Quick answer. The Alberta Residential Tenancies Act does not contain direct provisions about pets. Calgary landlords have full discretion to allow or refuse pets, set breed and size restrictions, and structure pet-related fees. The financial structures that are lawful: a refundable pet deposit that counts within the one-month total security deposit cap under section 44, a non-refundable pet fee that is clearly disclosed in the lease and reasonable in amount, or a monthly pet rent surcharge added to the base rent. Combined total deposits (security deposit plus any refundable pet deposit) cannot exceed one month's rent. For condo and townhouse rentals in Calgary, the condo corporation's bylaws can impose additional pet restrictions that override what the landlord might otherwise allow.
What the RTA Actually Says About Pets
Section 44 of the RTA caps total security deposits at one month's rent. Beyond that statutory cap, the Alberta RTA does not regulate pets directly. There is no human rights or tenancy protection for pet ownership analogous to family status or source of income. A landlord may refuse pets entirely, refuse specific breeds or sizes, refuse multiple pets, or set additional terms that pet owners must accept as a condition of the tenancy. None of these decisions raises legal exposure under the RTA or the Alberta Human Rights Act in 2026.
The practical exception is service animals. Service animals supporting a person with a disability are protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act regardless of any no-pets policy. A landlord cannot refuse to rent to a tenant because the tenant has a service animal, and cannot impose pet-specific fees or deposits on service animals. Emotional support animals occupy a more contested middle ground; consult a lawyer before refusing a tenant who presents an emotional support animal documentation request.
The Three Lawful Pet Financial Structures
1. Refundable pet deposit (counts within the section 44 cap)
A refundable pet deposit is treated identically to a security deposit under the RTA. It must be held in the same trust account, accrues interest at the prescribed rate, is returned at move-out subject to itemized deductions, and the total of all refundable deposits cannot exceed one month's rent. In practice, if rent is $1,800 per month, the landlord can collect $1,800 total in refundable deposits, whether labeled as a security deposit or split between security and pet deposit. There is no extra room for a refundable pet deposit beyond the cap.
2. Non-refundable pet fee (allowed if clearly disclosed)
A non-refundable pet fee is a separate charge, paid once at the start of the tenancy, that does not need to be returned. Calgary landlords commonly charge $200 to $500 as a non-refundable pet fee. Two requirements for the fee to survive review: it must be clearly stated in the lease before signing, and the amount must be reasonable. RTDRS occasionally reviews fees that appear designed to circumvent the section 44 cap; if a non-refundable pet fee approaches a full month's rent, it can be reclassified as a deposit and refunded to the tenant.
3. Monthly pet rent surcharge
A monthly pet rent surcharge is added to the base rent throughout the tenancy. Calgary norms in 2026 are $25 to $75 per month per pet. The pet rent is fully part of the monthly rent for all RTA purposes including the 365-day rule on increases and the 3 full tenancy months notice rule. Many Calgary landlords prefer this structure because it produces ongoing revenue rather than a single up-front charge and aligns the cost with the duration of pet wear and tear.
How Calgary Landlords Combine These Structures
The most common 2026 combination on a Calgary rental:
- Standard security deposit equal to one month's rent (no separate pet deposit, since combined refundable deposits cannot exceed the one-month cap).
- Non-refundable pet fee of $250 to $400, disclosed in the lease, charged once at signing.
- Monthly pet rent of $40 to $60 per pet, added to the base rent throughout the tenancy.
- Pet declaration in the lease specifying species, breed, weight, age, and any conditions.
- Tenant carries tenant insurance with pet liability coverage.
Breed and Size Restrictions
Calgary landlords can impose breed and size restrictions without breaching the RTA or human rights protections. Common 2026 restrictions:
- Dogs over a specific weight (often 25 to 50 pounds).
- Specific breeds the landlord considers higher risk (this list varies by landlord and insurer).
- Number of pets (often capped at one or two).
- Age restrictions (puppies and senior dogs often subject to additional terms).
- Specific exclusions on exotic pets (reptiles, primates, livestock).
Check with the insurance broker before setting breed policy. Some insurers exclude coverage for specific breeds, which can make a tenant's pet effectively uninsurable on the landlord policy.
The Condo Bylaw Layer in Calgary
For Calgary condo rentals, the condominium corporation's bylaws can impose pet restrictions that the landlord must respect regardless of personal preference. Common condo pet bylaw structures:
- No pets at all (older buildings).
- Maximum number of pets per unit.
- Maximum dog weight (often 25 to 50 pounds).
- Pet registration requirement with the condo board.
- Breed prohibitions enforced at the building level.
- Pet behaviour rules (leash requirements in common areas, noise standards).
Before a Calgary landlord agrees to a pet in a condo rental, the landlord should review the current bylaws and confirm the specific pet would comply. Authorizing a pet that the condo bylaws prohibit puts the landlord in breach with the condo corporation, which can lead to fines and orders to remove the pet.
Building a Pet-Friendly Marketing Strategy
If your Calgary property is pet-friendly, market the feature explicitly. Buyers searching rental listings on rentfaster.ca filter heavily by pet policy. A unit labelled pet-friendly receives substantially more inquiries than a unit silent on pet policy. Specific marketing tactics:
- Include pet-friendly in the headline of the listing.
- Specify what is allowed (dogs up to a defined weight, cats, small caged pets) and what is not.
- Mention nearby off-leash parks, dog runs, and pet amenities. Calgary has more than 150 off-leash areas across the city.
- Highlight pet-friendly building features: hard flooring, fenced yard, easy outdoor access, ground-floor units.
- Include any pet fee structure in the listing so applicants understand the cost up front.
