---
title: "Creston dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence in Creston, and what does it cost?"
place: Creston, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/creston
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Creston
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/dog-licence.json"
---

# Creston dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** In Creston, the Town issues dog licences. Every dog over six months old needs one for the calendar year. A spayed or neutered dog costs $25 if bought by March 31 and $29 after that. A dog that is not costs $121 by March 31 and $127 after (taxes apply).

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Creston, https://www.creston.ca)  
**Cost:** Spayed or neutered: $25 by March 31, $29 after. Not spayed or neutered: $121 by March 31, $127 after. Taxes apply. A dog acquired or brought into the Town after August 31 pays half. Replacement tag $2. No charge for a special needs assistance animal, or for an adopted dog in the year of adoption. Fine for an unlicensed dog: $125.  
**How long:** Licences and tags expire on December 31 each year and must be renewed annually.  
**Where:**
- Online: Pet Licences page (application form), https://www.creston.ca/pet-licences
- Email: Email the completed Pet Licence Application, info@creston.ca
- In person: Town Hall, 238 - 10th Ave. N., Creston, BC (Pay in person Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Town Hall, 250-428-2214

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every dog over six months old needs a licence for the current calendar year, unless it is kept in the Town for less than one month in that year.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, ss. 8.1, 8.2](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/Animal%20Care%20and%20Responsibility%20Bylaw%20No.%201826.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall own, keep, possess or harbour any dog over the age of six (6) months in the Town" … "does not apply to a dog that is kept in the Town for less than one (1) month in a calendar year"
  - Source: [Pet Licences, Pet Licences page](https://www.creston.ca/pet-licences)
  - Official wording: "Dogs over the age of six months must have a valid pet licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The Town of Creston issues dog licences and numbered tags.
  - Source: [Pet Licences, Pet Licences page](https://www.creston.ca/pet-licences)
  - Official wording: "Pets within the Town of Creston must have a valid pet licence issued by the Town."
  - Source: [Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, s. 8.3](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/Animal%20Care%20and%20Responsibility%20Bylaw%20No.%201826.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the Town shall issue a numbered dog licence and corresponding licence tag for that licence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $25 if bought by March 31; $29 after March 31 (neutered or spayed dog; taxes apply). (Sources differ: The Fees and Charges Bylaw (consolidated to May 12, 2026) is the current schedule. The Town's January 2025 news post shows older amounts ($20, $25 after March 31). A vet certificate or a solemn declaration is needed to get the neutered/spayed fee (Animal Care bylaw s. 8.10).)
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763, Schedule 2, Schedule 2, Dog and Cat Licence Fees (consolidated to May 12, 2026)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Prior to After" … "March 31st March 31st" … "Dog or Cat – Neutered / Spayed $25.00 $29.00" … "(subject to applicable taxes)"
  - Source: [Pet licences are now due, Town news (January 8, 2025), Town news, January 8, 2025](https://www.creston.ca/town-news/2025-pet-licences-are-now-due)
  - Official wording: "Neutered $20 ($25 after March 31)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $121 if bought by March 31; $127 after March 31 (unneutered or unspayed dog; taxes apply). (Sources differ: The January 2025 news post shows older amounts ($105, $110 after March 31). The bylaw schedule is current.)
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763, Schedule 2, Schedule 2, Dog and Cat Licence Fees (consolidated to May 12, 2026)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog or Cat – Unneutered / Unspayed $121.00 $127.00"
  - Source: [Pet licences are now due, Town news (January 8, 2025), Town news, January 8, 2025](https://www.creston.ca/town-news/2025-pet-licences-are-now-due)
  - Official wording: "Male – Unneutered $105 ($110 after March 31)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** A dog acquired or brought into the Town after August 31 pays half. Special needs assistance animal: no charge. Adopted dog (year of adoption, with PAWS or Town adoption letter): no charge. Replacement tag $2.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763, Schedule 2, Schedule 2, Dog and Cat Licence Fees](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The licence fee shall be reduced by fifty percent (50%) for any dog or cat acquired and/or" … "Special Needs Assistant Animal $0.00 $0.00" … "Adopted Dog or Cat* $0.00 $0.00" … "Replacement Tag $2.00 $2.00" … "a letter of adoption signed"
  - Source: [Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, s. 8.5](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/Animal%20Care%20and%20Responsibility%20Bylaw%20No.%201826.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall be reduced by one-half in respect of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences and tags expire on December 31 each year and must be renewed annually.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, s. 8.4](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/Animal%20Care%20and%20Responsibility%20Bylaw%20No.%201826.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall expire on the 31st day of December in the calendar year in which the licence was issued"
  - Source: [Pet Licences, Pet Licences page](https://www.creston.ca/pet-licences)
  - Official wording: "Dog licences expire on the 31st of December each year and must be renewed annually."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** Complete the Pet Licence Application and email it to info@creston.ca, then pay the fee; or visit Town Hall.
  - Source: [Pet Licences, Pet Licences page](https://www.creston.ca/pet-licences)
  - Official wording: "Completed forms can be emailed to info@creston.ca."
  - Source: [Pet licences are now due, Town news (January 8, 2025), Town news, January 8, 2025](https://www.creston.ca/town-news/2025-pet-licences-are-now-due)
  - Official wording: "Visit Town Hall to pay your bill or find out more."
  - 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 late). Keeping a dog without a tag: $100 ($85 early, $115 late).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1760, Schedule A, Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw rows](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1826 8.1 No dog licence $125.00 $100.00 $150.00 YES" … "1826 8.6 No dog tag $100.00 $85.00 $115.00 YES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, 2015 (fees: Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763, Schedule 2)
  - Source: [Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, title, s. 1.1](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/Animal%20Care%20and%20Responsibility%20Bylaw%20No.%201826.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826, 2015"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763, Schedule 2](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Schedule of Dog and Cat Licence Fees"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The Town issues dog licences and numbered tags under the [Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826](<https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/Animal%20Care%20and%20Responsibility%20Bylaw%20No.%201826.pdf>). Every dog over six months old needs a licence for the current calendar year, unless it is kept in the Town for less than one month in that year. Fees are in Schedule 2 of the [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763](<https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf>).

