Special events on private property

For online submissions with large permit costs, there is a deposit process in place that limits the amount paid online. For building permit fees over $10,000, only 25% of the base permit fee will be charged as an initial deposit, up to a maximum of $10,000. The remaining total building permit fee must be paid prior to permit issuance. In order to pay the remaining total please choose one of the following payment methods and reference your permit number:

By Phone (only available by credit card):

In order to make payment over the phone by credit card please call 403-268-5311.

By Mail (only available for cheques):

The City of Calgary
Attention: Planning Cashiers- 8108
PO BOX 2100 STN M
Calgary, AB  T2P 2M5

By Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT):

If you would like to pay by Electronic Funds Transfer you will select the payment option upon application. No fees will be processed at the time of the application intake. The Planning Cash Office will contact you the next business day and provide you with instructions to complete the EFT payment.​​​​

Special Function - Class 1 accommodates educational, social, recreational, sporting and worship events such as weddings, birthdays, trade shows and ceremonies, or allows expansion of the uses already occurring on the property. These functions have a minimal effect on the surrounding neighbourhood. If you do not meet all of the Special Function - Class 1 rules, you will require a development permit. View the advisory bulletin.

Class 1 events do not require a development permit provided they meet all of the following rules:

• Maximum 60 consecutive days; maximum 120 days in a year
• Maximum 1 story in height for any associated temporary structures such as a tent
• May be located anywhere on the property except for within the corner visibility triangle
• Not located in the floodway or flood fringe*

*Note: A development permit is required for special functions that take place in the floodway or flood fringe to assess potential safety issues.

Otherwise, a development permit is required.​​

Special Function - Class 2 accommodates the temporary expansion of a commercial licensed establishment, including a conference and event facility, drinking establishment, restaurant and night club, brewery, winery and distillery. These events may have higher impacts in the community and a development permit is generally required. Review the Special Function - Class 2 rules for an exemption list.

Generally, a development permit IS required, however smaller, short term events do not require a development permit provided they meet ALL the following rules:

• Maximum 3 consecutive days; maximum 15 days in a year
• Maximum 1 story in height for any associated temporary structures such as a tent
• Maximum size restrictions for any associated temporary structures such as a tent:
  • under 125 square metres when within 45 metres of a residential district
  • under 300 square metres in the downtown and East Village
  • under 75 square meters in districts that only allow small drinking establishments (C-N1, C-N2, I-E, I-R, CC-ER and CC-EPR)
• Tents must have no openings, except emergency exits, loading bay doors or non-opening windows, on a façade that faces a residential district unless that façade is separated from the residential district by a street.
  
• May be located anywhere on the property except for within the corner visibility triangle
• Not located in the floodway or flood fringe*

*Note: A development permit is required for special events that take place in the floodway or flood fringe to assess potential safety issues.

While most Special Function - Class 2 development permit applications can be processed in a minimum of 10 weeks, processing time varies and cannot be guaranteed. To allow adequate time to resolve any issues that may arise, it is recommended that you apply early, starting with a pre-application meeting. You can even apply as much as 12 months prior to your event.​

A building permit is required:

• For tents that cover more than 60 square meters (individually or collectively)
• For smaller tents (tents less than 60 square meters) that are within three meters of another structure or contain commercial cooking equipment
• Any time stages more than 1.2m high or other festival-type structure are constructed, installed or erected

For residential uses, building permits are NOT required as per the Safety Codes Act Permit Regulation. The City would review residential tents on a complaints basis and respond to any unsafe condition.​​​

An existing licence automatically extends to an event taking place on the same property as the licensed business. A new license would be required for activities that require a licence and are located on a different property.

To sell or provide liquor at a private event, you may require a Special events licence through Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission.

If you are operating or organizing a mobile food vending unit at an event, you may require approval through Alberta Health Services. See the Special events - organizer package.​​

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Special events that take place on City land are managed differently than those on private property. For more information about events on public land, visit Before booking a park, pathway or greenspace and planning festivals and events.

Event tents for private residential properties do not require a building permit as per the Safety Codes Act Permit Regulation. The City reviews residential tents on a complaints basis and responds to any unsafe conditions.​​

Safety regulations, bylaw rules and licensing requirements are intended to help keep Calgarians and visitors safe, and ensure special events are run responsibly and respectfully. To provide feedback on how well these measures are working, please contact 311.

Multi-agency safety review of licensed establishments
In response to concerns regarding social disorder and community impacts in and around licensed establishments, all development permit and business licensing applications for licensed establishments – including those in tents – undergo a Licensed Establishment Multi-Agency Group (LEMAG) review to ensure owners and applicants are aware of and adhere to all applicable policies and legislation. Representatives with extensive knowledge, diverse perspectives and experiences with licensed establishments are engaged as required and include members from Calgary Police Services, Animal & Bylaw Services, Calgary Fire Department, Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission and Alberta Health Services.

LEMAG endeavours to enhance personal and public safety in licensed establishments. During special events, such as the Calgary Stampede, the compliance arm of LEMAG conducts random inspections and takes enforcement action as appropriate to help ensure the event takes place responsibly.​​​

Other safety regulations

City of Calgary Policies for Electrical and the City of Calgary Policies for Plumbing and Gas also contain regulations and requirements for tents where there are cooking appliances, electricity, propane, or other fuel sources involved or proposed for use in connection within these temporary structures/tents.

Alberta Fire Code requirements must also be met. There are special fire safety considerations for cooking booths at events and fire-safe event planning assistance is also available. Tents are also included in the Calgary Fire Department’s Bar and nightclub safety program, which focusses on fire prevention.​​​​

Inspections booked outside of our normal operating hours will no longer be charged an after-hours inspection fee. This includes inspection after 4 p.m. on weekdays, all day Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.

Applications submitted online will require you to pay the fee up front, however this fee will be refunded within 2-3 business days.