All dogs living in Strathcona County must have a valid licence. When you license your dog, you will get a tag for your dog’s collar or harness. If your dog is ever lost, this will help us return your pet to you.

Licensing details

Licences are valid for one year, from April 1 of the current year to March 31 of the next year. If you get a licence mid-year, it will expire at the end of the licence year.

A current licence lets us return your dog if it is lost. Your licence fee includes one free return each year, as long as there have been no complaints about the dog in the calendar year. The free return is at the discretion of the Peace Officer returning the dog. 

 Fine for not having a dog licence 

• Any dog — $250
• Dangerous dog — $500 

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New dogs

A new dog must be licensed within 30 days of getting it. The license is free for the first year. 

You must apply for the first licence in person at one of the licensing locations. You don’t need to bring your dog, but should bring the following information, if available:

• Spay or neuter details
• Microchip
• Obedience training certificate

Proof of spay or neuter, microchipping or obedience training will give you lower fees in following licence years. See all fees.

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Renewing a licence

We’ll mail you a renewal notice in late February or early March. You can renew in person, through your bank or by mail. Please make cheques payable to Strathcona County. 

In person 

Visit one of our licensing locations.

Through your bank 

You can pay at the bank in-person, or through online or telephone banking. 

When setting up online or telephone banking, select “Strathcona County Dog Licence” as the payee. Use your tag number for the account number. 

You must make a separate bank payment for each licence. When paying an over-limit fee, add the additional $70 to an existing dog tag number. 

By mail 

Send your payment to: 

Strathcona County RCMP and Enforcement Services 
911 Bison Way 
Sherwood Park, AB  T8H 1S9 

No longer have your dog? 

If you no longer have your licensed dog, you need to let us know. Email dogrenewals@strathcona.ca

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Licensing locations

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Fees

We reward responsible dog owners. Licensing fees are reduced or waived for dogs who are spayed or neutered, microchipped or have completed obedience training.

What do these fees cover?

• return lost dogs by tracing their identification and contacting their owners
  • the first return each year is free for licensed owners
• provide care for lost dogs
• supporting the adoption of unclaimed dogs
• transport dogs whose owners cannot immediately be contacted to the Edmonton Humane Society

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Number of dogs allowed

The maximum number of dogs allowed per residence in Strathcona County is

• three dogs for residences of five acres or less
• five dogs for residences over five acres

If you want to have more dogs, you can apply for an over-limit permit. This permit costs $70 per year.  

Strathcona County considers the following information when reviewing over-limit applications:

• Your property is reasonably able to handle the higher number of dogs. 
• You have special skills or qualifications for handling a higher number of dogs. 
• You have not been convicted of, or are currently under investigation for, bylaw offences. 
• You are running a foster dog residence. 
• You have service dogs in training with puppies under six months of age. 
• You are moving from a location where the number of permitted dogs was higher. 

See the bylaw for full details: Bylaw 37-201 Responsible Dog Ownership (185.1 KB)

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Appealing a restriction

Appeals of dangerous dog declarations, over-limit permits and dog licence conditions/restrictions must follow the below process.

1. Send your written appeal to the ​Chief Commissioner at least one week after the date you received the decision.

2. The Commissioner will give the notice of appeal to the General Appeals and Review Committee, along with the records and information used to make the original decision.

3. The General Appeals and Review Committee will make a final decision on the appeal. 

Please contact Enforcement Services for complete details. 

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Resources

Information for dog owners

• Approved obedience trainers (107.8 KB)
• Chew on this: Working together to promote responsible dog ownership (2.4 MB)

Municipal bylaws

• Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw 37-2017 (185.1 KB)
• Bylaw 12-2019 Amendment to Bylaw 37-2017 (1.4 MB)
• Bylaw 42-2018 Amendment to 37-2017 (95.7 KB)

Provincial regulations

• Alberta Dangerous Dogs Act (PDF)

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Disclaimer

This webpage has been prepared for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Strathcona County assumes no responsibility for the use of the information on the website.

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More information