Open an entertainment and event business

Learn about licensing requirements, fees, timelines, permits and approvals you need to open your business

Before you apply

Do you need to register your business?

We encourage all businesses operating in Calgary to register their business with The City of Calgary.

All businesses operating from a location in Calgary are required to obtain location approval for their business, even if a licence is not required. Location approval helps ensure that the space you are operating has been approved for your business and is safe for all occupants.

If your business requires a business licence, registration will occur at the same time as applying for your licence. If you wish to register your business with the City of Calgary, please apply online.

Do you need a business licence?

Businsses that provide event services may require a licence, review your business activities to help determine if a licence is required.

MyID business account

If you have a myID business account, you can get a digital copy of your business licence through email.

To learn more and to sign-up, visit myID business account

Event businesses that do need a licence Entertainment businesses that do need a licence Entertainment and event businesses that do not need a licence
Events where products and services are being sold. Amusement arcades Individual vendors at approved trade shows or markets, except for business that sell alcohol and tobacco products.
Farmer’s markets Concert facilities Seminars where samples, demonstrations, products or services are not provided
Trade shows Escape rooms City-approved community festivals or events
Carnivals and circuses Cinemas and movie theaters Events at a community hall
Fairs Entertainment establishments

Generally, private or social events (ie, not a business) held on private property, however an AGLC event licence may be required to sell or provide liquor services at a private event.

Haunted houses Adult mini theater

For tents to support staff and talent at temporary filming locations, see Tents for details on what permits are required.

Festivals Conference and event facilities

For tent/outdoor events on the same property as the existing licenced business, the 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.

Extended Dance Events Amusement parks -
Outdoor music or dance festivals - -
Psychic practitioners - -

For more in-depth information about these different types of licences, see the licenceable entertainment and events section below. 

If you don’t know if your business requires a business licence, contact the Planning Services Centre for assistance.

What are your business activities?

Your business activities will determine what's required to open your business:

  • if you need a business licence
  • what licence types you need
  • what permits you may need 

Examples of different licence types you may need:

Example Licence types
If you plan to host a farmer’s market on a regular basis.

A Market licence is required

If you plan on renting a stall, table or space at an approved farmer’s market.

A contractor licence is required.

If your business will provide entertainment to the public, including live entertainment, patron dancing, games rooms, a bowling alley, billiard/pool hall or drive-in theatre.

An Entertainment Establishment licence is required.

If your business will event services including event planning, rentals, such as tent, seating, tables, decorations, etc. No licence is required.
If your business will include the set-up and/or take-down of tents or canopies.

A contractor licence is required.

If your business will sell products for events, including tents, seating, tables, decorations, etc.

A Retail Dealer – Premises licence is required.

These licence types will be generated as part of your application when you apply. You do not need to apply for them separately.

If your business fits into more than one licence type, you do not need to get multiple approvals. For example, you only need one Fire inspection even if it is required by all of your different licence types.

How much does a Business Licence Cost?

When setting up a new licence, applicable fees apply. Fees are based on the type of licence you need and whether your business is home-based or commercial-based. Business licence fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Fees are subject to change the next calendar year.

Commercial based business

Business licence New licence Police Fire Planning Total
Alcohol Beverage Sales ​$172 - $107 $41 $320
Amusement Arcade ​$172 - $107 $41 $320
Carnival or Circus ​$172 - $107 $41 $320
Cinema ​$172 - $208 $41 $421
Concert (per day) $1179 - $66 $41 $1286
Concert Facility ​$236 $65 + $55 for each additional $208 $41 $550
Entertainment Establishment $172 - $107 $41 $320
Extended Dance Event (per event) ​$327 $65 + $55 for each additional $208 $41 $641
Food Service - Premises ​$172 - $107 $41 $320
Market ​$172 - $107 $41 $320
Psychic Practitioner ​$172 $65 + $55 for each additional $41 $278
Trade Show ​$172 - $208 $41 $421

How do you pay for your licence?

You need to pay for your licence when you submit your application. If you are applying online, you can pay using apply.calgary.ca​.

What permits do you need?

Understanding what approvals will be required will help ensure you will be able to open your business with ease and on time. Your business may require Planning Approval, Building Safety Approval, or both in order to be approved to operate from your selected location.

