Can Alberta Landlords and Condos Ban Cats? Calgary & Edmonton Rules

Can an Alberta condo ban cats?

Alberta's condominium framework allows a corporation to create its own bylaws governing the use and management of units and common property. Government of Alberta guidance specifically warns purchasers to review the registered bylaws because they may affect whether a pet can be kept in the condominium.

A board cannot simply turn a casual policy into a new unit-use prohibition. Alberta distinguishes rules from bylaws: rules are easier for a board to make, but provincial guidance says rules cannot restrict the use of units. A substantive pet restriction affecting whether a resident may keep a cat therefore needs to be supported by the condominium's bylaws.

How does an Alberta condo change a pet bylaw?

Section 32 of the Condominium Property Act says bylaws may be amended, repealed or replaced by special resolution. Government guidance explains that a special resolution requires approval from at least 75% of eligible owners representing at least 75% of the condominium's total unit factors. It is not merely 75% of the people who happen to cast a vote at one meeting.

The change also does not take effect merely because the vote passes. Section 32 requires the corporation to file the amendment with the Registrar and have the filing noted on the condominium plan.

Does Section 32 automatically grandfather an existing cat?

No. The previous version of this guide incorrectly described Section 32 as a statutory “non-conforming use” protection for pets. The current section says that owners and anyone in possession of a unit are bound by the bylaws and sets out how bylaws are changed and registered. It does not contain an automatic pet-grandfathering clause.

A particular condominium may voluntarily include a grandfather clause when it adopts a stricter pet bylaw. In addition, Alberta courts can examine whether a corporation's conduct is oppressive, unfairly prejudicial or significantly unfair in the specific facts of a dispute. In Owners: Condominium Plan No. 762 1302 v. Stebbing, for example, an Alberta court allowed a cat to remain after finding the corporation's treatment of that owner unfair in context. That case is not a universal rule that every pre-existing cat is automatically exempt from every later pet bylaw.

What if the condo pet bylaw was passed incorrectly?

Start by obtaining the registered bylaw amendment and records showing how the special resolution was approved. Alberta's new Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal (CDRT) began operating on April 1, 2026, but its jurisdiction is limited. It currently deals with monetary sanctions, access to condominium documents, and disputes about general or special general meetings.

That means the CDRT may be relevant if a pet dispute involves a fine, access to voting/bylaw records, or the validity of a meeting process. It does not automatically have jurisdiction over every request to declare a pet bylaw invalid or every removal dispute. Issues outside the tribunal's jurisdiction may still require negotiation, legal advice or the Court of King's Bench.

RECA is not the general tribunal for condo-board disputes. RECA regulates licensed condominium managers and expressly says it does not investigate complaints about condominium boards/corporations or Condominium Property Act disputes.

Can an Alberta landlord say “no cats”?

Generally, yes. Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act does not invalidate pet clauses the way Ontario legislation does. Alberta's own tenancy guidance lists pets among the rules that may be included in a residential tenancy agreement, and tenants must follow agreement terms that do not conflict with the RTA.

However, once a tenancy agreement exists, the landlord cannot simply add a new no-pet clause by announcement. Alberta guidance says a residential tenancy agreement may be amended during the tenancy only if both landlord and tenant agree to the new terms and the amendment complies with the law.

Does breaking a no-pet clause mean automatic eviction?

No. A lease breach is serious, but “cat discovered = automatic eviction in 14 days” is too simplistic. Under Alberta's tenancy framework, a landlord may seek termination through RTDRS or court when there is a substantial breach, or may serve the statutory notice where the legal requirements are met. Whether a particular pet-clause breach amounts to a substantial breach can depend on the agreement and circumstances.

If a tenant receives a 14-day notice for a substantial breach other than non-payment of rent, Alberta's process allows a written objection before the termination date. If the dispute continues, the landlord generally needs an order through RTDRS or court to recover possession.

RTDRS fees changed in 2026

The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service handles many landlord-tenant disputes under the RTA. Since April 1, 2026, its filing fees are tiered:

• $75 for claims or counterclaims of $7,500 or less;
• $150 for claims over $7,500;
• $100 for a counterclaim over $7,500 when an active application already exists between the same parties.

Fee waivers can be available for eligible applicants experiencing financial hardship. The old article's single “RTDRS costs $75” statement is therefore no longer complete.

Calgary cat bylaws: licence and six-cat limit

Calgary's current Responsible Pet Ownership rules require cat owners to obtain a City licence. Calgary states that cats and dogs three months or older must be licensed.

The City's current ownership limit is six cats per household, not four. Calgary offers an excess-animal permit process for households that need to exceed the limit. Owners must also keep cats on the owner's property and prevent nuisance, damage, chasing, threats or attacks.

Edmonton changed its animal bylaw in May 2026

Edmonton's new Animal Care and Control Bylaw 21244 took effect on May 19, 2026, replacing the old framework referenced in the original article.

Under current City guidance, all cats and dogs over six months must have a valid Edmonton pet licence, including indoor cats. The current residential maximum is six cats, three dogs and four rabbits. Edmonton also created a Temporary Excess Animal Permit process for qualifying rescue/foster situations and extraordinary circumstances.

Edmonton advises that cats are safest indoors. A cat roaming onto another person's private property may be trapped and taken to Animal Care & Control.

Calgary vs Edmonton cat rules

Service animals, support animals and cats in Alberta housing

This area needs careful terminology. Alberta's specific Guide Dogs Act and Service Dogs Act protections concern qualified dogs. A cat is not automatically transformed into a legally qualified “service animal” by an online certificate.

Human-rights law is broader. The Alberta Human Rights Commission says landlords and condominium corporations must accommodate qualified guide/service dogs to the point of undue hardship and may also have a duty to accommodate other assistance or support animals, including emotional-support or companion animals. Whether that duty exists depends on the circumstances and reliable medical information confirming the person's disability and disability-related need for the animal.

What should an Alberta cat owner do before signing?

1. Read the tenancy agreement. Look for no-pet clauses, number/type restrictions, approval requirements and any pet fees.
2. If it is a condo, obtain the registered condo bylaws. A landlord saying “cats are fine” does not override a condominium bylaw.
3. Get approval in writing. Save emails, pet applications and board approvals.
4. Check municipal licensing. Calgary and Edmonton both require cat licences under their current rules.
5. If accommodation is disability-related, make a written accommodation request. Provide reliable medical information showing the need without disclosing more medical detail than reasonably necessary.

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