Vehicle Repairs and Services - business guide
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?
Automotive businesses that do require a licence:
- Alignment shops
- Auto body painting
- Auto part sales
- Auto wrecking yard
- Brake shops
- Car detailers
- Car washes
- Catalytic converter buyers and sellers
- Dent repair
- Frame repair
- Fuel sales
- Gas station
- Large vehicle sales
- Mechanic shops
- Mobile mechanic
- Motorcycle sales
- Muffler and transmission repair shops
- Non-motorized towable sales (e.g. trailers, campers)
- Paintless dent repair
- Passenger vehicle sales
- Recreational vehicle sales
- Tire repair
- Used vehicle sales
- Vehicle repair and service
- Vehicle wrapping
- Window tinting
- Windshield and glass repair
Automotive businesses that do not require a licence:
- Auction sales, where vehicles are sold on consignment
- Car rental/leasing companies
- Equipment rentals (e.g. heavy equipment, moving trucks, utility trailers)
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 |
|---|---|
| Your business sells vehicles (used or new) from a commercial location |
You will need a Motor Vehicle Dealer – Premises licence. |
| Your business sells vehicles (used or new), but does not store, advertise or display vehicles within the City of Calgary (typically called auction to auction sales) |
You will need a Motor Vehicle Dealer – No Premises licence |
| Your business services or repairs motor vehicles, which includes alignment, mufflers, transmission repair, brakes shops and rustproofing |
You will need a Motor Vehicle Repair and Service licence |
| Your business offers paintless dent repair or exterior vehicle modifications, such as vehicle wrapping, sanding or auto-body repair |
You will need an Auto Body Shop licence |
| Your business will sell or buy used auto parts |
You will need a Salvage Collector licence
|
| Your business will sell or buy catalytic converters |
You will need a Salvage Collector licence
|
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.
Motor vehicle dealer: premises versus no premises
Premises
Commercial dealerships are permitted to sell to the public as motor vehicle dealer – premises and approval is determined by the number and size of vehicles that are displayed at a time.
No premises
Businesses are not permitted to store, advertise or display any motor vehicle at a premises within Calgary. To store, advertise or display vehicles within the city, the applicant/licensee must obtain a motor vehicle dealer - premises licence for the commercial location where the vehicles are being stored/displayed to the public.
Recreational vehicle sales
Selling motorized recreational vehicles such as RVs and motor homes requires a motor vehicle dealer licence.
The sale of towables, such as fifth wheelers or camper trailers, requires a retail dealer licence type and will also require approval from the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council.
Motorcycle sales
The Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council does not require a licence for the sale of motorcycles; however, a municipal motor vehicle dealer business licence is still required.
Fuel sales/storage
Storing, distributing or selling liquid fuel, lubricating oils and associated fluids for motor vehicles, including the retail sale of incidental products, requires a licence. Any gas station or fuel wholesaler requires this and other applicable licence types, depending on how the business operates.
If your business sells bulk fuels or imports/exports fuel, please see fuel sellers on alberta.ca.
How much does a business licence cost?
When setting up a new licence, applicable fees apply. Fees depend 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 in the next calendar year.
Commercial based business
| Business licence | New licence | Police check | Fire | Planning | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Dealer – Premises | $172 | $65 + $55 for each additional | $107 | $41 | $385 |
| Motor Vehicle Dealer – No Premises | $172 | $65 + $55 for each additional | $107 | - | $344 |
| Motor Vehicle Repair and Service | $172 | - | $107 | $41 | $320 |
| Auto Body Shop | $172 | $65 + $55 for each additional | $208 | $41 | $486 |
Home based business
| Business licence | New licence | Police check | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Dealer – No Premises | $172 | $65 + $55 for each additional | $344 |
| Motor Vehicle Repair and Service | $172 | - | $320 |
| Auto Body Shop | $172 | $65 + $55 for each additional | $486 |
Based out of Town
| Business licence | New licence | Non-resident surcharge | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Motor Vehicle Repair and Service, but only with the following sub-licence types:
|
$172 | $344 | $320 |
Non-resident surcharge for businesses based out of town
If your business is based outside the City of Calgary limits, but you will be conducting business within the City of Calgary, your business is considered ‘non-resident.’ Non-resident businesses must pay an additional non-resident surcharge on top of standard licensing fees.
