Eligible residency

Banff National Park

Living in Banff or Lake Louise is different from living in other communities. Only people who meet Parks Canada’s eligible residency criteria may live in Banff National Park. This helps ensure housing is reserved for people who support park operations and services.

Eligibility

For most people, eligibility means being employed in a job that requires you to work in the national park.

According to the National Parks Lease and License of Occupation Regulations an eligible resident is defined as:

  • (a) an individual whose primary employment is in the park,

  • (b) an individual who operates a business in the park and whose presence at the place of business is necessary for the day-to-day operation of the business,

  • (c) a retired individual who resides in the park and who, for five consecutive years immediately prior to retirement,

    • (i) was employed primarily in that park, or

    • (ii) operated a business in that park and whose presence at the place of business was necessary for the day-to-day operation of the business,

  • (d) a retired individual who resided in the park at the time of the individual’s retirement and who resided in that park on July 30, 1981,

  • (e) an individual who is a student in full-time attendance at an educational institution that is located within the park and registered under the Income Tax Act or applicable provincial legislation relating to education,

  • (f) an individual who is a lessee of public lands in the park and who

    • (i) was the lessee of those public lands prior to May 19, 1911, or

    • (ii) is a descendant, by blood or adoption, of an individual who was the lessee of those public lands prior to May 19, 1911, or

  • (g) the spouse or common-law partner or a dependant of an individual referred to in any of paragraphs (a) to (f); (résident admissible)

Roles and responsibilities

Parks Canada administers and enforces eligible residency requirements in Banff National Park. Eligibility is confirmed during realty transactions, such as home purchases, and requires affidavits or solemn declarations.

Individuals living in Banff National Park must meet eligible residency requirements. Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their tenants meet these requirements.

Parks Canada and the Town of Banff work closely together to educate the community about eligibility.

 

Common situations

You work remotely, commute to work outside the park, or run an online business

If your job or business is based outside Banff National Park, you are not an eligible resident.

To qualify through employment, you must work at a physical business located in a commercial area within Banff National Park. Home Occupations (home-based businesses) are located in residential areas and do not meet eligible residency requirements.

You may still be eligible if you are the spouse, common‑law partner, or dependent of someone who meets the residency requirements.

You have a business licence

As a business owner, having a business licence does not automatically make you eligible to live in Banff National Park.

To qualify, your business must:

  • Operate from a physical commercial location in Banff National Park, and
  • Require your regular, day‑to‑day presence to run it.

Home Occupation businesses and Bed & Breakfasts do not meet residency requirements.

You are not eligible, but someone in your household is

You may live in Banff National Park if you are a spouse, common-law partner, or a dependent of an eligible resident. Contact Banff National Park Realty if you have questions about whether your relationship qualifies. 

You want to own property in Banff, but do not live here

You cannot buy land in Banff National Park. Land is leased from Parks Canada.

Non-residents may own leasehold properties without living in Banff. However, leasing property does not make you eligible to live in the park.

Anyone living in a leasehold property must meet eligible residency requirements.

Leasehold properties cannot be used as secondary homes or vacation homes.

You want to lease commercial space, but do not live in Banff

You do not need to be an eligible resident to lease commercial property in Banff National Park.

However, you must be an eligible resident to live in the park.

Questions about eligibility?

If you have questions, please contact:

Banff National Park, Realty and Municipal Services Office

banffrealty-immobiliers@pc.gc.ca 

Disclaimer

This website has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various codes and regulations currently in effect. It is meant solely to provide information that may be of general assistance to interested parties. The Realty department should always be contacted for accurate information.

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