How many dogs or cats you can keep in Central Saanich
How many dogs or cats can I keep in Central Saanich?
Short answer
In Central Saanich, you can keep no more than four dogs over four months old on a parcel, and no more than four cats over four months old unless the parcel is larger than two hectares. Keeping a kennel is not allowed.
Key facts
| Dogs allowed | No more than four dogs over four months old on any parcel of land in the District. Keeping a kennel (more than four dogs) is not allowed on any premises.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026), ss. 3.1, 3.5, definition of Kennel · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall keep more than four dogs over the age of four months on any parcel of land shall cause, suffer or permit such premises to be used as or for a kennel |
|---|---|
| Cats allowed | No more than four cats over four months old on a parcel, unless the parcel is larger than two hectares.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026), s. 6.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmore than four cats over the age of four months on any parcel of land in the Municipality unless the area of the parcel exceeds two hectares |
| Other animal limits | Chickens and ducks combined: 8 on lots under 1,858 m²; 10 on lots over 1,858 m² and under 4,047 m²; 12 on lots of 4,047 m² or more. Pigeons: 50 maximum outside Agriculture Zones. No wild animals.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026), ss. 9.3, 11.1, 8.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmore than 8 chickens or ducks on a parcel of land less than 1858 square metres no person shall keep more than 50 pigeons No person shall keep or harbour any wild animal on any parcel more than 10 chickens or ducks on a parcel of land greater than 1858 square metres |
| Exceptions | No limit on chickens or ducks where agriculture is a permitted use of the parcel. The cat limit does not apply to parcels over two hectares. The pigeon limit does not apply in Agriculture Zones. The bylaw states no exception to the four-dog limit.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026), ss. 9.4, 6.6, 11.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthere is no limit to the maximum number of unless the area of the parcel exceeds two hectares other than on land in an Agriculture Zone |
| Fine | Not confirmed for the current bylaw. The 2020 municipal ticket schedule (naming Animal Control Bylaw No. 2054) lists keeping more than four dogs (s. 3.1) and too many chickens (s. 9.3) at $100 each. Bylaw Notice amounts under No. 2242 could not be read.Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2057, 2020, with schedules, Appendix 13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingKeep more than four dogs 3.1 $100.00 Keep too many chickens 9.3 $100.00 CENTRAT SAANICH ANIMAL CONTROT BYTAW NO. 2054, 2O2O |
| Bylaw | Central Saanich Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026), s. 14.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCentral Saanich Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 |
How it works
The Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097 limits how many animals you can keep on a parcel of land in the District.
- Dogs: no more than four dogs over four months old. Keeping a kennel (more than four dogs) is not allowed on any premises. The bylaw states no exception.
- Cats: no more than four cats over four months old, unless the parcel is larger than two hectares.
- Chickens and ducks: see the backyard chickens answer.
- Pigeons: 50 at most outside Agriculture Zones.
- Wild animals: not allowed.
Steps
- Count the dogs and cats over four months old on your parcel.
- If you are over a limit, find new homes before a complaint is made. Enforcement is complaint-driven.
- Licence every dog (see the dog licence answer).
Good to know
- The pigeon limit does not apply in Agriculture Zones.
- The 2020 municipal ticket schedule lists keeping more than four dogs at $100, but it names an earlier bylaw. Confirm the current amount with the District.
- Questions: Bylaw Enforcement, 250-544-4237.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sidney · North Saanich · Highlands · Saanich · View Royal · Esquimalt
Sources
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 2097, 2021 (consolidated June 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2057, 2020, with schedules (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Enforcement, District of Central Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.