---
title: "Cranbrook dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?"
place: Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/cranbrook
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Cranbrook
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/dog-licence.json"
---

# Cranbrook dog licences: fees and how to get one

**Question:** How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?

**Short answer:** In the City of Cranbrook, every dog two months or older needs a City licence. It costs $30 a year for a spayed or neutered dog and $60 for one that is not. Apply online through DocuPet at cranbrook.docupet.com or in person at City Hall with proof of spay or neuter.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Cranbrook, https://www.cranbrook.ca)  
**Cost:** $30 spayed or neutered; $60 not spayed or neutered; $225 for a dog designated vicious. Standard tag at no extra charge; designer tags cost extra (amount not stated). Replacement for a lost tag $10. Guide animals and police dogs are exempt from licence fees.  
**How long:** Valid one year (365 days) from the date of registration.  
**Where:**
- Online: DocuPet (City of Cranbrook pet licensing), https://cranbrook.docupet.com/
- In person: City Hall, 40 10th Avenue South, Cranbrook, BC V1C 2M8 (Bring proof of spay or neuter.)
- Phone: Animal Control (Bylaw Services), 250-489-9598 (Officer generally on duty 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday; leave a message any time.)

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every resident who owns a dog (or cat) two months of age or older must have a valid licence; keeping an unlicensed dog is not allowed. Guide animals and police dogs are exempt from licence fees.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), s. 3.5(a)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528)
  - Official wording: "Any PERSON that is a resident of the CITY and who is the OWNER of a" … "DOG or CAT being two (2) months of age or older shall ensure a valid DOG" … "no PERSON shall own, keep or harbour an UNLICENCED DOG or CAT"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), s. 7.3(c)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528)
  - Official wording: "GUIDE ANIMALS and POLICE DOGS are exempt from LICENCE fees."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The City of Cranbrook (Bylaw Services / Animal Control Services). The City has partnered with DocuPet for online licensing and tags.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Animal Control page](https://www.cranbrook.ca/our-city/city-departments/bylaw-services/animal-control)
  - Official wording: "Animal Control Services are provided by the City of Cranbrook." … "The City of Cranbrook has partnered with DocuPet to provide an enhanced pet licencing experience for residents."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $30 a year for a spayed or neutered dog.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Current Dog Licence Fees](https://www.cranbrook.ca/our-city/city-departments/bylaw-services/animal-control)
  - Official wording: "Male / Female Dog (spayed or neutered): $30"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), Schedule B, Part A](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528)
  - Official wording: "(b) STERILIZED 3. Female and Male CAT: (a) NON-STERILIZED $30.00 (b) STERILIZED $15.00 4. WILD ANIMAL $100.00" … "3. Female and Male CAT: (a) NON-STERILIZED $30.00 (b) STERILIZED $15.00 4. WILD ANIMAL $100.00 5. Replacement of lost LICENCE tag $10.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $60 a year for a dog that is not spayed or neutered. A vicious dog licence is $225.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Current Dog Licence Fees](https://www.cranbrook.ca/our-city/city-departments/bylaw-services/animal-control)
  - Official wording: "Male / Female Dog (not spayed or neutered): $60" … "Vicious Dog: $225"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), Schedule B, Part A](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528)
  - Official wording: "(a) NON-STERILIZED" … "1. VICIOUS DOG $225.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Replacement for a lost licence tag: $10. If you licence a dog as not sterilized and then show proof of sterilization within six months, the difference in fee is reimbursed. DocuPet designer tags cost extra (amount not stated).
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), Schedule B, Part A](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528)
  - Official wording: "Replacement of lost LICENCE tag $10.00"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), s. 7.5(b)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528)
  - Official wording: "may within six (6) months after a" … "LICENCE has been issued for their DOG or CAT furnish proof that" … "the fee for a STERILIZED DOG or CAT"
  - Source: [Animal Control, Animal Control page](https://www.cranbrook.ca/our-city/city-departments/bylaw-services/animal-control)
  - Official wording: "upgrade to one of DocuPet’s colourful designer tag styles for an additional fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** A licence is valid for one calendar year (365 days) from the date of registration, so it renews on the anniversary of registration.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), s. 7.2(a)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528)
  - Official wording: "All LICENCES issued for DOGS or CATS shall be valid for one calendar year" … "(365 days) from date of registration."
  - Source: [Animal Control, Dog Licencing](https://www.cranbrook.ca/our-city/city-departments/bylaw-services/animal-control)
  - Official wording: "a licence is valid for one calendar year (365 days) from date of registration"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** Online at cranbrook.docupet.com, or in person at City Hall (bring proof of spay/neuter). Phone Bylaw Services at 250-489-9598.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Animal Control page](https://www.cranbrook.ca/our-city/city-departments/bylaw-services/animal-control)
  - Official wording: "Pet licencing is available online at cranbrook.docupet.com or at City Hall (please bring in your proof of spay/neuter)." … "Messages may be left at any time at 250-489-9598"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: $125 ($100 if paid within 14 days; $150 if paid after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $100.
  - Source: [https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106176/, Schedule A1, s. 3.5(a)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106176/)
  - Official wording: "Unlicensed Dog and Cat $125.00 $100.00 $150.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticketing Information System Bylaw No. 3856, 2016, Schedule B1, Schedule B1, s. 3.5(a)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106172)
  - Official wording: "Unlicensed Dog and Cat 3.5(a) $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Cranbrook Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), s. 1.1](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528)
  - Official wording: "City of Cranbrook Animal Control" … "Bylaw No. 3845, 2016"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023), Schedule B](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528)
  - Official wording: "ANIMAL CONTROL BYLAW FEES AND CHARGES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the City of Cranbrook's [Animal Control Bylaw 3845](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528), a resident who owns a dog (or cat) two months or older must have a valid licence for it, and no one may keep an unlicensed dog. The City licenses pets through DocuPet. Each DocuPet tag is the official licence and includes a 24/7 lost-pet service tied to your pet's online profile.

