Calgary Condo & Apartment Moving Rules Every Renter Should Know

Calgary's Beltline, East Village, and downtown core have some of the densest condo development in Western Canada. If you're moving in or out of a high-rise, the rules are very different from a suburban house move. Elevator bookings, damage deposits, insurance certificates, restricted hours — miss any of these and your move can be delayed or denied entirely. Here's everything you need to know.

Book the Elevator 2–4 Weeks Ahead

Most Calgary condo buildings require advance elevator reservations for moves. The minimum notice is typically 3–14 days, but the industry best practice — and what we strongly recommend — is to book 2–4 weeks ahead. During peak periods (end of month, summer), booking a full month in advance is wise to secure your preferred time slot.

What to expect:

• Time slots are typically 3-hour blocks (9 AM–12 PM or 1 PM–4 PM). Some buildings allow up to 4 hours.

• Refundable damage deposit: $500 is standard, but premium buildings in Eau Claire, the Beltline, and East Village charge $500–$2,000.

• Non-refundable admin fee: $50–$200 on top of the damage deposit. This is common but not universal.

• Deposit is returned after inspection of the elevator, hallways, and corridors. Take photos before and after your move.

Always book the freight elevator, not the passenger elevator. The freight elevator is larger, has protective padding brackets, and is designed for heavy loads. If your building only has passenger elevators, make sure your mover knows — it affects what items can fit.

Get Your Certificate of Insurance (COI) Early

Many Calgary condos require your moving company to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before they'll allow the move to proceed. A COI proves the mover carries sufficient liability insurance to cover any damage to common areas — lobbies, elevators, hallways, and loading docks.

What the COI needs to show:

• General liability coverage: Minimum $2,000,000 (the Calgary condo standard; some buildings accept $1M but $2M is the norm)

• Additional Insured endorsement: The property management company and/or condo corporation must be named as "Additional Insured" on the policy

• Workers' compensation coverage for the moving crew

• Valid on the move date — the policy must be current, not expired

Timeline: Request the COI from your mover at least 5–7 business days before moving day (the insurer needs time to issue the Additional Insured endorsement). Submit it to your building management at least 1–2 business days before the move. Many buildings will deny the moving crew access on move day if the COI hasn't been received in advance.

Moving Hours: City Bylaw vs. Your Building's Rules

Calgary's Community Standards Bylaw (32M2023) sets the baseline permitted noise hours:

• Monday–Saturday: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM

• Sundays & statutory holidays: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM

But here's the catch: most Calgary condo buildings impose stricter hours than the city bylaw. Common building-imposed windows are 8 AM or 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays, sometimes extending to 6 PM or 8 PM. Many buildings prohibit Sunday and statutory holiday moves entirely, and some only allow Monday–Friday moves, blocking weekends altogether.

The building's rules override the city bylaw when they are stricter. Under the Alberta Condominium Property Act, condo boards have broad authority to set their own rules for common property use, including moving hours and procedures.

Know Your Legal Rights: Bylaws vs. Rules

Under Alberta's Condominium Property Act, there's an important legal distinction between condo bylaws and rules that affects what your building can actually enforce:

• Bylaws are ratified by owners and carry monetary sanctions: up to $500 for a first offence and $1,000 for subsequent violations. The corporation is legally required to enforce them.

• Rules are passed by the board alone. No monetary sanctions are allowed for rule breaches — only non-monetary consequences like loss of amenity access.

This matters because if your building's moving procedures are encoded only as "rules" (not bylaws), the condo corporation cannot fine you for breaking them. If they're written into the bylaws, fines can be levied.

New for 2026: Alberta is launching a new Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal (effective February 15, 2026) to handle condo bylaw disputes, financial disagreements, and maintenance issues. This tribunal will be faster and cheaper than going to court. Previously, the only options were mediation, arbitration, or the Court of King's Bench.

Major Calgary Property Management Companies

Each property management company has its own moving procedures. Here's who manages what in Calgary:

• Boardwalk (bwalk.com): One of Canada's largest residential landlords with numerous Calgary properties. Purpose-built rental apartments (not condos). Moving rules are communicated through their Resident Member Handbook provided at move-in. Contact your local building manager for specific elevator booking requirements.

