// TOOLS/STR Compliance Checker

What licence
do you actually need?

Calgary and Edmonton both updated their STR rules in the last 18 months, and Alberta's tourism levy jumped from 4% to 6% on April 1, 2026. Tell us about your property and we'll show you exactly which licence applies, what it costs, and what to watch out for.

Your property
City
Is this your primary residence?
Property type
Sleeping units offered
Will you accept stays longer than 30 nights (up to 180)?
Is the property designated affordable housing?
Your requirementsPrimary Residence STR Business Licence
Estimated upfront cost
~$286 (licence + fire inspection, year one)
Calgary STR business licence (primary residence)
$172 new · $131 renewal

Apply through the City of Calgary's business licensing portal. Annual renewal required. Licence number must appear on every advertisement.

Fire inspection
$114

Required for both new and renewal licences. Booked through the City as part of the licence application.

STR insurance — minimum $2M liability

Must be issued by an insurer registered in Alberta. Policy must explicitly cover home sharing or short-term rentals; standard homeowner policies typically exclude this.

Alberta tourism levy registration (TRACS)

Register as a host in Alberta's Tax and Revenue Administration Client Self-Service (TRACS). The levy is 6% of stays under 28 nights as of April 1, 2026 (was 4%). Airbnb collects on your behalf since October 2024 but registration is still required.

Electronic guest records

Keep permanent transaction records in English in an electronic form satisfactory to the Chief Licence Inspector. Records must be available on demand.

Posted 24/7 emergency contact

Name, phone, and email of an emergency contact must be posted conspicuously inside the rental.

Things to watch
VERIFY
Verify condo bylaws before listing

Calgary no longer requires condo board consent at the licensing stage — but your condo's bylaws may still ban or restrict STRs. Many Calgary condo corporations explicitly prohibit short-term rentals. Always confirm with your board before applying.

Have ThreeBNB handle this →
We file the licence, the fire inspection, and TRACS registration as part of onboarding.
// OR LET US DO IT FOR YOU

Skip the paperwork.

ThreeBNB handles the licence application, the fire inspection booking, TRACS registration, and ongoing renewals as part of standard onboarding. No extra fee.

Talk to ThreeBNB →
// FOOTNOTES
Last reviewed

Rules and rates verified on April 29, 2026. Regulations change; we re-check quarterly. For binding advice, contact your municipality directly or have ThreeBNB walk you through it.

Sources