Quick answer. Calgary Bylaw Services' 2026 landlord-relevant enforcement priorities: (1) the Secondary Suite Amnesty Program ends December 31, 2026 — after which standard permit and inspection fees (~$1,200-$2,500) resume plus increased enforcement visibility on unregistered suites; (2) Short-Term Rental Business Licence verification continues, with $10,000-per-infraction fines for unlicensed operators and platform coordination for listing verification; (3) Business Licence Bylaw 32M98 enforcement extends to property management operators — RECA-licensed brokerages are compliant by default; individual owners operating specific licence-required activities must verify their category; (4) property standards enforcement (Community Standards Bylaw 5M2004) responds primarily to neighbour complaints on issues like snow removal, unruly properties, garbage accumulation, and unsafe conditions. Landlord practical implications: complete secondary suite legalization before December 31 to capture the amnesty; verify STR licence status if operating any short-term rental; ensure snow removal, garbage handling, and property standards are documented in the tenant lease with clear responsibility allocation to avoid Bylaw complaints. Sources: City of Calgary Bylaw Services enforcement priorities, Secondary Suite Amnesty Program deadline, Business Licence Bylaw 32M98.
1. Secondary Suite Amnesty — Final Months
The Secondary Suite Amnesty Program continues through December 31, 2026. During the amnesty, City fees for Development Permit, Building Permit, and safety-code inspections on existing (already-built) suite legalization are WAIVED. After December 31, standard fees ($1,200-$2,500 range depending on scope) apply, plus historically increased Bylaw enforcement visibility on unregistered suites following amnesty program conclusions. Calgary landlords with unregistered basement or backyard suites have 4 months to submit the permit application to capture the amnesty. See our full guide at /blog/calgary-secondary-suite-amnesty-2026-deadline for the complete timeline and step-by-step process.
2. Short-Term Rental Licence Verification
Since April 2025 changes to Business Licence Bylaw 32M98, Calgary requires all short-term rental operators (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, other) to hold a Short-Term Rental Business Licence in one of two categories: Primary Residence (host lives in the property) or Non-Primary Residence (investment property). Enforcement:
- Fines up to $10,000 per infraction for unlicensed STR operation.
- Platform coordination: Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com verify licence numbers on Calgary listings and can suspend or remove unlicensed listings.
- Since 2024, CRA can deny expenses and CCA claims for non-compliant STRs, adding federal tax cost to municipal fines.
- Combined penalty stack for unlicensed operation typically exceeds any conceivable profit.
For Calgary STR operators, licensing is essentially the only viable path — see our STR compliance guide at /blog/calgary-airbnb-str-rules-2026-host-compliance.
3. Property Management Business Licence Verification
Individuals or firms managing residential rentals on behalf of other owners in Alberta must hold a RECA Property Management licence under a RECA-licensed brokerage — this is Alberta regulatory (not Calgary municipal), but Calgary Bylaw Services will refer suspected unlicensed operation to RECA where identified. RECA fines for unlicensed property management can exceed $100,000, and at least one Alberta operator has been jailed for contempt after failing to comply with a RECA order. Owner-operators (managing only their own property) do NOT need RECA licensing; managing anyone else's property does.
4. Property Standards Complaints
The Community Standards Bylaw (5M2004) covers issues that Bylaw Services responds to on complaint:
- Snow and ice removal from sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall (Calgary specific).
- Garbage and recycling handling.
- Property standards (unsafe conditions, structural issues, exterior maintenance).
- Unruly properties (chronic noise, disturbance to neighbours).
- Long grass, weeds, unmaintained yards.
- Improper burning or open-air fires.
For landlord-owned properties, the OWNER is typically responsible for Bylaw compliance unless the lease specifically transfers responsibility to the tenant. Snow removal: default is owner responsibility for the front sidewalk; a lease clause can shift this to the tenant. Garbage: tenant responsibility for putting bins out, owner responsibility for ensuring bins are provided. Yard maintenance: typically negotiated in the lease. Clear allocation in the lease avoids finger-pointing when a Bylaw complaint arrives.
The Complaint Response Process
Bylaw complaints typically result in:
- Bylaw officer investigation (often includes site visit).
- Notice to the owner (or tenant, depending on issue) requiring correction within a specified timeframe.
- Fines if the issue is not corrected within the timeframe.
- In extreme cases (unsafe structures, hazardous conditions), immediate action orders.
Responding promptly to Bylaw notices is important. Bylaw officers have significant discretion in how they escalate; landlords who cooperate and correct issues typically avoid escalation, landlords who ignore or delay typically face fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for snow removal on a rental property — landlord or tenant?
Default under Calgary bylaws: property owner is responsible. This can be shifted to the tenant in the lease. Best practice: explicit lease clause with the specific timeframe (within 24 hours of snowfall) and clear consequence for non-compliance.
What is the difference between Calgary Bylaw enforcement and RECA enforcement?
Calgary Bylaw Services enforces municipal bylaws (property standards, business licensing including STR). RECA enforces the Real Estate Act (property management licensing, brokerage compliance). Different mandates, different penalty frameworks, often complementary on issues like unlicensed property management by an operator without a Calgary business licence AND without RECA authorisation.
How do I check if my rental property has any active bylaw complaints or infractions?
Contact the City of Calgary at 311 with the property address. Some enforcement records are also searchable through open-data portals.
Does UrbanLease handle bylaw compliance for managed properties?
Yes. UrbanLease maintains RECA-licensed property management authorisation under Chabi.ca, coordinates STR licensing where relevant (though STR management is generally outside our core service), tracks snow removal and property standards compliance in leases with clear responsibility allocation, and handles any Bylaw notices received on managed properties. Property management services provided by Chabi.ca.
Bottom Line
Calgary's 2026 Bylaw landscape for landlords: 4 months remaining on the Secondary Suite Amnesty, active STR licence enforcement with $10,000 fines and CRA expense denial, RECA property management licence enforcement with $100,000+ fines, and property standards complaint response driven primarily by neighbour reports. Complete the suite amnesty before December 31, license every STR before listing, ensure clear responsibility allocation in leases for snow and property standards. UrbanLease operates under RECA-licensed management with bylaw compliance built into every managed tenancy under Chabi.ca.
Reviewed 2026-08-02. General information only. Verify current bylaw requirements, fees, and enforcement priorities with the City of Calgary and RECA directly.