## Steps

1. Complete the Pet Licence Application from the Town's Pet Licences page.
2. Email it to info@creston.ca, or visit Town Hall, and pay the fee.
3. For the lower fee, give a veterinarian's certificate or a solemn declaration that the dog is spayed or neutered.
4. Attach the tag to the dog's collar, harness or other device.

## Good to know

- Pay by March 31 to get the lower price. The fee goes up after that date.
- A dog acquired or brought into the Town after August 31 pays half.
- An unlicensed dog can bring a bylaw notice of $125 ($100 if paid within 14 days, $150 if paid late). Keeping a dog without a tag is $100 ($85 early, $115 late).
- The Animal Control Officer may seize an unlicensed dog.
- The Town's January 2025 news post shows older, lower fees. The bylaw schedule is the current one, so confirm the amount with Town Hall.
- Licence fees help fund the Town's partnership with P.A.W.S. (Creston Pet Adoption and Welfare Society).

## Official forms and pages

- [Pet Licences, Town of Creston](https://www.creston.ca/pet-licences)
- [Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826 (PDF)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/Animal%20Care%20and%20Responsibility%20Bylaw%20No.%201826.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/dog-licence.md)
- [Kimberley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/dog-licence.md)
- [Cranbrook](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/dog-licence.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/dog-licence.md)
- [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/dog-licence.md)
- [Montrose](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Pet Licences, Town of Creston](https://www.creston.ca/pet-licences) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Animal Care and Responsibility Bylaw No. 1826 (PDF)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2024-04/Animal%20Care%20and%20Responsibility%20Bylaw%20No.%201826.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763, Schedule 2 (PDF)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1760 (PDF)](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Pet licences are now due, Town news (January 8, 2025)](https://www.creston.ca/town-news/2025-pet-licences-are-now-due) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Town of Creston. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/dog-licence/_