Business and Economy
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Opening a business in Calgary?
Contact us
Call 311
403-268-CITY (2489) from outside Calgary
Business licensing and permits
Live chat at calgary.ca/livechat
Call 403-268-5311
Property assessment
Call 403-268-2888
Business Improvement Areas (BIA)
BIA contacts
Business inquiry form
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Popular business license applications

Home & Small Business Webinars
We have a variety of webinars to teach you about home renovations and opening businesses in Calgary. Our webinars are recorded live and posted online afterwards for others to watch. Prior to submitting any permit or licence applications, please take some time to watch any related webinars that we have posted.
Watch a webinar
Business Experience Improvement Program
Business Approvals file managers guide applicants through the business licencing process. This creates faster and more predictable outcomes.
We work with local entrepreneurs who are interested in opening a business in Calgary. We review your business licence application, make sure the appropriate permits are applied for and ensure that all parts of your application are submitted to get you through the process, faster.
Contact a Business Approvals File Manager
Home based childcare
On January 1, 2023, the City of Calgary introduced a new business licence for home-based child care providers. This licence ensures minimum standards are in place to protect the health and safety of children in private home-based child care.
Applications opened December 27, 2022.
Learn more about the new business licence type
Planning Tips
Check your land useBefore you sign a lease or buy a property for your business, check the land use to make sure your business can operate there.
If there is a change in use, you may require a development permit.
Check your land use by contacting the Planning Services Centre.
Small business webinars
We have a variety of webinars to teach you about opening a business in Calgary. Our webinars are recorded live and posted online afterwards for others to watch. Prior to submitting any permit or licence applications, please take some time to watch any related webinars that we have posted.
Have you attended one of our webinars? Let us know how we did.
Business news spotlight
Partnerships
Business Improvement Areas
Business Improvement Areas
We work with Business Improvement Areas to support over 6,000 businesses. They help create some of Calgary's best known and most loved neighbourhoods with a variety of local businesses.