The non-resident surcharge may be waived if you own commercial or residential property within Calgary. Contact the Planning Services Centre for more information.
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 ensure you can open your business easily 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 following:
- the location of the business,
- the proposed business activities
- how the space was used before your business
See the location approval section to learn more about what permits you may need.
How long will it take to process your application?
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.
| Example | Type of use |
|---|---|
| Your business will be selling 5 vehicles or less from a physical location |
Your business is Vehicle Sales – Minor |
| Your business will be selling more than 5 vehicles from a physical location |
Your business is Vehicle Sales – Major |
| Your business will repair or service 3 vehicles or less from a physical location |
Your business is Auto Service - Minor |
| Your business will repair or service more than 3 vehicles from a physical location |
Your business is Auto Service - Major |
| Your business is mobile repair or services; you travel to your clients but have a commercial location where you complete paperwork. No vehicles are stored or serviced on-site |
Your business is an office |
| Your business will provide auto body and paint services |
Your business is an Auto Body and Paint Shop
|
| Your business will repair or service large vehicles (vehicles over 4536 kilograms) |
Your business is Large Vehicle Service |
| Your business will sell large vehicles (over 4536 kilograms) and equipment used in road construction, building construction, agricultural operations, oil and gas, or other similar industries |
Your business is Large Vehicle and Equipment Sales |
| Your business sells or rents recreational vehicles, including motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, campers, tent trailers, boats or trailers use to transport recreational vehicles |
Your business is Recreational Vehicle Sales |
| Your business will repair or service recreational vehicles |
Your business is Recreational Vehicle Service
|
Additional requirements
Pre-treatment systems installation
For information on pre-treatment systems, review the Drainage Bylaw and the Wastewater Bylaw.
Mobile businesses
You will need a business licence for every location where you run a mobile business from. This means that one business set up in many parking lots across the city requires a separate licence for each location, or if there are multiple mobile businesses, each one requires its own licence.
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
Home Based Location
Your business will be run from your home in Calgary. You may have a desk/telephone operation, complete your paperwork at home, or you may have customers coming to your home to be considered a home based business.
If you want to run your business from your home, you will need to decide how your business will operate out of your home.
If you meet the rules of a home occupation class 1, this approval will be automatically granted when you apply for your business licence. It is valid until your business is no longer operating from your home.
If your business does not meet all the home occupation class 1 rules, you will need to apply for a home occupation class 2 development permit. This can be done before, at the same time, or after your business licence application. *
The table below will help you determine if you qualify for a home occupation class 1 or if you will need to make an application for a home occupation class 2. A home occupation class 2 development permit does not guarantee an approval.
-
Opening a Home-Based Business
March 16, 2023Hear from the Development, Business & Building Services team about land use approval, permits, fees, and timelines to get your business approved and open sooner.
| Home occupation class 1 | Home occupation class 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| You live in the home associated with the business: | Yes | Yes |
| The number of business related visits to your home per week: | 0 - 3 max. | 4 - 15 |
| The garage or related structure is used for the business: Note, a small storage area that is not impacting parking may be allowed for either. | No | Yes |
| A large vehicle (over 4,536 kg gross vehicle weight) is parked/stored at or near the home: | No | Yes |
| Employee or business partner working at your home (that does not also live there): | 0 | 1 |
| Your business is food-related, and you are using a kitchen in your home: | No | Yes |
*This table is for convenience only and does not include everything listed in our Land Use Bylaw. Please review the full list of rules located in the Land Use Bylaw section 207 “Home Occupation – Class 1” and section 208 “Home Occupation – Class 2.”
Fees, Timelines & Expiry
| Location approval | Fee schedule | Permit fee | Advertising fee | Total | Timeline | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home occupation class 1 | - | - | $0 | 5 business days | No expiry | |
| Home occupation class 2 | $449 | $32 | $481 | Approximately 10-12 weeks | Varies, refer to your permit's conditions of approval for the expiration |
Building permit (if applicable)
While many Motor Vehicle Repair and Service businesses are suitable to take place in residential garages, there are certain types of businesses that involve significant quantities of vehicle exhaust, as well as flammable or combustible liquids and gases. In some cases, special ventilation systems, and other significant upgrades to the garage’s exterior wall construction may be required to comply with the National Building Code (Alberta Edition).
