Abbotsford dog licences: fees and how to get one

How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?

Abbotsford, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Abbotsford, dog licences are issued by the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), not the City. Every dog four months or older needs one each year. The FVRD fee is $33 for a spayed or neutered dog and $83 for one that is not. You can also buy one at the Cashiers counter at City Hall.

Key facts

Licence required	Yes. Every dog four months or older kept in Abbotsford needs a valid FVRD licence for the current licence year, and the tag must be worn on the dog at all times. Not issued to anyone under 18. Exempt: dogs used by a government law enforcement agency.FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedule A per Bylaw 1854, 2026), Part E, s. 1, 4, 8, 14; Dog Licences, intro; Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District, intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A person must not keep or allow to be kept on any real property any dog unless a valid dog licence for the current licence year has first been obtained for that dog from the Regional District. Every dog owner must ensure that a valid dog licence tag is displayed on the dog at all A dog licence must not be issued to, or in the name of, any person under the age of 18 Any owner of a dog used by a government law enforcement agency is exempt from All dogs in Abbotsford, 4 months or older, must be licensed. All dogs four months or older must have a current licence.
Issued by	The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), not the City of Abbotsford. City Hall cashiers also sell licences.Dog Licences, intro; Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District, intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) provides Animal Control services for the City of Abbotsford In person from the Cashiers counter of Abbotsford City Hall The FVRD manages dog licensing for Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Harrison Hot Springs, Kent, and Mission.
Fee, spayed or neutered	$33 a year. The owner must give a veterinarian's certificate at the time of application showing the dog is spayed or neutered.FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedule A per Bylaw 1854, 2026), Schedule A (Bylaw 1854, 2026); s. 11; Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District, Licence Fees table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Altered Dog (each) $33 The owner of a dog that is not an aggressive dog or a nuisance dog who provides a veterinarian Dog Licence - spayed or neutered $33
Fee, not spayed or neutered	$83 a year.FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedule A per Bylaw 1854, 2026), Schedule A (Bylaw 1854, 2026); Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District, Licence Fees table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Unaltered Dog (each) $83 Dog Licence - NOT spayed or neutered $83
Other fees and discounts	Late: 30% penalty if the fee is owed before January 1 and not paid by then. Dog acquired after July 1: fee cut by 50% (minimum $10), but not for aggressive or nuisance dogs. Licence transfer $5. Replacement tag $7. No seniors or early-payment discount is listed.FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedule A per Bylaw 1854, 2026), s. 10(a), 10(b); Schedule A; Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District, Renewals; Licence Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording shall, notwithstanding the provisions of pay a late penalty of an additional 30% reduced by 50% to a minimum of $10 Licence Transfer $5 Licence Tag Replacement $7 A 30% penalty fee will apply to payments received after December 31. Licence Transfer Licence Tag Replacement
Renewal	Every licence expires on December 31 and the fee must be paid each year. The tag is permanent and is not replaced each year.FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedule A per Bylaw 1854, 2026), s. 3; Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District, Renewals · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Every dog licence issued under this bylaw will expire on the 31st day of December in The licence fee must be paid annually. The dog tag is permanent and will not be replaced each year.
How to get one	New licence: apply online through the FVRD (MyFVRD), by mail to the FVRD at 1-45950 Cheam Avenue, Chilliwack, or in person at the Cashiers counter at Abbotsford City Hall, 32315 South Fraser Way. Renewals: online with a MyFVRD account, by mail, or in person.Dog Licences, intro; Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District, New and Renewal · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording New licences and renewals can be purchased online: By mail from the FVRD at 1-45950 Cheam Avenue, Chilliwack, BC V2P 1N6, or In person from the Cashiers counter of Abbotsford City Hall at 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC. Please consider creating a MyFVRD account to renew your licence online
Fine, unlicensed dog	$200 (bylaw notice; $190 if paid within 14 days, $210 if paid more than 28 days after receiving it).FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated), Schedule A-3, s. 1; FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated), s. 5.2, 5.3; Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District, intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Animal Control Bylaw 1 No Dog Licence $200 $190 $210 received by the Registry within 14 days of a person receiving or being presumed to have payment is received more than 28 days after a person received or is presumed to have The fine for owning an unlicensed dog is $200.
Bylaw	Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 (fees in Schedule A, as replaced by Bylaw 1854, 2026)FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedule A per Bylaw 1854, 2026), Part A and Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This bylaw may be cited as the Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT BYLAW NO. 1854, 2026

How it works

Under the FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, nobody in Abbotsford may keep a dog four months or older without a licence for the current licence year. The tag must be worn on the dog at all times. A licence cannot be issued to anyone under 18.

Steps

Choose how to apply. New licence: online through the FVRD (MyFVRD), by mail to the FVRD in Chilliwack, or in person at the Cashiers counter at City Hall. Renewal: online with a MyFVRD account, by mail, or in person.
Give a veterinarian's certificate showing your dog is spayed or neutered, to get the lower fee.
Pay the fee. A licence expires every December 31.
Put the tag on your dog.

Good to know

If you move within the service area, tell the FVRD within 30 days and pay the $5 transfer fee.
A dog acquired after July 1 pays half the fee (minimum $10). This does not apply to aggressive or nuisance dogs, and they do not get the spayed or neutered rate.
Fees are waived for certified guide animals and for dogs in the temporary care of a registered non-profit rescue society. Dogs used by a government law enforcement agency are exempt.
Refunds of the altered/unaltered difference, or part of the fee if the dog dies, may be requested within 4 months of the licence expiring.
An unlicensed dog can bring a $200 bylaw notice ($190 if paid within 14 days, $210 if paid more than 28 days after you receive it).
The tag is permanent; only the fee is paid each year. Check the FVRD page for this year's renewal dates.

What you'll need

Veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered, for the lower fee
Owner must be 18 or older

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Mission · Township of Langley · Chilliwack · Langley City · Maple Ridge · Pitt Meadows

Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Dog Licences, City of Abbotsford (read 2026-11-05)
Dog Licences, Fraser Valley Regional District (read 2026-11-05)
FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated, Schedule A per Bylaw 1854, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 1415, 2017, Schedule A-3 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

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