These approvals are based on:

  • the location of the business,
  • the proposed business activities
  • how the space was used before your business
  • If your business will be operating from a temporary location, such as a tent or outdoor space, or from a commercial or industrial location.

To learn more about what permits you may need, see the location approval section.

How long will it take to process your application?

The timeline to process your application can vary significantly depending on the permits and approvals required for your business.

To avoid delays, ensure your application includes all the required documents, plans and information.

TIP

Do not sign your lease agreements until you have checked your location approval. We recommend applying for your location approval and building safety approvals before applying for your licence.

Commercial based location timelines

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Temporary tent location timelines

Tier Classification Building Permit required Development Permit required Timeline
Tier 1 No No n/a
Tier 1 No Yes 10 – 12 weeks
Tier 2 Yes No Approximately 1-2 business days if no DP is required, or DP has been approved.
Tier 2 Yes Yes 10 – 12 weeks for DP approval + Approximately 1-2 business days if no DP is required, or DP has been approved.
Tier 3 Yes No

Typically, between 21 and 49 days*. 

*Varies based on complexity and completeness of the application.

Tier 3 Yes Yes

10 – 12 weeks for DP approval + Typically, between 21 and 49 days*. 

*Varies based on complexity and completeness of the application.

What is the name of your business?

A business name, or trade name, is used to represent your business to the public. You may wish to register your trade name with the province. Read more in Opening a business in Calgary: Register your Trade Name.

Who will own the business?

  • Sole proprietor – one person owns the business
  • Partnership – agreement between two or more people or companies
  • Corporation – a legal entity that is separate from its owners, the shareholders

Where is your event located?

Before you set-up for your event, make sure you know if a permit will be required by reviewing the Tents & Canopies page.

If you will be operating a business you will need to provide a location that is approved for their specific business activities. Review the location approval section to make sure your business activities are allowed at your chosen location.

If you’re running your business from more than one location, you need a separate business licence for each location. Each location may require a different combination of permits to satisfy your location approval requirement.

Interdepartmental events team

If your event:

  • Is on city-owned land, including a City park or road
  • Needs permits/assistance from two or more departments (such as Parks and Planning & Development Services)
  • Is complex or expects mass public attendance

Then, the Interdepartmental Events Team will help coordinate the approvals needed for your event. The Interdepartmental Events Team uses a one-stop approach for festivals and events on City land to help festival and event organizers obtain necessary approvals. It is made up of representatives from over 20 City departments and organizations to help co-ordinate large events. Smaller events, such as weddings or private celebrations, typically do not require the team’s involvement.

Contact the Interdepartmental Events Team at eventservices@calgary.ca.

Entertainment and event business licence types

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Location approval

Commercial based location

Your business will be run from a commercial or industrial location in Calgary.

Planning and Building Safety approvals

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Look up your land use district on the listed use matrix to determine if your proposed business activities are listed in your district.

How will you occupy the space?

Once you’ve confirmed your business activities are a listed use in a Land Use District, you need to determine how you will be occupying the space, to see which permits you might need to satisfy your Location Approval.

Contact the Planning Services Centre if you are not sure what approvals your business will require from your chosen location.

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What different types of permits might be required?

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Apply

Prepare your application

Once you know how and where your business will operate, you’re ready to apply.

For a smooth application, make sure you know the following information:

  • Business Activities
  • Location of Business
  • Fee payment at the time of application*
  • Ownership
  • Name of Business
  • Contact information for the business and owner
  • If you are applying online, a myID account

Tips for a smooth application process

Before you apply

Before you apply

  • Put together a cost and timeline estimate.
  • Confirm the requirements needed to operate from your selected location:
    • Is your type of business allowed to operate from your chosen location (is the Use listed in your Land Use District)
    • What type of Permits do you need as part of your Location Approval? See location approval.
      • Do you need to apply for a development permit or tenancy change as part of your Location Approval?
      • Does the space require any upgrades to comply with Building and Fire Codes?
        • Are you doing construction yourself or hiring a contractor?
        • Do you need to apply for a building permit as part of your Land Use Approval?
      • Do you need approval from the property owner before making changes to the space?
    • Hire the appropriate contractors for the project.
      • Are your contractors licensed
      • Can your contractors pull the right trade permits to work on your business?

After you apply

Need help? A business experience representative can help you determine what approvals you will need. Contact The Planning Services Centre.