The below table summarizes the most common types of these businesses and what Safety Codes permits are required:
| Business Type | Permit Requirements (if the work is taking place inside the garage) | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Window tinting, vehicle detailing, vehicle wraps, wheel balancing/tire swaps, vehicle inspections | Mechanical Permit | Vehicle exhaust needs to be exhausted for health reasons. |
| Oil change, Full service engine repair/swaps, Dent repair, Vehicle painting and body repair | Building Permit and Mechanical Permit |
Vehicle exhaust needs to be exhausted for health reasons. These services could involve storage or use of flammable/combustible liquids and gases; therefore these operations are commercial in scope. A typical residential garage (attached or detached), will likely require noncombustible wall framing and fire resistance rated walls, and fire separations (in the case of an attached garage), which are difficult and expensive alterations to make. |
Note: Electrical, plumbing or gas permits may also be required if the work involves installation of or alterations to electrical, plumbing or gas systems.
Building permit details and drawings can be submitted online or in person at the Planning Services Centre.
- 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
- Two pieces of government issued identification
required
*AMVIC - Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council
| Licence categories | Description | Location approval | Show ID | Police check | Fire | *AMVIC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Motor Vehicle Dealer – Premises |
Business stores, displays or sells motor vehicles from a physical location | |||||
|
Motor Vehicle Dealer – No Premises |
A business that sells motor vehicles, but does not store, display or advertise any motor vehicle within Calgary. | - | - | |||
|
Motor Vehicle Repair and Service |
Any business operations that include repairing, sanding or painting a motor vehicle, retail sales of incidental products or that service and repair motor vehicles. | - | - | |||
|
Auto Body Shop |
The business of repairing, sanding or painting motor vehicles and includes repairs or adjustments incidental to the trade of an auto body mechanic and the retail sales of incidental products, but does not include Fuel Sales/Storage |
| Licence categories | Description | Show ID | Police check | *AMVIC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Motor Vehicle Dealer – Premises |
Business stores, displays or sells motor vehicles from a permanent location | |||
|
Motor Vehicle Dealer – No Premises |
A business that sells motor vehicles, but does not store, display or advertise any motor vehicle within Calgary. | |||
|
Motor Vehicle Repair and Service |
Any business operations that include repairing, sanding or painting a motor vehicle, retail sales of incidental products or that service and repair motor vehicles. | - | - | |
|
Auto Body Shop |
The business of repairing, sanding or painting motor vehicles and includes repairs or adjustments incidental to the trade of an auto body mechanic and the retail sales of incidental products, but does not include Fuel Sales/Storage |
| Licence categories | Description | Show ID | Police check | *AMVIC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Motor Vehicle Repair and Service |
Any business operations that include repairing, sanding or painting a motor vehicle, retail sales of incidental products or that service and repair motor vehicles. | - | - | |
|
Auto Body Shop |
The business of repairing, sanding or painting motor vehicles and includes repairs or adjustments incidental to the trade of an auto body mechanic and the retail sales of incidental products, but does not include Fuel Sales/Storage |
Location approval
Show ID
Police Check
Fire
Alberta Health Services approval (AHS)
An Alberta Health Services (AHS) location inspection is required to ensure public safety. Any business involving the sale, preparation, manufacturing or storage of food products requires this inspection. Any business involved in personal service such as aesthetics or massage is also required to have this inspection. Contact AHS at 1-833-476-4743 for more information and to book a date.
Inspection results can be submitted:
- In person at the Planning Services Centre:
3rd floor, Municipal building, 800 Macleod Trail S.E. - By email: licencedivisionteam@calgary.ca
If AHS advised you that your business type does not require a health inspection, please record the name of the individual you spoke with, their telephone number, and the reason provided. Please provide these details to The City’s Planning Services Centre.
Please be aware of all current provincial public health restrictions for in-person dining.
| Business licence approval type | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Alberta Health Services | Contact AHS at 403-943-2288 for timelines |
Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC)
The Alberta government requires a license for certain motor vehicle business activities. You must contact the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) for details about obtaining a provincial licence. Visit Home - Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (amvic.org)
AMVIC requires confirmation of City planning approvals before they will issue a provincial AMVIC licence. Once AMVIC issues your provincial licence, you must provide it to The City of Calgary, which will then release your municipal business licence.
Applicants can present the AMVIC license:
- In person at the Planning Services Centre:
3rd floor
800 Macleod Trail S.E.
Calgary, AB
- By email: licencedivisionteam@calgary.ca