Open a food production business
Yes. Businesses that produce food require a business licence.
Food production businesses include:
- Aeroponics – the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate mediumAeroponics
- Aquaponics - an integrated system where waste created by fish is used to supply nutrients to hydroponically grown plants, which in turn clean the water and return it to the fish.Aquaponics
- Aquaculture* - the farming of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants, algae, and other aquatic organisms. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the harvesting of wild fish.Aquaculture* – only allowed in Industrial – General (I-G) and Industrial – Heavy (I-H) districts.
- Hydroponics - the cultivation of plants in a solution of circulating, nutrient rich water rather than soil.Hydroponics
- Modular/freight farms - portable pre-built commercial food production system in a freight container like structure.
- Vertical farming - where plants are grown in layers or on vertical surfaces, allowing tall buildings, warehouses or even shipping containers to be used to grow food. Hydroponics are often used in vertical growing systems.
Food production includes:
- fruits
- vegetables
- mushrooms
- flowers
- fiber
- seeds
- nuts
- seedlings
- herbs
- fish
- insects*
* Only allowed in Industrial – General (I-G) and Industrial – Heavy (I-H) districts and cannot be located next to residential land use districts.. To find out your land use district, see the location approval section and enter your address into the search.
It includes management practices and activities such as:
- cultivation
- harvesting
- storing
- sorting
- cleaning
Food production does not include:
Products regulated by the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (e.g. cannabis). For information on growing cannabis, visit open a cannabis facility.
- Bees – The City of Calgary does not have jurisdiction over bees or beekeeping. This is governed by the province’s Bee Act. The act provides guidelines regarding the collection, care, and registration of bees. For questions about beekeeping, refer to the province's Apiculture page or the Calgary Beekeepers Association.
| Example | Licence types |
|---|---|
| If you're selling any food products or products containing edible items. |
You will need a Food Services – Premises licence. |
| If you manufacture, assemble or produce any non-food products for sale to the public? (Including flower/basket arrangements). |
You may need a Manufacturing licence. |
| If you direct, manage or coordinate the distribution and sale of goods (including food products) or are engaged in warehousing and wholesale. |
You may need a Warehousing licence. |
| Business licence | Fee schedule | New licence | Fire | Planning | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Service - Premises | $172 | $107 | $41 | $317 | |
| Manufacturer | $172 | $107 | $41 | $317 | |
| Warehousing | $172 | $107 | $41 | $317 |
| Example | Type of use |
|---|---|
| Your business will grow and produce food inside of a building. |
Your business will be considered as Food production. |
| Your business will have a small-scale outdoor area to grow plants for a commercial purpose. |
Your business will be considered as Urban Agriculture. |
| Your business will grow plants, such as trees and shrubs, raise crops or graze livestock outdoors. |
Your business will be considered as Extensive Agriculture. |
Growing plants outdoors
Businesses that grow plants outdoors for a commercial purpose are considered an “urban agriculture” use in the Land Use Bylaw.
Urban Agriculture activities do not need a development permit where there is:
- No required landscaping being removed;
- No local food sales on-site; and
- Where there is a maximum of one ancillary building 10 square metres or less (e.g. a small shed that does not require a building permit).
You will need a development and building permit if:
- The greenhouse or other accessory building is larger than 10 square meters;
- You will be selling food on the property; or
- There are two or more additional accessory buildings under 10 square meters. Visit the New Commercial Buildings page for more information.
Examples of small-scale outdoor food production include:
- A local vegetable garden on a vacant parcel.
- Growing food on the roof-top of a restaurant.
Removing required property landscaping
If you are planning to remove previously approved landscaping on a property to make room for a new urban agriculture growing area, a development permit is required.
Local food sales
As part of Urban Agriculture, you will need a development permit to sell food grown on-site. This process will review the location, hours of operation and other rules and policies that apply.
If the local food sales are occurring on City-owned land or City-owned facilities, you may be exempt from a development permit with permission by The City, but the location, hours of operation and other policies will still be determined through this permission process.
Location approval
Commercial based location
Your business will be run from a commercial or industrial location in Calgary.
Development Permit
Tenancy Change
Building Permit
Checklists
Trade Permits
- Business Activities
- Location of Business
- 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:
- Put together a cost and timeline estimate.
- Check the feasability of your proposed 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:
- Submit all required documents as soon as you have prepared the permit requirements.
- If your Business needs a Development and Building Permit, submit the Development Permit first and wait for a decision prior to submitting your Building Permit.
- If your Business needs a Building Permit, submit all necessary Building Permit requirements.
- Follow-up on requests for further information.
- Book and complete your Inspections if a Building Permit is required.
- Book and complete your Health and Fire Inspections once the Building Permit is complete.
Need help? A business experience representative can help you determine what approvals you will need. Contact The Planning Services Centre.
| Licence Categories | Description | Location approval | Fire | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Services – Premises Licence | Required to operate a food premise or prepare and serve food to the public. |
Required |
Required |
Required |