Calgary Restaurant Opening
End-to-end approval process for opening a new restaurant or food service establishment in Calgary. Covers Development Permit (change of use), Building Permit, trade permits, Alberta Health Services food establishment permit, optional liquor licence, and Business Licence.
Required documents
Documents that are always required for this workflow. Your specific list may vary based on project answers.
- ✓
Development Permit application — Eating / Drinking Establishment
Application for Development Permit to operate an eating/drinking establishment. Include seating count, hours, and operational description.
Approval node:
change_of_use_dp - ✓
Site plan showing parking counts, patio area, and building access
Approval node:
change_of_use_dp - ✓
Floor plan showing dining room layout and seating capacity
Approval node:
change_of_use_dp - ✓
Building Permit application with construction drawings
Approval node:
building_permit - ✓
Architectural drawings (stamped, with Alberta Building Code compliance notes)
Approval node:
building_permit - ✓
Mechanical drawings including exhaust hood and fire suppression system
Approval node:
mechanical_permit - ✓
Plumbing drawings showing grease interceptor location and sizing
Approval node:
plumbing_gas_permit - ✓
Alberta Health Services Food Establishment Permit application
AHS permit is required for all food service establishments. Apply at Alberta Health Services.
Approval node:
location_approval - ✓
AHS-approved food premises design drawings
Approval node:
location_approval - ✓
Alberta Corporate Registry certificate or trade name registration
Approval node:
business_registration - ✓
City of Calgary Business Licence application
Approval node:
business_licence_issuance
Conditional documents
Required only if certain project conditions apply.
- ○
Commercial kitchen equipment schedule
Node:
building_permit
Typical timelines
Timelines are estimates based on recent City of Calgary review data. Actual times vary based on application completeness and queue depth.
Development Permit for eating/drinking establishment: 30–60 calendar days typical review period.
Node: change_of_use_dp
Restaurant build-out building permits typically take 20–40 business days for review.
Node: building_permit
AHS Food Establishment Permit review: 10–20 business days after plans are submitted and approved.
Node: location_approval
Fee guidance
All fees are set by the relevant authority and change annually. Always verify against the current official fee schedule before budgeting.
Development Permit fee for eating/drinking establishment depends on gross floor area. Check City of Calgary fee schedule.
Estimated: CAD 1,000–5,000
Node: change_of_use_dp
Building permit fee based on construction value. Check the City of Calgary Fee Schedule (Schedule A).
Node: building_permit
AHS Food Establishment Permit fees vary. Check Alberta Health Services website for current rates.
Node: location_approval
Business licence fees are set annually. Restaurant licences may carry additional inspection fees.
Node: business_licence_issuance
Inspections
Rough-in inspection (framing, rough plumbing, mechanical, electrical)
Exhaust hood and fire suppression inspection
ConditionalFinal building inspection and occupancy confirmation
AHS pre-opening food premises inspection
This playbook is a public summary for informational purposes. It does not constitute professional regulatory, legal, or engineering advice. Project requirements depend on your specific address, proposed use, construction scope, and other factors. PermitPilot's full product evaluates your specific project after intake. Final approvals remain subject to City of Calgary review.
Ready to run this workflow for your project?
Book a demo and walk through your specific project against this playbook — with real document validation.
Book a demo