Pet rules and policy for your Ontario property: What to know

What are pet rules and pet policies?

Pet rules set expectations for animals in a rental property or condominium community. A pet policy may address things like the number or type of pets allowed, where animals can go, leash requirements, noise, cleanup, damage, and other day-to-day concerns.
 

Examples of pet policies

Common pet rules may address:

• Number of pets: Setting a limit on how many animals may be kept in a unit.
   
• Size or weight: Limiting animals above a certain size or weight where permitted.
   
• Type of animal: Restricting certain species or types of animals.
   
• Leashes and carriers: Requiring pets to be leashed, carried, or otherwise controlled in common areas.
   
• Common areas: Identifying where pets can and cannot go, such as amenity spaces or certain landscaped areas.
   
• Waste cleanup: Requiring residents to clean up after their animals.
   
• Noise: Addressing ongoing barking or other disturbances.
   
• Damage: Making owners responsible for damage caused by their animals where permitted by law.
   
• Safety: Addressing aggressive or dangerous behaviour.

Can Ontario condos ban or restrict pets?

Condo corporations can ban pets or set pet rules through their governing documents. Restrictions may cover the number, size, weight, breed, or type of animal, as well as where pets are allowed on the property. These restrictions must comply with the Condominium Act of Ontario and the corporation’s declaration, bylaws, and rules.
 

Can landlords ban or restrict pets in Ontario rentals?

Generally, landlords cannot ban pets through a residential tenancy agreement. A provision that prohibits animals in or around the property is void under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (s. 14).

Landlords can still have pet rules that address issues such as noise, damage, cleanliness, safety, and interference with other residents, as long as those rules comply with Ontario tenancy law. A rental pet policy should focus on how the animal is kept and any problems it causes, rather than simply banning pets.
 

Do condo pet rules apply to tenants?

Yes. Renting a condo does not exempt a tenant from the condominium corporation’s pet rules. Owners, tenants, residents, and guests must follow the corporation’s governing documents.
 

Can Ontario landlords charge a pet deposit?

No. Ontario landlords generally cannot require a pet deposit, damage deposit, or separate pet fee. The standard lease guide states that landlords may collect a last month’s rent deposit and a refundable key deposit, but not a pet or damage deposit.
 

Service animals and emotional support animals

In Ontario, service animals and disability-related support animals may be protected under the Human Rights Code. Landlords and condo corporations may need to accommodate an animal when it is connected to a disability-related need, even if pet rules would otherwise restrict or prohibit it (Human Rights Code, ss. 2, 17).
 

Pet rule enforcement tips for board members and owners

1. Know the law

   Throughout Ontario, some municipalities have bylaws related to pets and animals, so it’s important that the rules you set for your condo align with those bylaws. When creating or revising your community’s pet policies, work with your condo corporation’s legal counsel.
   
   This will help support compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including those related to service animals, emotional support animals, and municipal bylaws. Your legal counsel will also be a big help in creating reasonable pet policies because they will be able to tell you what you can easily enforce and what you can’t.
    

2. Focus on rules you can actually enforce

   It’s important to consider rules that serve an easy-to-define purpose and can be fairly enforced. For example, many condos want to put weight limits on animals to keep larger animals out of the community.
   
   However, rules specific to an animal’s weight can be hard to enforce. Who will weigh all the pets in the community? What happens when a dog gains a few pounds from too many treats and ends up over the weight limit?
    

3. Communicate rules effectively

   It’s important to communicate the rules to all residents, either to bring them up to speed or as reinforcement, so that all community members are compliant with the policies.
   
   The regulations should be communicated clearly and frequently to all residents, using as many communication channels as available, including email, newsletters, and flyers posted in the community.
    

4. Remind condo tenants that they need to follow community rules

   It's important to note that if your condo community has units that are rented out by the owner, they can have their own additional rules when it comes to pets. For that reason, within your communication, it’s important to point out for tenants that the rules set by their landlord may differ from those set by the board. And they are required to follow lawful landlord rules in addition to the community’s rules.
    

5. Enforce rules consistently

   Consistency and fairness in enforcing the rules will go a long way toward getting residents to comply with them. When it comes to how complaint procedures are handled, you should work with your corporation’s legal counsel and your local animal control officials to confirm that your process is on target.
    

6. Lean on your legal counsel and property management team

   Like with the creation of any rules for your building or community, there is a lot to consider when it comes to condo pet policies. However, because this is about residents’ furry family members, it’s often more complex and can be a sensitive issue for community members. That’s why it’s so important to work closely with your legal counsel when drafting the rules.
   
   They will help you create sensible rules that can be enforced, setting your community up for success.

And when it comes to communicating and enforcing the rules, it’s important you lean on the expertise of your property management team. They have the experience and tools to make communicating and enforcing the rules a breeze. Because reasonable pet policies can go a long way in keeping your human and four-legged residents happy.

To learn how FirstService Residential can support your community, contact a member of our team.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.