Show All Answers

1. What is an animal unit?

2. What types of livestock animals am I allowed on my property?

Depending on the size of your property and the land use district of your land, you can have the following types of livestock animals. 

• Cows (beef cows, dairy cows, etc.)  
• Horses  
• Sheep  
• Goats 
• Pigs  
• Poultry (chickens, ducks, etc.)  

3. How many livestock animals can I have on my property?

According to the Land Use Bylaw, the number of livestock you can have on your property depends on your property's size and land district.  

In what districts can I have livestock animals?

4. In what districts am I allowed to have animal livestock?

As per the Land Use Bylaw, the following districts are allowed to have a standardized number of animals on their parcel, considering factors such as parcel size and the Agricultural Operations Practice determined factor number (as defined in Appendix A). 

• Rural Residential
• Country Residential 
• Restricted Country Residential 
• Agriculture 

You can use the Animal Units Calculator for these districts to determine the number of animals allowed based on parcel size and animal type. 

Residents in the following districts must apply for a development permit to keep four small livestock, including but not limited to poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese) and meat rabbits, as outlined in the Land Use Bylaw. 

• Hamlets (Alder Flats, Buck Lake, Falun, Gwynne, Mulhurst Bay, Westerose, Winfield) 
• Lakeshore Residential 
• Lakeshore Mixed Use 
• Recreational Resort Holding 
• Mixed Recreational Resort 

***Disclaimer: Please note that the Animal Unit Calculator will automatically download when accessed via Google Chrome. If using Microsoft Edge, please initiate the download by clicking the blue download button at the top of the Excel page. Also, note that the Animal Unit Calculator may have limited compatibility on mobile devices.

5. I live in a multi-lot subdivision; how many animals can I have?

If your home is part of a piece of land that was initially a quarter section (160 acres) but has been divided into more than three lots for primarily residential use, as outlined in a specific plan, here's what the rules say: 

If your land falls under categories like Rural Residential, Country Residential, or Restricted Country Residential. 

You are allowed to have more than fifty (50) individual animals based on the Agricultural Operations Practice Act's (AOPA) requirement of an animal unit, calculated as Acre(s) x 0.44. 

However, when it comes to poultry units, you can only have a maximum of fifty (50) birds per animal unit/acre. On top of that, each acre gets an animal unit, which could be, for example, 2 goats or 1 horse. 

You may use the  Animal Units Calculator to determine how many animals are allowed on your property based on your parcel size and the type of animal.

***Disclaimer: Please note that the Animal Unit Calculator will automatically download when accessed via Google Chrome. If using Microsoft Edge, please initiate the download by clicking the blue download button at the top of the Excel page. Also, note that the Animal Unit Calculator may have limited compatibility on mobile devices.

6. How many dogs am I allowed on my property?

In the County, you can have up to four (4) dogs over six (6) months old on your property unless:  

• You have a valid Kennel Development Permit. 
• You have a valid Veterinary Clinic Development Permit. 
• You have a valid Dog Training or Animal Grooming Facility Development Permit. 
• The County has given temporary approval for a dog show. 

It's important to note that keeping or sheltering any dog not in compliance with the Dog Control Bylaw is considered a violation, and the person responsible is guilty of an offence. 

If you have questions about the Development Permit process, you may contact Planning and Development via email or 780-352-3321. You can also find the Development Permit Application here.