• Minto Apartments: Operates four communities in Calgary including The International (downtown, connected to Plus 15 skywalk) and The Quarters (Quarry Park). Offers a 7-day satisfaction guarantee — cancel within 7 days of move-in without penalty.

• Avenue Living: Calgary-headquartered, operating apartments and townhomes across Western Canada. Move-out requires an inspection with an Avenue Living representative present, during which you return keys and access cards.

• Mainstreet Equity: Calgary-based REIT specializing in mid-market apartments. Multiple properties in the Beltline and inner city. Contact their office at (403) 215-6060 for building-specific moving rules.

• FirstService Residential & Tribe Management: Two of Alberta's largest condo management firms. They manage many downtown and Beltline condo corporations and tend to have the most formalized, well-documented moving procedures.

Floor & Elevator Protection

Almost every Calgary condo requires floor and elevator protection during a move. Who provides it varies by building:

• Some buildings provide their own elevator padding and require your movers to install it before starting.

• Most buildings require the moving company to supply and install protection: padded blankets on elevator walls, masonite board on elevator floors, carpet protectors in hallways, and corner guards on door frames.

• Failure to install required protection can result in the building refusing to let the move proceed or deducting repair costs from your damage deposit.

Confirm with your property manager who is responsible for protection before moving day. Let your movers know in advance so they come prepared.

Beltline-Specific Challenges

If you're moving in or out of the Beltline — Calgary's densest neighbourhood — expect extra complications:

Loading zones. Public loading zones allow free parking for up to 20 minutes but require licence plate registration. Many Beltline buildings have no dedicated loading dock or have docks accessible only from back alleys with tight clearances — some as low as 8–10 feet, which won't fit a full-size moving truck.

Rush hour no-stopping zones. 11th Avenue SW and 12th Avenue SW — the major one-way arteries through the Beltline — become "No Stopping" zones during rush hours (7:00–9:00 AM and 3:30–6:00 PM). A moving truck parked during these windows will be ticketed and towed immediately. Plan your move to avoid these times.

Street Use Permit. If you need to reserve curb space for your moving truck (and there's no loading dock available), you'll need a Street Use Permit and a Temporary No Parking Permit from the City of Calgary. Apply at least 72 hours in advance. "Emergency No Parking" signage must be placed 12 hours before the move. The permit is non-refundable and cannot be changed once payment is made.

15th Avenue cycling lane. On-street parking on the north side of 15th Avenue has been permanently removed between 12th Street SW and Macleod Trail to accommodate a protected cycling lane. If your building faces 15th Avenue, you'll need to find parking on a side street or use a rear alley.

Snow Route Parking Bans and Winter Moves

If you're moving during winter, snow route parking bans can disrupt your plans:

• When declared: After significant snowfall. The City announces bans via media, social media, and the 311 app. Bans typically take effect the day after the announcement.

• Duration: Up to 72 hours, but may be shortened if plowing finishes early.

• Downtown exception: Snow routes in ParkPlus zones and downtown are exempt during the day. The ban only applies from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM. This means daytime Beltline and East Village moves can still park on snow routes during a ban.

• Fines: Up to $120 ($80 if paid within 10 days). Vehicles may also be towed to an impound lot at additional cost.

Check the City of Calgary Snow Route Parking Bans map before scheduling a winter move. Have a backup parking plan identified in advance.

Your Pre-Move Condo Checklist

Here's the order of operations, counting back from move day:

• 4 weeks before: Contact property management for the building's specific moving rules. Book the freight elevator.

• 2 weeks before: Pay the damage deposit and any admin fees. Confirm permitted hours and floor protection requirements.

• 1 week before: Request the COI from your moving company. Ensure it names the condo corporation as Additional Insured.

• 72 hours before: Apply for a Street Use Permit if you need to reserve curb space (Beltline/downtown only).

• 1–2 days before: Submit the COI to building management. Place No Parking signage if you have a permit.

• Move day: Take photos of hallways, elevator, and common areas before starting. Install floor and elevator protection. Clear the route from parking to your unit. When finished, photograph everything again for your deposit return.

Ready to plan your Calgary condo move? Get a free moving quote from Two Small Men. Our crews are experienced with Calgary's high-rise buildings and come prepared with COIs, elevator protection, and the know-how to navigate Beltline loading docks.

For more on Calgary moving logistics, check out our Calgary movers page and our guide to moving costs in Calgary.