Calgary is one of the fastest-growing and most modern cities in Canada — but like any city with a long history, it has its fair share of unusual, outdated, and downright funny laws.
Some of these laws are still technically valid, others have been modified, and some simply became legendary urban myths. Either way — they make great entertainment.
Here are the strangest laws in Calgary and Alberta that will surprise newcomers and long-time residents alike.
1. It’s Illegal to Paint a Wooden Ladder (Calgary Municipal Code)
Yes — this one is real.
Under old Calgary bylaws, painting a wooden ladder is prohibited, because fresh paint can hide cracks, making the ladder unsafe.
👉 Technically still on the books, though rarely enforced.
👉 Home improvement stores will not warn you — but the bylaw exists.
2. You Can Be Fined for Carrying a “Potentially Dangerous Pet” in Public (Calgary Animal Bylaw)
This includes:
- snakes
- spiders
- ferrets
- lizards over a certain size
- exotic birds
If your unusual pet “causes fear or disturbance in public,” you can legally be fined.
So yes… taking a pet tarantula to Starbucks is a bad idea.
3. Only Licensed Haulers Can Transport Dead Animals (City Bylaw)
If you hit a deer or find a dead animal — do NOT put it in your car.
Transporting a dead animal without a license is illegal, even if your intentions are good.
The city provides pickup services — and yes, they’re busy after Stampede.
4. Don’t Attach Anything to a Streetlight — Even a Lost Cat Poster
It is illegal in Calgary to attach posters, signs, bike locks, or decorations to:
- streetlights
- traffic lights
- public utility poles
Penalty: up to $500.
Want to hang a “Lost Cat” sign?
Technically… you should buy a bulletin board.
5. You Can Be Fined for Watering Your Lawn at the Wrong Time
During summer restrictions, watering is only allowed:
✔ specific days
✔ specific hours
Breaking this rule can bring a $400+ fine.
Your lawn could cost more than your rent.
6. It’s Illegal to Sell (or Even Advertise) a Fake Lottery Ticket
Even as a joke, prank, or “gift.”
ALBERTA LAW: selling anything that resembles a lottery ticket but isn’t real is prohibited.
So no — you can’t give someone a “fake $1M scratch ticket” as a birthday prank.
7. No Swearing in a Public Park (Peace Officer Enforcement)
Believe it or not, officers can issue warnings or fines for:
- loud profanity
- aggressive shouting
- disturbing the peace
Is it enforced? Almost never.
Does the law exist? Yes.
So keep your Stampede frustration PG-13.
8. Taxi Drivers Must Wear Shoes (Taxi Bylaw)
This one is legendary.
By law, taxi drivers:
- must wear shoes
- must wear socks
- must maintain “good personal hygiene”
No barefoot Uber imitation allowed.
9. You Cannot Own More Than 6 Dogs in One Home (Calgary Bylaw 23M2006)
Technically defined as:
- 6 dogs
- 6 cats
- and no more than 3 “special pets”
So yes, your dream of being a “Calgary Husky Lady” has legal limits.
10. Driving a Horse Drunk Is Illegal — Yes, That Includes Stampede
Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act applies to:
✔ cars
✔ bicycles
✔ e-scooters
✔ AND horses
If you’re riding a horse while intoxicated, you can legally be charged.
Stampede cowboys: take notes.
📌 Bonus: Weird Laws That Used to Exist in Alberta
Not Calgary-specific, but too good to skip:
- In the 1800s, it was illegal to drag a dead horse down 8th Avenue.
- It was illegal to remove bandages in public.
- Boys couldn’t whistle in public after 11 p.m.
Thankfully, times have changed.
🧭 Conclusion
Calgary may be modern, but many unusual laws remain — some for safety, others simply because nobody bothered to remove them. While most aren’t enforced today, newcomers and residents love discovering these quirky rules.
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