You love animals — and maybe your next pet isn’t just a dog or a cat. But if you’re shopping for a condo or already own one in Ottawa, there’s a catch: your condo board might have the power to say “no” to your exotic pet.

Before you bring home a bearded dragon, snake, parrot, or other non-traditional companion, it’s worth understanding how condo law, city bylaws, and your building’s rules work together — and what you can (and can’t) do about them.

This article breaks down:

How pet and exotic-animal rules actually work in Ottawa condos
Why condo boards treat exotic pets differently from cats or dogs
What the City of Ottawa says about ownership limits and restrictions
What to do if your board bans your pet
Tips, examples, and a checklist for buyers

By the end, you’ll know whether that gecko can come home with you — and what to look for before you buy.

1. The Layers of Rules That Govern Pets in Condos

Condo pet rules aren’t simple. They’re shaped by multiple levels of authority, from city bylaws to provincial laws to your condo corporation’s own documents.

At the top are municipal bylaws — in Ottawa, that’s the Animal Care and Control By-law No. 2003-77. It limits the number of cats and dogs per residence (a maximum of five total, with up to three dogs) and governs how other animals — including exotics — can be kept. Even if your condo allows a particular species, you could still be breaking city rules if that animal is restricted or prohibited within Ottawa.

Next come provincial protections. The Ontario Human Rights Code, for example, can override a “no pets” policy if an animal is considered a service or support animal for a disability. However, that protection rarely applies to exotic pets.

Then there’s your condominium declaration, which is the building’s master legal document. If the declaration explicitly bans pets or certain species, that rule is almost impossible to change without a vote of the ownership group.

Below that are the bylaws — more flexible but still enforceable — and finally the rules and regulations, which cover day-to-day matters like leash requirements, noise restrictions, or whether reptiles and amphibians are allowed.

The key takeaway: even if a building markets itself as “pet-friendly,” exotic animals can still be restricted at any of these levels. You’ll need to check every layer before assuming your pet is permitted.

2. Why Exotic Pets Are Treated Differently

It’s one thing to own a dog or cat — quite another to own a snake, parrot, or tarantula. Condo boards tend to regulate exotic pets more tightly for a few reasons:

Liability and insurance concerns: Exotic animals may pose higher perceived risks. Some insurers raise premiums or exclude coverage for buildings that permit them.
Noise, odour, and humidity: Reptiles and birds may require special habitats that alter temperature or humidity levels. Noise and smells can also affect neighbouring units.
Fear and perception: Boards often face pressure from residents who feel unsafe or uncomfortable around certain animals.
Enforcement difficulty: Unlike dogs, exotic pets aren’t usually seen in common areas, so boards may ban them entirely to avoid enforcement issues.

In short, exotic pets often fall into a “grey zone” — not fully banned by law, but easily restricted by condo corporations trying to minimize complaints or risk.

3. What the City of Ottawa Says

Locally, the Animal Care and Control By-law No. 2003-77 applies to every residence in Ottawa, including condos. It limits how many animals can be kept in one dwelling — no more than five cats and dogs combined, and no more than three dogs total.

It also gives the city authority over “other animals,” meaning exotic species are regulated under its umbrella. You can find the full text of the bylaw on ottawa.ca.

Even if your condo board doesn’t restrict exotics, the city might. That means you could be in compliance with your condo but still in violation of municipal rules — something that can lead to fines or the forced removal of an animal.

4. Common Clauses That Restrict Exotic Pets

When reviewing a condo’s status certificate, declaration, or rules, watch for phrases like:

“No animals other than domestic pets are allowed.”
“Reptiles, amphibians, rodents, or exotic species are prohibited.”
“Maximum of two pets per unit.”
“Any pet deemed a nuisance or health hazard must be removed.”
“Pets must be registered with the board.”

Any clause mentioning “domestic pets only” usually excludes reptiles, birds, or other non-traditional animals — even if it doesn’t say so outright.

5. What to Do If Your Board Says “No”

If you already own an exotic pet or want to bring one into your condo, here’s how to approach it strategically:

Read all governing documents. Confirm where the ban exists — in the declaration, bylaws, or rules. Declarations are hardest to change; rules are easiest.
Check city bylaws. Ensure your species is legal to keep in Ottawa.
Prepare a containment and safety plan. Provide your board with documentation showing how the pet will be safely housed and managed (for example, a locked terrarium and proof of non-venomous species).
Offer extra insurance. Liability coverage can ease concerns about potential risks.
Gather expert support. Letters from veterinarians or specialists can help establish that your animal poses minimal risk.
Request an exception or amendment. If the rule is only at the “rules and regulations” level, you may be able to propose a change by vote.
Ask for grandfathering. If you owned the pet before a new rule was introduced, the board may allow you to keep it.
Seek dispute resolution only as a last resort. Legal challenges are possible if a rule is unreasonable or discriminatory, but they can be costly and uncertain.

Remember: if the restriction is embedded in the declaration, it’s extremely difficult to overturn. It’s often better to confirm the rules before buying than to fight them after the fact.

6. Scenarios Ottawa Buyers Should Know

Scenario 1: You move into a “pet-friendly” building and later learn the rules were updated to ban reptiles. If the rule changed after you purchased, your current pet might be grandfathered — but you’ll need written confirmation from the board.

Scenario 2: A condo advertises itself as “no pets,” yet you see dogs in the lobby. This can happen when declarations say “no pets,” but boards later pass rules allowing certain species. Exotic animals, however, rarely benefit from such exceptions.

Scenario 3: You buy a downtown condo, unaware that the building prohibits any animal not considered “domestic.” When you apply for approval of your parrot, the board denies it due to noise complaints in the past — and they have every right to.

Each of these examples shows why reading the fine print matters. Pet restrictions aren’t always obvious until you’re already living there.

7. The Exotic Pet Buyer’s Checklist

Before buying a condo or adopting an unconventional pet, go through this list:

Is the species legal in Ottawa and Ontario?
Does the condo declaration ban animals or exotics?
Do the bylaws or rules include restrictions by species or number?
Is there a process for requesting an exception?
Could the board require insurance or safety documentation?
Are there previous disputes about pets in the building?
Will having this pet affect resale value later?

A little due diligence now can save you from a serious headache later — or worse, being told you have to remove a beloved pet.

8. The Bottom Line

Owning an exotic animal in an Ottawa condo isn’t impossible, but it’s tricky. Between city bylaws, provincial protections, and condo-specific rules, you’ll need to navigate multiple layers of red tape to ensure your pet is permitted.

The safest approach? Check every document, ask questions before you buy, and if in doubt, get professional advice. It’s always easier to find a condo that fits your lifestyle — and your pets — than to fight a losing battle with your board later.