How to get permitted in Calgary

The short version

Selling hot meals cooked at home in Alberta requires an AHS Food Handling Permit, and that permit is issued for an approved kitchen — one AHS has inspected. A regular family kitchen is usually not that kitchen. Tiffin Finder only lists kitchens that hold a permit for the kitchen they cook in.

Why the home-based exemption doesn’t cover tiffins

Alberta has an exemption that lets people sell some low-risk foods made in a home kitchen without a permit. As we understand it, that exemption covers only shelf-stable foods, and it does not cover meat, poultry or seafood.

A tiffin is a hot, ready-to-eat meal that needs to be kept at safe temperatures. Dals, curries, rice and rotis are not shelf-stable, so tiffin meals are not covered by the exemption. Confirm with AHS if you’re unsure where your food lands.

The routes kitchens typically take

1. 1

   A permitted second kitchen at home

   Some kitchens build or convert a separate kitchen space at home that AHS can inspect and approve. On the City side this usually means a Home Occupation – Class 2 development permit, because customers, deliveries or helpers come to the property.

2. 2

   Cooking in someone else’s permitted kitchen

   Others rent time in a kitchen that already holds a permit — a commercial kitchen, a community kitchen or a restaurant during its closed hours. You’ll still need your own permit or an arrangement AHS accepts for that space, so ask before you sign.

3. 3

   A City of Calgary business licence

   Separately from the AHS permit, food businesses in Calgary generally need a Food Service – Premises business licence from the City.

Who to call

What Tiffin Finder checks

Before a kitchen is listed we ask to see its current AHS Food Handling Permit and confirm the kitchen it names is the one the meals are cooked in. When that checks out, the listing shows a badge like “Permit verified · 15 Sep 2026” with the date we saw it. Until then it shows “Verification pending” and ordering stays closed.

Verification is our check that a permit exists and is current. It is not an inspection result, a grade, or any kind of endorsement by AHS. Kitchens must tell us if their permit changes, and we remove any listing that receives an AHS closure order.

This is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed September 2026.