---
title: How many dogs or cats you can keep in Chetwynd
question: "How many dogs or cats can I keep?"
place: Chetwynd, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/chetwynd
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Chetwynd
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/how-many-pets/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/how-many-pets.json"
---

# How many dogs or cats you can keep in Chetwynd

**Question:** How many dogs or cats can I keep?

**Short answer:** In Chetwynd, you may keep no more than 3 dogs over 12 weeks old on a property. Cats and dogs together may not exceed 6 animals over 12 weeks old, and no more than 3 of them may be dogs.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Chetwynd, https://www.gochetwynd.com)  
**Cost:** Kennel licence $125. No fee is stated for keeping pets within the limits.  
**How long:** Not applicable.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Control, 250-401-4119
- In person: District of Chetwynd Municipal Office, 5400 Hospital Road, Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Dogs allowed:** No more than 3 dogs over 12 weeks old on any real property, including a premises with a suite, boarder or tenant.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, s. 8.1](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "not more than three" … "(3) dogs over the age of twelve (12) weeks"
  - Source: [Animal Control, FAQ](https://www.gochetwynd.com/municipal-office/departments/protective-services/animal-control/)
  - Official wording: "A maximum of 3 dogs per household is in place"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Cats allowed:** No separate cat limit is stated. Cats and dogs together may not exceed 6 over 12 weeks old (of which no more than 3 may be dogs).
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, s. 8.1](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "more than a combined total of six (6) cats and dogs together over the age of twelve (12) weeks"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Other animal limits:** Hens: up to 5 per property. Beehives: 2 on a parcel under 929 m², 4 on a parcel over 929 m² and under 1,394 m², 6 on a parcel over 1,394 m².
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, s. 9.2(b), 10.2(a)](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "keep no more than five (5) Hens on any parcel of land despite the number of" … "two (2) beehives on any parcel of land under 929 square meters" … "four (4) beehives on any parcel of land over 929 square meters" … "six (6) beehives on any parcel of land over 1,394 square meters"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Exceptions:** The 6-animal and 3-dog limits do not apply to a licensed kennel, veterinarian or animal shelter. A kennel needs a kennel permit and a $125 kennel licence.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, s. 8.2, 12.1; Schedule A](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Section 8.1 does not apply to a licensed kennel, veterinarian, or animal shelter." … "obtain a kennel permit" … "Kennel License $125.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket under Animal Responsibility Bylaw Schedule B: $75 for a 1st offence, $150 for a 2nd, and $75 more for each further offence within 12 months by the same owner.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, Schedule B, s. 1](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1st offence $75.00" … "$150.00" … "3rd and subsequent offences will be subject to increases in the amount of $75.00 for each offence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023, s. 1](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158](<https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf>) allows no more than 3 dogs over 12 weeks old on any real property, including a premises with a suite, boarder or tenant. No separate cat limit is stated. Cats and dogs together may not exceed 6 animals over 12 weeks old, of which no more than 3 may be dogs. Animals under 12 weeks are not counted.

## Good to know

- The limits do not apply to a licensed kennel, veterinarian or animal shelter. A kennel needs a kennel permit and a $125 kennel licence.
- Hens and bees have their own limits: up to 5 hens per property, and 2, 4 or 6 beehives depending on parcel size. See the backyard chickens answer.
- Going over the limit can bring a municipal ticket: $75 for a first offence, $150 for a second, and $75 more for each further offence within 12 months.
- The District's Animal Control page says it does not handle cat issues, but the bylaw counts cats in the combined limit. Confirm with Bylaw Enforcement at 250-401-4119.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023 (PDF)](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Chetwynd dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/dog-licence.md)
- [Chetwynd dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Chetwynd backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/backyard-chickens.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/how-many-pets.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/how-many-pets.md)
- [Fort St. John](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/how-many-pets.md)
- [Dawson Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/how-many-pets.md)
- [Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/how-many-pets.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/how-many-pets.md)
- [Prince George](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/how-many-pets.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Control, District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/municipal-office/departments/protective-services/animal-control/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 1158, 2023 (PDF), District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/BL1158-Animal-Responsibility-Bylaw-1158-2023.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Chetwynd. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/how-many-pets/_