How many dogs or cats you can keep in Coquitlam
How many dogs or cats can I keep?
Short answer
In the City of Coquitlam, the Animal Care and Control Bylaw allows no more than three animals in total in any dwelling unit, with no separate limit for dogs or cats, unless the Zoning Bylaw or another enactment expressly allows more. Poultry and livestock may not be kept in a dwelling unit.
Key facts
| Dogs allowed | No separate dog limit. The bylaw allows no more than three animals in total (all kinds) in any dwelling unit, unless the Zoning Bylaw or another enactment expressly permits more.Sources differ: The Animal Care and Control Bylaw limits animals per dwelling unit, not per property; the Animal Care and Control web page says "3 pets per property including a combination of dogs and cats". The bylaw text is followed.Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022), s. 6.2; Animal Care and Control, Number of Pets Per Household · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingExcept where expressly permitted by the Zoning Bylaw or other enactment, a person must not keep more than three (3) animals in any dwelling unit within the City. Residents are limited to 3 pets per property including a combination of dogs and cats. |
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| Cats allowed | No separate cat limit. The bylaw allows no more than three animals in total (dogs, cats and other animals) in any dwelling unit, unless the Zoning Bylaw or another enactment expressly permits more.Sources differ: The Animal Care and Control Bylaw limits animals per dwelling unit, not per property; the Animal Care and Control web page says "3 pets per property including a combination of dogs and cats". The bylaw text is followed.Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022), s. 6.2; Animal Care and Control, Number of Pets Per Household · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingnot keep more than three (3) animals in any dwelling unit within the City. Residents are limited to 3 pets per property including a combination of dogs and cats. |
| Other animal limits | The limit of three covers all animals combined. Poultry and livestock may not be kept in a dwelling unit unless zoning expressly permits. Zoning treats the keeping of three or fewer household pets normally kept within a dwelling unit, not kept for financial gain, as part of a home's residential use.Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022), s. 6.1, 6.2; Zoning Bylaw 3000, Parts 1 and 2 (definitions), s. 201, ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga person must not keep any poultry or livestock, temporarily or permanently, in a dwelling unit. not keep more than three (3) animals in any dwelling unit within the City. the keeping of three or fewer animals as household pets that are normally kept within a dwelling unit and are not kept for financial gain |
| Exceptions | More than three animals are allowed only where the Zoning Bylaw or another enactment expressly permits it.Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022), s. 6.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingExcept where expressly permitted by the Zoning Bylaw or other enactment, a person must |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $150 ($100 if paid within 14 days). Municipal ticket: $1,000.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749, 2006 (consolidated July 2026), Schedule A, Animal Care and Control Bylaw; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320, 2012 (consolidated July 2026), Schedule B-1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingToo many animals 6.2 100 150 n/a Too many animals 6.2 1000 |
| Bylaw | Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAnimal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 |
How it works
Section 6.2 of the Animal Care and Control Bylaw 4240 says nobody may keep more than three animals in any dwelling unit in the City of Coquitlam, except where the Zoning Bylaw or another enactment expressly permits more. The three is a total for all animals combined, not three dogs plus three cats. The bylaw does not set a separate limit for dogs or for cats.
Good to know
- The City's web page says residents are limited to "3 pets per property including a combination of dogs and cats". The bylaw says "per dwelling unit" and is the rule that applies; confirm with Bylaw Services if your situation is unusual.
- Poultry and livestock may not be kept in a dwelling unit unless zoning expressly permits it.
- Zoning treats keeping three or fewer household pets normally kept within a dwelling unit, and not kept for financial gain, as part of a home's residential use.
- The bylaw states no exception for puppies or kittens and no rule for farm zones.
- Every dog over six months old needs a licence.
- A bylaw notice for too many animals is $150 ($100 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $1,000.
- Questions about a specific case: Bylaw Enforcement and Animal Services, 604-927-3580.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Port Coquitlam · Port Moody · Belcarra · Anmore · New Westminster · Burnaby
Sources
- Animal Care and Control, City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 4240, 2011 (consolidated June 2022) (PDF), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw 3000, Parts 1 and 2 (definitions), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749, 2006 (consolidated July 2026) (PDF), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320, 2012 (consolidated July 2026) (PDF), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
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.