Short-term rental business licence - rules and regulations
Changes to short-term rental regulations
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Calgary’s short-term rental business licence bylaw changes
March 26, 2025This session will cover key updates, including new licence categories, revised fees, an updated definition of short-term rentals and more. Discover how these changes may affect you as a host, learn how to apply for a business licence and understand your responsibilities under the revised bylaw.
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Short-Term Rental Study: What We Heard Reports
Thank you for sharing your feedback to support Calgary's Short-Term Rental Study. The Phase 1 and Phase 2 What We Heard Reports are available now.
Short-term rental regulations
Short-term rental hosts need to be aware of the following regulations under the Business Licence Bylaw:
Regulation type | Description | Purpose |
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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.
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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 individuals per room. 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 a 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:
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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 |
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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) |
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.