Parkland County's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw controls the number of animals and livestock permitted on residential and agricultural parcels.

Cats and dogs

On any residential parcel smaller than 0.81 ha (2 acres) in size, you can have a maximum of four dogs or cats.

On any residential parcel larger than 0.81 ha (2 acres), you can have a maximum of four dogs. There is no regulation on the number of cats on parcels over 0.81 ha (2 acres), as long as the pet owner complies with the Animal Protection Act.

Livestock

On residential or agricultural parcels between 0.81 ha (2 acres) and 16.1 ha (39.9 acres), allowable animal/bird units are as follows:

Parcel size# of animal/bird units

0.81 to 1.21 ha (2 to 2.99 acres)

1

1.22 to 1.61 ha (3 to 3.99 acres)

2

1.62 to 2.02 ha (4 to 4.99 acres)

3

2.03 to 2.42 ha (5 to 5.99 acres)

4

2.43 to 4.04 ha (6 to 9.99 acres)

5

4.05 ha or greater

5*

*Plus the number of animal/bird units permitted for that portion of the parcel in excess of 4.05 ha (10 acres)

Example: 5.26 ha (13 acres) = 5 + 2 = 7 animal/bird units

One animal/bird unit means:

  • 2 horses, donkeys, mules or asses
  • 2 llamas, 3 alpacas or guanaco
  • 1 cow, 1 steer (over 1 year old), or 1 swine
  • 2 calves up to 1 year old
  • 15 chickens
  • 10 ducks, turkeys, pheasants, geese or other similar fowl
  • 3 sheep or goats
  • 20 rabbits or similar rodents
  • 2 ostriches, emus or other ratites
Hen Allowances

Notwithstanding the chart above, properties between 0.405 to 0.81 ha (1 to 1.99 acres) are permitted to have hens in accordance with the following:

  • maximum of 6 hens
  • roosters are prohibited
  • on-site slaughtering is prohibited
  • minimum coop requirements are 0.37m2 of indoor space per bird, 0.92m2 of outdoor space per bird (building permit may be required)
  • Premises Identification (PID) number from the Province of Alberta required
Excess Animal Units

Residents on properties greater than 0.81 ha (2 acres) may apply to have more than the designated animal units if the property is being used for agricultural purposes.

A request for an Excess Animal Unit Application may be made to the Director of Enforcement Services by emailing enforcement@parklandcounty.com