Catalytic converter transactions
Catalytic converter theft is a major issue in Calgary, as it is in many other Canadian cities.
The City of Calgary introduced changes to the Business Licence Bylaw (32M98) on July 4, 2023 to better regulate businesses and individuals in possession of unattached catalytic converter.
New requirements
As of July 4, 2023, changes will come into effect for the following business types:
- Salvage collectors.
- Salvage yard/auto wreckers.
As of January 1, 2024, the same changes will apply to:
- Auto body shops which sell used auto parts.
- Motor vehicle repair and service which sell used auto parts.
The changes mean that thess businesses:
In addition to the VIN, make, model, colour and year of the vehicle, buyers are also required to keep a record of:
Salvage collectors and salvage yard/auto wreckers are required to maintain sale records with the above information for a period of one year.
How does this bylaw amendment correlate with the Provincial legislation?
The approved bylaw changes support and work with the provincial requirements outlined in the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Regulation, Alta Reg 124/2020.
How to meet the requirements on your licence
The new licence requirements will help ensure only legitimate buyers and sellers are involved in the trade of catalytic converters.
If your business sells used auto parts, an additional license category of Salvage Collector will be required to add to your existing business license. There will be no additional fee for businesses for adding this license category besides the requires police check fee. Business owners can add the new category to their existing license at the time of renewal.
How to get your approvals
Police Check
This licence type requires police security clearance recommendation.
Effective January 1, 2025, business licence applicants will now be responsible for obtaining and submitting their police security clearance independently through the Calgary Police Services (CPS) online system or through their local police authority within their jurisdiction, if they are not a resident of the City of Calgary. The City of Calgary will no longer facilitate police checks on behalf of applicants.
Previously completed police security clearance obtained within 60-days of application will be accepted.
If motor vehicle repair and service businesses sell used auto parts, they will require a police check when adding the salvage collector licence category to their business licence. Police checks are coordinated through The City at time of renewal and cost a minimum of $65.
If your business licence type required a police check when you initiated your application, no additional police checks are required.
Licensing Costs
There will be no other additional fees for businesses that add this licence category. Business owners can add the new licence category to their existing licence at the time of renewal at no extra cost.
Enforcement
The new licence requirements will help law enforcement track stolen catalytic converters and lay charges if they encounter someone with stolen catalytic converters.
Failure to comply with the licensing requirements can result in fines up to $3000 per offense. A full list of infractions and charges are available in the Business Licence Bylaw (32M98).
Protecting your property
Calgarians can protect themselves against theft of their catalytic converter by: