{"title":"Courtenay dog licences: fees and how to get one","question":"How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?","slug":"dog-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Courtenay","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca"},"short_answer":"Every dog over six months old in the City of Courtenay needs a City licence each year. Buy it in person at City Hall or by mailing a cheque. The fee is $5 a year for a spayed or neutered dog and $25 for one that is not. Licences expire on December 31.","aliases":["dog license courtenay","dog tag courtenay","renew dog licence courtenay","how much is a dog licence"],"cost":"$25 a year for an unneutered male or unspayed female; $5 a year for a neutered or spayed dog; $2 replacement licence or tag; $1 for the rest of the year for a new resident with a valid current-year licence from another municipality.","how_long":"Licences expire on December 31 and must be renewed every year.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Courtenay City Hall","value":"830 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC V9N 2J7","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"mail","label":"Mail a cheque to City Hall","value":"City of Courtenay, 830 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC V9N 2J7"},{"type":"phone","label":"City Hall","value":"250-334-4441"}],"documents":["Your name, address and phone number","Your dog's name, breed, colour and gender","Veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered, for the lower fee"],"forms":[{"title":"Dog licensing, City of Courtenay","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/city-hall/permits-and-licensing/dog-licensing"},{"title":"Animal Control Bylaw 1897 (consolidated PDF)","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw-no1897-consolidated-version-jul-2021"}],"related":[{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/how-many-pets/"},{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Courtenay dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"dangerous-dogs","title":"Courtenay rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dangerous-dogs/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/dog-licence/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence/"},"facts":{"required":{"label":"Licence required","value":"Yes. Every dog over six months old kept in Courtenay must be licensed, and must wear its licence tag on a collar or harness at all times.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw-no1897-consolidated-version-jul-2021","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897 (consolidated July 2021) (PDF)","section":"s. 4, s. 7","quotes":["No person shall keep any dog over the age of six months within the City unless a valid licence has been obtained and is held for the dog under this bylaw."]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/city-hall/permits-and-licensing/dog-licensing","title":"Dog licensing, City of Courtenay","section":"Dog licensing page","quotes":["All dogs over six months old living in Courtenay must have a license.","Dogs must wear their licence tag on a collar or harness at all times."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"issued_by":{"label":"Issued by","value":"The City of Courtenay, at City Hall (830 Cliffe Avenue).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/city-hall/permits-and-licensing/dog-licensing","title":"Dog licensing, City of Courtenay","section":"How to get a dog licence","quotes":["Visit Courtenay City Hall","830 Cliffe Avenue"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/services/bylaws/animal-control","title":"Animal control, City of Courtenay","section":"Dog licensing","quotes":["Licences are available at City Hall."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee_altered":{"label":"Fee, spayed or neutered","value":"$5 a year for a neutered male or spayed female dog. A vet certificate is required (proof for a first licence).","short":"$5 a year","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/city-hall/permits-and-licensing/dog-licensing","title":"Dog licensing, City of Courtenay","section":"Fees","quotes":["Neutered male or spayed female | $5 annually","If this is your first licence and your dog has been spayed or neutered, please include proof from your veterinarian."]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw-no1897-consolidated-version-jul-2021","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897 (consolidated July 2021) (PDF)","section":"Sched. A s. 3(b), 3(d)","quotes":["For every neutered male dog, proven to be such by the production of a","For every spayed female dog, proven to be such by the production of a"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee_unaltered":{"label":"Fee, not spayed or neutered","value":"$25 a year for an unneutered male or unspayed female dog.","short":"$25 a year","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/city-hall/permits-and-licensing/dog-licensing","title":"Dog licensing, City of Courtenay","section":"Fees","quotes":["Unneutered male or unspayed female | $25 annually"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw-no1897-consolidated-version-jul-2021","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897 (consolidated July 2021) (PDF)","section":"Sched. A s. 3(a), 3(c)","quotes":["For every unneutered male dog:","For every unspayed female dog:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_fees":{"label":"Other fees and discounts","value":"Replacement licence or tag: $2. New resident with a valid current-year licence from another municipality: $1 for the rest of the year. A dog brought into the City on or after August 1 with proof of a licence bought elsewhere pays half the annual fee. A dog unlicensed when impounded pays an extra $50 plus the licence fee.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/city-hall/permits-and-licensing/dog-licensing","title":"Dog licensing, City of Courtenay","section":"Fees","quotes":["Replacement licence or dog tag | $2","New Courtenay residents with a valid dog licence for the current year from another municipality | $1 for the rest of the year"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw-no1897-consolidated-version-jul-2021","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897 (consolidated July 2021) (PDF)","section":"Sched. A s. 2(c), 3(e)-(g)","quotes":["The owner of any dog unlicenced at the time of impoundment shall pay an","one-half of the annual licence fee.","For a replacement licence or dog tag:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences expire on December 31 each year and must be renewed annually.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/city-hall/permits-and-licensing/dog-licensing","title":"Dog licensing, City of Courtenay","section":"Dog licensing page","quotes":["Licences expire on December 31 each year and must be renewed annually."]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw-no1897-consolidated-version-jul-2021","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897 (consolidated July 2021) (PDF)","section":"s. 10","quotes":["shall expire on the thirty-first day of December"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_get":{"label":"How to get one","value":"In person at City Hall, 830 Cliffe Avenue, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by mailing a cheque to City of Courtenay, 830 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC V9N 2J7. Include your name, address, phone and the dog's name, breed, colour and gender.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/city-hall/permits-and-licensing/dog-licensing","title":"Dog licensing, City of Courtenay","section":"How to get a dog licence","quotes":["Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.","Mail a cheque:","your dog’s name, breed, colour and gender"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine_unlicensed":{"label":"Fine, unlicensed dog","value":"Bylaw notice: $100 for no dog licence ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 if paid late). Failing to affix the tag is also $100.","short":"Notice $100 ($75 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3185-municipal-enforcement-bylaw-no-3185pdf","title":"Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 3185 (PDF)","section":"Appendix A, Animal Control Bylaw","quotes":["No dog licence III.4 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 Yes","Fail to affix dog licence tag III.7 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 Yes"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897, 1996","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw-no1897-consolidated-version-jul-2021","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897 (consolidated July 2021) (PDF)","section":"s. 44","quotes":["Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897, 1996"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":9,"stated":9,"matched":9,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Courtenay requires every dog over six months old kept in the City to be licensed under its [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw-no1897-consolidated-version-jul-2021). The dog must wear its licence tag on a collar or harness at all times. The licence comes from the City at City Hall.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Gather your name, address and phone number, and your dog's name, breed, colour and gender.\n2. For the $5 fee, get a veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered (it is needed as proof for a first licence).\n3. Go to City Hall, or mail a cheque with those details to City of Courtenay, 830 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC V9N 2J7.\n4. Put the tag on your dog's collar or harness.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Licences expire on December 31. The licensing page says 2027 licences are now available.\n- A dog brought into the City on or after August 1 with proof of a licence bought elsewhere pays half the annual fee.\n- A dog that is unlicensed when impounded pays an extra $50 plus the licence fee.\n- A bylaw notice for no dog licence is $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 if paid late). Not putting the tag on the dog is also $100. The bylaw also allows a court fine of $50 to $2,000 on conviction.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/city-hall/permits-and-licensing/dog-licensing","title":"Dog licensing, City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/animal-control-bylaw-no1897-consolidated-version-jul-2021","title":"Animal Control Bylaw No. 1897 (consolidated July 2021) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3185-municipal-enforcement-bylaw-no-3185pdf","title":"Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 3185 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/services/bylaws/animal-control","title":"Animal control, City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 9 of 9 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dog-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dog-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/dog-licence.json"}}