## Steps

1. Register at cranbrook.docupet.com, or go to City Hall.
2. Have proof of spay or neuter ready. Without it the $60 fee applies.
3. Choose a standard tag (no extra charge) or a designer tag (extra cost).
4. Pay, then attach the tag to your dog's collar.

## Good to know

- The licence runs 365 days from registration, so it renews on the anniversary of that date.
- If you licence a dog as not sterilized and show proof of sterilization within six months, the bylaw refunds the difference in fee.
- Guide animals and police dogs are exempt from licence fees.
- An unlicensed dog costs you a bylaw notice of $125 ($100 if paid within 14 days, $150 after 28 days), or a municipal ticket of $100.
- A dog the City designates "vicious" costs $225; see the dangerous-dogs answer.

## What you'll need

- Proof of spay or neuter (for the $30 fee)

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control page, City of Cranbrook](https://www.cranbrook.ca/our-city/city-departments/bylaw-services/animal-control)
- [Animal Control Bylaw 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023, PDF)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Cranbrook](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/how-many-pets.md)
- [Cranbrook dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Cranbrook rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/dangerous-dogs.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Kimberley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/dog-licence.md)
- [Fernie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/dog-licence.md)
- [Canal Flats](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/dog-licence.md)
- [Sparwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sparwood/dog-licence.md)
- [Creston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/dog-licence.md)
- [Elkford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/elkford/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Control, City of Cranbrook](https://www.cranbrook.ca/our-city/city-departments/bylaw-services/animal-control) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 3845, 2016 (consolidated to February 27, 2023) (PDF)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/76528) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4049, 2021, Schedule A1 (PDF)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106176) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticketing Information System Bylaw No. 3856, 2016, Schedule B1 (PDF)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106172) (read 2026-11-05)
- [https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106176/](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106176/) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 9 of 9 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Cranbrook. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/dog-licence/_