Moving or changing addresses
Apply to move your business
Location
If you are considering moving your business there are many factors that can impact your decision. The Planning Services Centre can help you determine if a location is suitable for your business and what approvals you may need for the new site.
When you are ready to apply to move your business:
- Apply online at apply.calgary.ca by signing into your myID Business account. If you do not have a myID business account, you will have to create one first.
OR
Fees
Business licences and approvals are location-specific. When you move a business, it is treated like a new licence application with new approvals and inspections. There is no base licence fees for a move, but fees will be charged for applicable planning and fire approvals.
2024 Business Licence Fee Schedule
Change of mailing address, no change of physical location
If you are only changing your mailing address and not the physical location, an update can be done to your business licence free of charge:
- Apply online at apply.calgary.ca by signing into your myID Business account. If you do not have a myID business account, you will have to create one first.
OR
Business name or ownership change
Please notify us if your business changes ownership. In some instances, a new business licence is required.
Please advise of changes through one of these two options:
- Manage your business online by signing into your myID Business account at apply.calgary.ca. If you do not have a myID business account, you will have to create one first.
- Visit us in person at the Planning Services Centre.
Adding/removing a partner
If you are adding or removing a partner from an existing partnership, the business is required to submit a letter signed by all owners.
Adding/removing a director
When a director is added to or deleted from a corporation, the customer must provide a copy of a corporate registry search showing the current directors or a copy of the filed notice of directors obtained from an Alberta Registry.
Amalgamation
An amalgamation is the merging of two or more businesses into a single legal entity or ownership. This requires a copy of the Certificate of Amalgamation, including the registry forms, to ensure the change is current.
Purchased/sold a business (change of ownership)
When a business changes ownership, the existing business licence must be closed and a new one must be created for the new owner. The individual(s) purchasing the business are required to set up a new licence. The individual(s) selling the business must close their licence.
Corporate entity name change (amendment)
When a corporate entity legally changes (amends) its name, The City requires a copy of the Certificate of Amendment.
Corporation is formed (incorporation) or dissolved
Home-based business only:
If a sole proprietor changes to a corporation (and is the only director) or a partnership changes to a corporation (and those partners become the only directors), copies of the certificate of incorporation showing the directors must be provided to The City.
If a home-based corporation is dissolved to a sole proprietor or a partnership, with the corporate director(s) forming the new owners, documentation showing the changes must be provided to The City, to update the business licence.
Commercial-based business only:
If a sole proprietor or partnership changes to a corporation, a new business licence is required. All associated approvals and inspections for the business location and all applicable fees are required to obtain the new licence.
If a commercial-based corporation is dissolved, a new business licence is required. All associated approvals and inspections for the business location and all applicable fees are required to obtain the new licence.
Corporation taken over
Takeover means acquiring control of a corporation by stock purchase or exchange. The directors and shareholders may or may not change.
This includes corporations that add the year to its corporate title. For example, 123456 Alberta Ltd. is a different corporate entity than 123456 Alberta (1996) Ltd.
This also includes a completely different corporation taking over another. For example, Coal Inc. is taken over by a new owner, Coal Springs Investments Inc. This is a new ownership and a new business.
The existing business licence must be closed and a new one must be created for the new owner. The individual(s) purchasing the business are required to set up a new licence and the individual(s) selling the business must close the business licence.
Trade name change
Changes to a trade name do not require a new licence, as long as ownership remains the same.
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