Short-term rental rules aren't the same two towns apart.
We operate across Alberta, but every market sets its own licensing, zoning, and ownership rules — some welcome investment properties, others restrict rentals to owner-occupants only. Here's what we track market by market.
Calgary
Investment properties are allowed, with a City business licence, a fire safety plan, and $2 million minimum liability insurance required. Short-term rental is defined as stays up to 180 consecutive days. A moratorium on new non-primary-residence licences can trigger if the city's rental vacancy rate drops below 2.5% — it isn't in effect currently.
Open marketWhat we watch across the rest of the province.
This is the research our acquisitions side runs before recommending — or ruling out — a property outside Calgary.
Edmonton
The most flexible major market we've reviewed. No principal-residence rule, no annual night cap, and a low annual licence fee. Requires an approved guest-management plan.
OpenCanmore
Restricted to properties zoned Tourist Home or Hotel Condominium — most residential zones are off-limits, and no new Tourist Home zoning is being approved.
Zoning-dependentDead Man's Flats
Runs through a development permit rather than a simple licence, with guest caps and a required fire inspection. Rules are actively being rewritten.
Permit-heavySylvan Lake
Rentals must be applied for by the owner-occupant personally — a business or investment structure cannot hold the licence.
Owner-occupant onlyRocky Mountain House
No short-term-rental-specific bylaw turned up in our review — operating here falls under the town's standard business licence, plus the province-wide Alberta Fire Code requirements (working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers). Demand is tied to hunting, fishing, and highway traffic, so it's smaller and more seasonal than the mountain corridor.
Open, lower demandCochrane, Red Deer, Lethbridge
Same pattern as Rocky Mountain House — a standard business licence and Alberta Fire Code compliance, with no short-term-rental-specific bylaw identified at time of review. Worth re-checking directly before buying, since local rules can change without much notice.
Open, unverified detailBanff
Broadly prohibits short-term rentals outside approved, owner-occupied bed and breakfasts. Not a market we'd recommend pursuing as an investment property.
Not viableConsidering somewhere else?
If it's not listed here, we haven't reviewed it yet — ask us and we'll check before you make an offer.
Ask us →Rules change. This reflects our last verification, not a legal opinion.
Always confirm current rules directly with the municipality before buying or listing a property. If you want this checked against the current bylaw for a specific address, ask us before you commit to anything.