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How many dogs or cats you can keep in Delta

How many dogs or cats can I keep?

Delta, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In the City of Delta the limit is 2 dogs over 4 months old per dwelling unit as household pets, unless zoning allows more (on RS2 lots, up to 3 dogs when raising animals). Cats have no limit of their own, but cats count toward a combined cap of 6 small animals outside Agricultural zones.

Key facts

Dogs allowedA maximum of 2 dogs over 4 months old per dwelling unit as household pets (Zoning Bylaw s. 6.1.2(f)(ii)), unless the zoning allows more. In the RS2 zone, the animal-raising rule says no more than 3 dogs. Kennels are a principal use in the A1 zone.Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated), s. 6.1.2(f)(ii); Licensing & Permits, Delta Community Animal Shelter · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
A maximum of 2 dogs over the age of 4 months are permitted.
no minks, foxes, pigs, ducks or more than 3 dogs shall be permitted;
A maximum of two dogs is permitted per dwelling unit, unless the applicable zoning permits more.
Cats allowedNo cat-only limit found. The Keeping of Animals Regulation Bylaw caps the combined total at 6 adult small animals including cats (not in Agricultural zones).Delta Keeping of Animals Regulation Bylaw No. 1745, 1971 (consolidated 1996), s. 3; Delta Keeping of Animals Regulation Bylaw No. 1745, 1971 (consolidated 1996), s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
any greater number than six (6) in the aggregate
exception of those lands and premises which are presently or which may
Other animal limitsCombined limit of 6 adult hamsters, guinea pigs, tame mice, chinchillas, cats, rabbits or other small animals, not dogs (Keeping of Animals Bylaw, not in Agricultural zones). Maximum 4 pigeons or game birds. Hens: 2 to 4 on RS and RD lots; 12 poultry on RS2 lots of 0.2 ha or more.Delta Keeping of Animals Regulation Bylaw No. 1745, 1971 (consolidated 1996), s. 3; Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated), s. 6.1.2(f)(iii) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
user, any greater number than six (6) in the aggregate, at any one time, of the following adult animals: Hamster Guinea pigs Tame mice Chinchillas Cats
the following adult animals: Hamster Guinea pigs Tame mice Chinchillas Cats Rabbits or Any other small animals, except dogs. Amend. 4. No person shall sell or offer to sell or display for sale turtles or viable turtle
A maximum of 4 pigeons or game birds are permitted.
Keeping of not less than 2 and not more than 4 hens is permitted on a lot in any
ExceptionsBylaw 1745 does not apply in Agricultural zones. Dogs under 4 months old are not counted in the zoning limit. Kennels are a permitted use in the A1 agricultural zone, subject to Section 10.10. Some zones set their own animal limits.Delta Keeping of Animals Regulation Bylaw No. 1745, 1971 (consolidated 1996), s. 2; Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated), s. 6.1.2(f)(ii); Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated), A1 zone · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
exception of those lands and premises which are presently or which may hereinafter be, situate within the boundaries of an "Agricultural Zone" as defined and delimited by the "Delta Zoning Bylaw".
A maximum of 2 dogs over the age of 4 months are permitted.
This zone is intended for farming, breeding pets, kennels and related uses.
FineMore than 2 dogs (Zoning Bylaw): bylaw notice $200 ($175 within 14 days, $225 after 28 days). Too many small animals (Keeping of Animals Bylaw s. 3): municipal ticket $150.Delta Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7009, 2011 (consolidated July 7, 2026), Schedule A, Zoning s. 6.1.2(f)(ii); Delta Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw No. 6639 (consolidated May 22, 2026), Schedule 1, Keeping of Animals Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Keeping more than 2 dogs 200 175 225
3 Too many animals 150
BylawDelta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (s. 6.1.2(f)); Delta Keeping of Animals Regulation Bylaw No. 1745, 1971Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated), s. 6.1.2(f); Delta Keeping of Animals Regulation Bylaw No. 1745, 1971 (consolidated 1996), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Keeping of Household Pets
DELTA KEEPING OF ANIMALS REGULATION BYLAW NO. 1745, 1971

How it works

Delta limits dogs through the Zoning Bylaw No. 7600 and small animals through the Keeping of Animals Regulation Bylaw No. 1745. Farm and Agricultural land is treated differently.

Good to know

  • Dogs: a maximum of 2 dogs over 4 months old per dwelling unit as household pets, unless the zoning allows more. Dogs under 4 months old are not counted. In the RS2 zone, the rules for raising animals say no more than 3 dogs. Kennels are a permitted use in the A1 agricultural zone. Some zones set their own animal limits.
  • Cats: no cat-only limit was found. Cats are counted in the small-animal cap below. Cats over 6 months must be spayed or neutered or have a $100 cat breeding permit (Animal Control Bylaw s. 59).
  • Small animals: no more than 6 adult hamsters, guinea pigs, tame mice, chinchillas, cats, rabbits or other small animals (dogs excluded) in total. The Keeping of Animals Bylaw does not apply in Agricultural zones. Maximum 4 pigeons or game birds.
  • Hens: 2 to 4 on RS and RD lots, and 12 poultry on RS2 lots of 0.2 ha or more. See the backyard chickens answer.
  • Fines: more than 2 dogs is a $200 bylaw notice ($175 within 14 days, $225 after 28 days). Too many small animals is a $150 municipal ticket.
  • The City's copy of the Keeping of Animals Bylaw is a 1996 consolidation. Ask Development (604-946-3380) or the Shelter (604-940-7111) to confirm it is current and which rule applies to your zone.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Richmond · Burnaby · White Rock · New Westminster · Surrey · North Vancouver

Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Licensing & Permits, Delta Community Animal Shelter (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Delta Keeping of Animals Regulation Bylaw No. 1745, 1971 (consolidated 1996) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Delta Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7009, 2011 (consolidated July 7, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Delta Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw No. 6639 (consolidated May 22, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Building & Renovating, City of Delta (Development contact) (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.