Animals in Residential Districts

Animals mean livestock, chickens (or other poultry) or bees.

Livestock includes cows, horses, mules, llamas, alpacas, goats, sheep or others.

Chickens (or other poultry) includes chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, or others.

Bees and bee keeping includes the keeping of bees for the production of honey.

Please note: The Alberta Bee Act and its Regulation regulate beekeepers in Alberta. Beekeepers in Alberta must register (for free) with the province every year.

This survey DOES NOT apply to domestic pets such as dogs or cats or others that are typically kept indoors.

A residential district refers to an area zoned for residential purposes, where the primary land use is residential housing. Residential communities in Lacombe County include hamlets, residential lakeshore subdivisions, or country residential subdivisions.

These residential communities include:

• Hamlets: There are hamlet residential properties in the communities of Mirror, Tees, Haynes, Joffre, Rosedale Valley, Morningside, and Hespero
• Central corridor area communities:
  • Blackstone Estates
  • Burbank / Burbank Heights
  • Deer Ridge Estates
  • Greystone Ranch
  • Lacombe Lake Estates
  • Milton Subdivision
• Sylvan Lake area communities:
  • Blissful Beach
  • Eagle’s Quay
  • Kuusamo Krest
  • Palm Bay
  • Silver Springs
  • The Slopes
  • The Shores
  • Westside Country Estates
  • Pelican Bay (formerly Yuill subdivision)
• Gull Lake area communities:
  • Birch Bay / Birch Meadows
  • Brewer’s Beach
  • Brighton Beach
  • Brownlow’s Landing
  • Ebeling
  • Lakeview Estates
  • McLaurin Beach
  • New Saratoga
  • Silver Beach
  • Wilson’s Beach
  • Wilson’s Beach Estates

This survey does NOT apply to the agricultural district, commercial districts, industrial districts or recreation districts (does not apply to Recreational Vehicle Resort ‘R-RVR’ District communities, like Sandy Point RV Resort or Degraff’s RV Resort).

Conducting community consultation enables Lacombe County to gather valuable insights from the community, which can ultimately lead to the development of more effective and responsive policies regarding animals in residential districts.

Lacombe County is conducting this community consultation for several specific reasons:

1. Establish Community Standards: By understanding the community’s expectations and values, the County can ensure that its regulations align with the community’s vision and promote harmonious living environments.
2. Conflict Resolution: There are known existing conflicts or concerns related to animals in residential areas. By conducting this community consultation, the County aims to identify areas of contention and explore potential solutions that accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of residents.
3. Compliance and Enforcement: Clear and well-informed regulations are essential for effective public education and awareness. By gauging opinions on what types of animals should be allowed or prohibited, as well as appropriate lot sizes and animal densities, the County can tailor its regulations to be more practical and enforceable.

What is the consultation process?

What are the current regulations?

COUNTRY RESIDENTIAL 'R-CR' DISTRICT

• livestock or fowl: not more than a total of two (2) horses, cattle, pigs, donkeys, mules, sheep, goats or exotic animals or alternatively, a total of twelve fowl or rabbits may be kept on a lot of 3 acres or larger
• 'bee keeping' is a discretionary use

COUNTRY RESIDENTIAL ESTATE 'R-CRE' DISTRICT

• no livestock
• no fowl
• 'bee keeping' is a discretionary use

ALL OTHER RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS (INC. HAMLETS)

• no livestock
• no fowl
• no beekeeping