Short-term rentals
Calgary City Council approved changes to the Business Licence Bylaw to require a business licence and regulations for short term rental (STR) hosts in Calgary that will come into effect on January 1, 2024.
The good host guide was developed to provide hosts with an overview of regulations and processes, including tips and a checklist. The good guest guide was developed to provide knowledge on expectations, accommodation practices and support through booking to stay.
Short Term Rentals - The City’s approach to regulation
Definition of a Short Term Rental
A short term rental is defined as the business of providing temporary accommodation for compensation, in a dwelling unit or portion of a dwelling unit for periods of up to 30 consecutive days. Businesses that have been issued a permit for a bed and breakfast are not classified as short term rentals.
Short Term Rental business licence costs
As of February 1, 2020, the Business Licence Bylaw includes a two-tiered business licence category for short term rental hosts. All hosts must have a separate short term business licence for each property they rent out. Tier 2 licensees must obtain a fire inspection for the short term rental property before the business licence will be issued.
Tier 1: 1 to 4 rooms offered for rent = $100 per property
Tier 2: 5 or more rooms offered for rent = $172 per property plus the cost of a fire inspection of $104 per property
Short Term Rentals in Secondary Suites
A secondary suite is a self-contained dwelling unit within principal residences or in backyards. They have separate living, cooking, sleeping, and bathroom facilities. Some hosts may choose to rent a secondary or backyard suite as a short term rental. In this case, the suite must meet the requirements for a legal secondary suite. If being used as a short term rental, the host must have a short term rental licence. For more information, visit on secondary suites Calgary.ca/suites.
Please note that secondary suites are not permitted within a dwelling unit that operates as a lodging house.
Regulations
Short term rental hosts need to be aware of the following regulations under the Business Licence Bylaw:
| Regulation type | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
|
Egress |
A host cannot rent a room that does not have one or more egress windows. (Multi-storied apartment/condo buildings have existing fire safety standards and do not need egress windows.) Other regulations: Egress in a multi-storied building, such as an apartment building or apartment style condominium, is regulated under the Fire codes and standards. |
Ensure the safety of guests in the event of a fire or other incident where a guest would have to evacuate. |
|
Maximum number of guests |
A host cannot allow more than two adults, not including minors, per room. As the definition of short term rental in the bylaw is 30 days or less, longer term stays are not covered in the bylaw. Other regulations: Fire codes and standards |
Ensuring the safety of guests and neighbors by addressing overcrowding issues. |
|
Overlapping bookings |
A host cannot allow overlapping bookings of two or more bookings for the dwelling at the same time. This means an host cannot rent out separate rooms to separate guests under separate reservations but can rent out multiple rooms as part of one guest reservation. |
Ensure consumer protection of guests and transparency between host and guest while reducing community impacts. |
|
Advertising |
A host must include the business licence number in any advertising for the short term rental. |
Discouraged unlicensed hosts and advise guests that properties require a business licence in Calgary. |
|
Emergency contact |
A host must post the name, phone number and email address (in a conspicuous location) of an emergency contact person who can be reached 24 hours a day. An emergency contact template is available here |
Ensure guests and enforcement authorities can address issues if they arise. |
|
Guest record |
A host must keep a record in English and in an electronic form that is satisfactory to the Chief Licence Inspector. Hosts must keep permanent records for each transaction and provide it to the Inspector upon demand. The record must include:
|
Ensure transparency of hosts for guests and the Chief Licence Inspector. |
Fines for Non-compliance
The City’s approach is to achieve voluntary compliance for bylaws whenever possible. This means we will work with hosts when possible to ensure they are complying with the bylaw. Failing to abide by the regulations can result in a $1,000 fine for each of the following offenses upon conviction:
| Offense | Section of the bylaw |
|---|---|
|
Offer a room without a window |
58.1(4)(a) |
|
Permit guests to sleep in a room without a window |
58.1(4)(b) |
|
Allow more than 2 adults per room |
58.1(5) |
|
Overlapping bookings |
58.1(6) |
|
Fail to include licence number on advertisement |
58.1(7) |
|
Fail to post emergency contact information |
58.1(8) |
|
Fail to keep record |
58.1(9) |
|
Fail to provide records on demand |
58.1(10) |
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Are you a short-term rental host?
Download our poster to place in your property for guests to access and download the Good Guide Guest!
Unleash the power of exceptional guest etiquette with the Good Guest Guide.
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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?
Overview of the regulations
Short Term Rental
| Licence category | Short Term Rental - Tier 1 |
|---|---|
|
Number of Bookings |
1 |
|
Number of Rooms |
1-4 |
|
Number of Occupants |
1-9 |
|
Property Requirement |
Primary/Secondary |
|
Consecutive Days |
30 or less |
|
Business Licence Cost |
$100 |
|
Fire Inspection Cost |
N/A |
|
AHS Inspection Cost |
N/A |
|
Total Cost |
$100 |
Short Term Rental
| Licence category | Short Term Rental - Tier 2 |
|---|---|
|
Number of Bookings |
1 |
|
Number of Rooms |
5+ |
|
Number of Occupants |
10+ |
|
Property Requirement |
Primary/Secondary |
|
Consecutive Days |
30 or less |
|
Business Licence Cost |
$172 |
|
Fire Inspection Cost |
$104 |
|
AHS Inspection Cost |
N/A |
|
Total Cost |
$276 |
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.
Planning Services Centre
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