- Photograph the unit with pet-friendly framing where genuine.
Pet Screening as Part of Tenant Screening
When evaluating a tenant applicant with a pet, the pet is part of the screening, not separate from it. Reasonable pet-related screening questions:
- Species, breed, weight, age, and number of pets.
- Spayed or neutered status (some landlords prefer altered animals).
- Vaccination records and licensing (Calgary requires dog licensing through the City).
- Veterinarian contact for reference.
- Previous landlord references that can confirm the pet's behaviour in a rental environment.
- Any history of pet-related complaints, bites, or damage.
Document the pet declaration in the lease and treat any unauthorized additional pets as a substantial breach of the lease.
Pet Damage in Practice
Pet damage is one of the more common categories of move-out claims. Patterns Calgary landlords see:
- Carpet damage from urine, vomit, scratching. Often requires professional cleaning at minimum, full replacement in severe cases.
- Door, baseboard, and trim scratching, particularly from dogs left alone for long periods.
- Odor (smoke, urine, dander) that requires professional treatment or sealing.
- Yard damage in single-family rentals from dog activity.
- Fleas and other parasites requiring professional treatment.
All of these are deductible from the security deposit at move-out, supported by the move-in and move-out inspection reports and contractor invoices. Pets do not change the depreciation framework that RTDRS applies; carpet has the same 5 to 7 year useful life whether the tenant had a pet or not.
Why Pet-Friendly Pays in Calgary 2026
In Calgary's softer 2026 rental market, pet-friendly units lease faster and at modestly higher rents than pet-restricted equivalents. Calgary has one of the highest household pet-ownership rates in Canada; estimates suggest 50 to 60 percent of households have at least one pet. Pet-restricted units exclude the majority of the applicant pool in a market where applicant volume is already lower than it was in 2022 to 2023.
Pet-friendly units typically lease 30 to 50 percent faster on days-on-market metrics in inner-city walkable neighbourhoods. The modest premium achievable on rent (an extra $25 to $75 per month) plus the non-refundable pet fee usually offsets the incremental wear and tear over a multi-year tenancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a landlord refuse pets in Alberta?
Yes. The RTA does not require landlords to accept pets. A landlord can refuse pets entirely, refuse specific breeds, or set conditions. The exception is service animals, which are protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act.
Can a landlord charge a pet deposit in Alberta?
A refundable pet deposit can be charged, but it counts within the one-month total deposit cap under section 44 of the RTA. A non-refundable pet fee can be charged separately if it is clearly disclosed in the lease and reasonable in amount. Monthly pet rent surcharges are also permitted.
How much can a Calgary landlord charge for a pet?
Common 2026 ranges: $200 to $500 for a non-refundable pet fee, $25 to $75 per month per pet in pet rent, and a modest rent premium on pet-friendly versus pet-restricted units. Refundable pet deposits fit within the one-month cap and rarely come into play in practice.
Are emotional support animals protected in Alberta rentals?
Service animals are protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act. Emotional support animals occupy a more contested legal area; landlords should consult legal counsel before refusing a tenant who presents emotional support animal documentation. Best practice is to evaluate the specific documentation and circumstances rather than apply a blanket policy.
Can a condo bylaw override a landlord pet policy in Calgary?
Yes. Condominium bylaws bind both the unit owner and any tenant of the unit. A condo bylaw prohibiting pets means the landlord cannot agree to a pet regardless of personal preference. Always review the current condo bylaws before agreeing to a pet tenant in a condo rental.
Can a landlord ban specific dog breeds in Alberta?
Yes. Breed restrictions are permitted under the RTA. Many Calgary landlords align breed policy with insurer requirements, since some insurers exclude coverage for specific breeds.
What happens if a tenant gets a pet without permission?
Unauthorized pets are a breach of the lease and can support a 14-day notice for substantial breach under section 30 of the RTA. The notice gives the tenant 14 clear days to remove the unauthorized pet or vacate. A documented pattern of unauthorized pet activity is stronger evidence at RTDRS than a single incident.
Do I have to allow more than one pet?
No. A landlord can limit pets to a specific number (often one or two) and refuse additional pets during the tenancy. The lease should clearly state the permitted number and any process for requesting additional pets.
Are there any Calgary bylaws that affect pet ownership in rentals?
Yes. Calgary's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw requires dog and cat licensing for all pets over 3 months of age, leash requirements in public areas except designated off-leash zones, and waste cleanup obligations. The bylaw applies to all pets in Calgary regardless of ownership or tenancy status. Tenants are responsible for compliance with the bylaw for their own pets. Calgary 311 enforces violations independently of any landlord-tenant relationship.
How do I evict a tenant whose pet is causing damage or disturbances?
Document the specific issues (damage with photographs and contractor quotes; disturbances with dated written warnings, neighbour statements, and noise records). Serve a 14-day notice for substantial breach under section 30 of the RTA citing the specific lease clause violated. If the breach is not cured, file at RTDRS for a termination order following the standard process.
Bottom Line
Pet policy is one of the few areas of Calgary tenancy where landlords have full discretion under the RTA. The financial structures that work in 2026 are a non-refundable pet fee plus monthly pet rent layered on top of the standard one-month security deposit, with breed and size restrictions aligned to insurance coverage and condo bylaws. Pet-friendly units lease faster and command modest premiums in the current softer Calgary market. The legal pitfalls are charging deposits that exceed the section 44 cap, refusing service animals, or authorizing pets that violate condo bylaws. UrbanLease structures pet policy for owner-clients to capture the leasing-speed advantage of pet-friendly listings without exceeding the section 44 cap or running afoul of condo bylaws.