How many dogs or cats you can keep in Coldstream
How many dogs or cats can I keep in Coldstream?
Short answer
In Coldstream, you can keep no more than 3 dogs per owner on a lot. The RDNO Dog Control Bylaw sets that limit. We found no limit on cats. Backyard hens have their own limits in the District's Zoning Bylaw.
Key facts
| Dogs allowed | No more than 3 dogs per owner on a lot within a municipal boundary, so on any lot in Coldstream.RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), s. 6; Dog Licensing, Regional District of North Okanagan, Dog Licensing Information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo Owner shall have more than three (3) Dogs on: a. a lot within a municipal boundary; or, Maximum of three dogs allowed per single-family dwelling. |
|---|---|
| Cats allowed | None set. No bylaw that was found limits the number of cats in Coldstream. |
| Other animal limits | Backyard hens: up to 4 on urban lots (R1, R2 zones); up to 6 on rural residential lots (R3, R4 zones, as hobby farm). No roosters in R1 and R2. See the backyard chickens answer for coop rules.District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, s. 501.6(10), 502.6(8); District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, s. 503.6(9), 504.6(7) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingUrban Agriculture is restricted to the keeping of up to 4 hens, and: not more than 4 hens; and up to 6 hens; |
| Exceptions | The 3-dog limit excludes registered guide dogs living with the person they assist, owners in the Guide Dog in Training Program, and RCMP dogs. Puppies under 3 months old are not "Dogs" under the bylaw. The Zoning Bylaw allows a dog kennel on a parcel of 2 ha or more.RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), s. 7; District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, s. 401.6(21) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingany Dog registered as a Guide Animal and which resides with the person for whom the any Owner registered in the Guide Dog in Training Program; or any Dog used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. “Dog” means an animal of the canine species over the age of three (3) months; A Dog kennel is permitted on a parcel with a minimum lot area of 2 ha or greater. |
| Fine | Municipal ticket $100; or bylaw notice $100 ($80 if paid early). Nuisance dogs and repeat offences are charged double.RDNO Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 2908, Schedule E (Bylaw 2908); RDNO Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2909, Appendix 4 (Bylaw 2909) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingMore than (3) Dogs 6 $100.00 More than (3) Dogs 6 $100.00 $80.00 Yes |
| Bylaw | Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (dogs); District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (hens, kennels).RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), s. 1; District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw shall be cited as “Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021” Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 |
How it works
The RDNO Dog Control Bylaw 2881 allows no more than 3 dogs per owner on a lot within a municipal boundary, so on any lot in Coldstream. The RDNO enforces it.
No bylaw we found limits the number of cats. The RDNO's dog bylaw covers dogs only, and no District cat bylaw is listed.
Steps
- Count the dogs you keep on your lot. The limit is 3 per owner.
- Licence each dog with the RDNO (see the dog licence answer).
- If you want more dogs, or are unsure how the limit applies to a kennel, ask RDNO Dog Control at 250-541-3647.
Good to know
- The 3-dog limit excludes registered guide dogs living with the person they assist, owners in the Guide Dog in Training Program, and RCMP dogs.
- Puppies under 3 months old are not "dogs" under the bylaw.
- The District's Zoning Bylaw 1838 allows a dog kennel on a parcel of 2 ha or more. The bylaws do not say whether a licensed kennel is exempt from the 3-dog limit.
- Backyard hens: up to 4 on urban lots (R1, R2 zones) and up to 6 on rural residential lots (R3, R4 zones). No roosters in R1 and R2. See the backyard chickens answer.
- Going over the dog limit can bring a municipal ticket of $100, or a bylaw notice of $100 ($80 if paid early).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Vernon · Lumby · Lake Country · Spallumcheen · Armstrong · Enderby
Sources
- RDNO Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Dog Licensing, Regional District of North Okanagan (read 2026-11-06)
- District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (read 2026-11-06)
- RDNO Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 2908 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- RDNO Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2909 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.