
Apply in person at the Planning Services Centre. To skip the line, book an appointment online.
Planning Services Centre
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4:15p.m. (MT)
Live chat:
calgary.ca/livechat
Call:
403-268-5311
Drop-off:
3rd floor, Municipal building
800 Macleod Trail SE