Apply for your licence and required permits

To apply online, you need a myID account. Create a myID account.

Apply in person

Once you have gathered all required documents, you can apply for your permit in person by visiting the Planning Services Centre.

After you apply

What approvals do you need?

After you submit your application online, you will get a confirmation email summarizing your application. It will include your Business Identification number (BID) and your next steps. If you do not get this email, check your junk email folder and then contact the Planning Services Center if you still did not receive it.

Once you apply for your business licence, you must complete your outstanding approvals before the business licence is issued.

The approvals you will need for your licence are:

  You will be contacted by a file manager to review your application and provide you with next steps. 

  Required

Commercial based business
Licence Categories Description Location approval  Show ID Police check Fire Health AGLC
Alcohol Beverage Sales Required to sell alcoholic beverages to the public.

Amusement Arcade Required to provide entertainment to the public in the form of where four or more amusement, sport or arcade machines are provided.

Carnival or Circus Required to provide a collection of side shows, mechanical rides, trained animal acts, games of chance or other forms of entertainment to the public.

Cinema Required to show motion pictures to the public within a building, but do not include an Adult Mini-Theatre.

Concert 

Required for any outdoor music or dance festival, musical performance, or similar musical activity where:

Concert Facility Is required for any venue within the City of Calgary that can stage a concert.

Entertainment Establishment Required if your establishment routinely advertises live entertainment such as music or comedy, dancing, games room, a bowling alley, billiard/pool hall or drive-in theatre

Extended Dance Event (per event)

Required for people to listen and dance to electronic and synthesized music (commonly referred to as a rave).

A business licence is required if:

  • The event is taking place at a venue that does not commonly hold this type of event.
  • Expected attendance for the event is 299 or more.

 

Food Service - Premises Required to operate a food premise or prepare and serve food to the public, includes pre-packaged foods.

Market Required to provide stalls, tables or spaces for rent to merchants to display and sell goods to the public.

Psychic Practitioner Required for any person providing card reading, fortune telling, graphology, palmistry, phrenology, numerology or other similar services to the public.

Trade Show Required to organize a short term commercial exhibition of 10 or more participants, whose purpose is to exhibit samples, demonstrate products or services, or sell products or services to the public.

How to get your Approvals?

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After you have obtained all your approvals, your Business Licence can be issued to you.

Check the status of your application

After you submit your application online, you will get a confirmation email with a Job Access Code (JAC).

To track your application and check its status, enter your Job Access Code in Vista.

If you need help or have questions, contact our Planning Services Centre

Get a copy of your licence

As part of The City’s efforts to accelerate the business license approvals process, customers with a myID business account can receive a digital copy of their business licence via email. This is available to customers applying for a new business licence or renewing an existing licence. To learn more about the benefits of a myID business account and to sign-up today, please visit myID business account

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When does your licence expire?

Business licenses expire one year from the issuance date. You’ll get a notice in the mail 45 days before your licence expires to notify you of the expiry date. To renew your licence, see licence renewals.

Renewing your business licence

Your business licence needs to be renewed every year to remain active. We will mail you an invoice 45 days prior to payment being due. How you choose to pay for your renewal will affect when we receive the fee, so please allow sufficient processing time.

Payment options

Online renewal

To renew your licence online, sign into your myID business account and manage your business at apply.calgary.ca​.

If you do not have a myID business account, you will have to create one first.

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Make changes to your business

Business licences are specific to the owner when the business was applied and are non-transferable from one person or entity to another.

You can make some changes to your business, including:

  • Moving your Business
  • Change your mailing address
  • Changing your Trade Name
  • Updating your Ownership (sole proprietor or partnership to corporation) * conditions apply

See manage your business for more information.

Business Improvement Area (BIA) and Assessment

Business Improvement Area (BIA) is established by businesses in an area to jointly raise and administer funds for various projects and promotional activities within the zone throughout the year. Businesses located in a BIA will receive a BIA tax bill. This levy is collected by The City of Calgary on behalf of the BIA.


Planning Services Centre

Hours:
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (MT)

Live chat:
calgary.ca/livechat

Call:
403-268-5311

In person: 
Planning Services Centre,
3rd floor, Municipal building 
800 Macleod Trail SE

Book an eAppointment for in person services at appointment.calgary.ca