Sylvan Lake, Alberta Canada

Renting in Sylvan Lake in 2026

Central Alberta rental context, honest local employer breakdown, and Alberta tenancy rules that apply.

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Population (2021)

15,995

Statistics Canada

Nearest major city

Red Deer

25 min west on Highway 11 or 11A

Region

Central Alberta

resort community

Local boards

2 schools

public + Catholic

FFrancis, SQRFT TeamCanadian Rental Market Analyst Updated July 4, 2026 4 min read

Section 1

Sylvan Lake at a glance

Sylvan Lake is a town of 15,995 residents as of the 2021 Census, sitting on the shore of its namesake lake 25 kilometres west of Red Deer. It is one of the larger small-town Alberta communities and one of the most-visited resort destinations in central Alberta, with roughly one million tourists per year.

The economy runs on tourism, professional services, manufacturing, senior support services, and Red Deer commuting. Rentals split into two distinct segments: long-term rentals for local workforce and Red Deer commuters (single-family homes and townhouses), and short-term rentals along the lakefront for the busy summer tourism season. The permanent-versus-seasonal-population dynamic shapes almost every housing decision here.

Section 2

Who works in Sylvan Lake

The local economy runs on the following:

•
Tourism (approximately 1 million visitors per year)
•
Professional services
•
Manufacturing
•
Senior support services
•
Value-added agriculture (regional support)
•
Red Deer commuters

Section 3

Sylvan Lake schools

Chinook's Edge School Division

Public board

CESD

Serves elementary through senior high in Sylvan Lake and area.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

Catholic board

RDCRS

Serves elementary through senior high in Sylvan Lake and area.

Section 4

Sylvan Lake landmarks and lifestyle

•
Sylvan Lake (the actual lake and beach)
•
Camp Woods (historic downtown lakefront)
•
NexSource Centre recreation complex
•
Provincial Park boat launch and marina

Section 5

Nearby communities

Red Deer

on Highway 11 or 11A

25 min E

Central Alberta's largest city and full-service employment base.

Blackfalds

on Highway 11 then 2A

35 min E

Fast-growing Red Deer commuter town.

Section 6

Alberta tenancy rules that apply in Sylvan Lake

Every rental in Sylvan Lake is governed by the Alberta Residential Tenancies Act. Key rules that apply regardless of town size:

•
No provincial rent control.Landlords can raise rent at renewal with three months' written notice and a 12-month gap.
•
Security deposits capped at one month's rent.Held in an interest-bearing trust account under section 45.
•
Landlord entry requires 24 hours' written notice.For repairs, showings, or inspections.
•
Disputes go to RTDRS.Alberta's fast-track alternative to court. $75 filing fee.
•
Written move-in inspection is legally required.Without one, a landlord cannot lawfully deduct for damage.

Deep guides for each of these topics are in the SQRFT guide library.

Section 7

Live Sylvan Lake rentals on SQRFT

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Sources