How many dogs or cats you can keep in Clearwater
How many dogs or cats can I keep?
Clearwater's Animal Control Bylaw sets no limit on the number of dogs or cats. It does limit poultry and rabbits combined, from 4 head on a lot under 1,012 m² to 50 head on a lot over 2 ha, and requires a lot of at least 4,000 m² for horses and farm animals.
Key facts
| Dogs allowed | None set. Clearwater's Animal Control Bylaw sets no limit on the number of dogs. |
|---|---|
| Cats allowed | None set. Clearwater's Animal Control Bylaw sets no limit on the number of cats. |
| Other animal limits | Poultry and rabbits combined, only where animals are explicitly permitted as accessory to residential use: under 1,012 m² 4 head; 1,012 m² to 4,047 m² 10 head; 4,047 m² to 2 ha 20 head; over 2 ha 50 head. Horses and farm animals need a lot of at least 4,000 m².Animal Control Bylaw No. 148, 2016, s. 7.1 and s. 8.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmaximum number of poultry or rabbits, or combination thereof, that may be kept on a lot Less than 1,012 m2 (1/4 acre) 4 head unless said lot is at least 4000 m2 (1 acre) in area |
| Exceptions | The limits do not apply to normal farm practices in the Agricultural Land Reserve or agriculture use permitted as a principal use under the Zoning Bylaw.Animal Control Bylaw No. 148, 2016, s. 3.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe limits imposed in this Bylaw do not apply to normal farm practices as permitted activities |
| Fine | Municipal ticket: poultry or rabbits over the maximum number $100 ($75 if paid within 30 days).Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019, Schedule 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingPoultry or rabbits – exceeding maximum number |
| Bylaw | District of Clearwater Animal Control Bylaw No. 148, 2016Animal Control Bylaw No. 148, 2016, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “District of Clearwater Animal Control Bylaw No. 148, 2016”. |
How it works
The District's Animal Control Bylaw No. 148 sets no limit on how many dogs you may keep and does not mention cats. The Zoning Bylaw No. 133 refers only to "a limited number of animals as set out in the Animal Control Bylaw".
Other animals
Poultry and rabbits combined, where animals are explicitly permitted as an accessory use to a home:
- Lot under 1,012 m² (1/4 acre): 4 head
- 1,012 m² to 4,047 m²: 10 head
- 4,047 m² to 2 ha: 20 head
- Over 2 ha: 50 head
Horses and farm animals need a lot of at least 4,000 m² (1 acre).
Good to know
- The limits do not apply to normal farm practices in the Agricultural Land Reserve, or to agriculture permitted as a principal use under the Zoning Bylaw.
- A municipal ticket for too many poultry or rabbits is $100 ($75 if paid within 30 days).
- See the chickens answer for coops and other livestock rules.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Barriere · Sun Peaks · Chase · 100 Mile House · Kamloops · Sicamous
Sources
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 148, 2016 (PDF), District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF), District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF), District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 2 are recorded as not set. How answers are checked.