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

# Duncan dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** In the City of Duncan, every dog over 4 months old needs a licence each calendar year. A spayed or neutered dog costs $35 if paid by January 31 ($45 after), and an unaltered dog $60 ($75 after). Buy it at City Hall, at Coastal Animal Control Services, or online.

**Who handles it:** More than one level of government  
**Cost:** Paid by January 31 / after January 31: spayed or neutered dog $35 / $45; unaltered adult dog $60 / $75; dog deemed aggressive or dangerous $215 / $355; aggressive dog with proof of the Canine Good Neighbour Program $90 / $95; replacement tag, a dog turning 4 months old during the year, or a dog already licensed in another municipality $6. No fee for guide animals or police service dogs.  
**How long:** Licences are valid for the calendar year, January to December, and must be renewed every year.  
**Where:**
- Online: City of Duncan online accounts, https://remote.duncan.ca/vadimopen/Home.aspx
- In person: Duncan City Hall, 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC V9L 1W3
- In person: Coastal Animal Control Services of BC, 2202 Herd Road, Duncan
- Phone: City Hall, 250-746-6126
- Phone: Coastal Animal Control Services, 250-748-3395

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every dog over 4 months old must have a valid licence for the current year and wear the licence tag on its collar. A licence cannot be issued to anyone under 18.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 7.1.1, 7.1.9, 7.2.2](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/60229)
  - Official wording: "No person may keep any Dog over the age of 4 months unless the City has issued to that person a valid and subsisting licence" … "A licence must not be issued to, or in the name of, any person under the age of 18 years."
  - Source: [Animal Control, Dog Licensing](https://duncan.ca/city-hall/finance/animal_control/)
  - Official wording: "It is mandatory for every dog, over 4 months old, to be licensed yearly, and to wear the tag on their collar."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The City of Duncan issues the licences. Coastal Animal Control Services of BC, under contract to the City, administers and enforces the bylaw and also sells licences.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Animal Control; Dog Licensing](https://duncan.ca/city-hall/finance/animal_control/)
  - Official wording: "Coastal Animal Control Services of BC is contracted to the City to administer and enforce regulations of the Animal Care and Control Bylaw." … "Licences can be purchased at City Hall, 200 Craig Street (T: 250-746-6126), Coastal Animal Control Services of BC Ltd., 2202 Herd Road (T: 250-748-3395), or online."
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 7.1.1](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/60229)
  - Official wording: "No person may keep any Dog over the age of 4 months unless the City has issued to that person a valid and subsisting licence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $35 if paid by January 31; $45 if paid after January 31. The owner signs a declaration that the dog is spayed or neutered.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Schedule C, A. Licensing of Dogs](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "Neutered or spayed dog (owner to sign a declaration) $35.00 $45.00"
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 7.1.7](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/60229)
  - Official wording: "A reduced licence fee, as prescribed by the Fees and Charges Bylaw, applies for a Dog that is neutered or spayed"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $60 if paid by January 31; $75 if paid after January 31 (unaltered adult dog).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Schedule C, A. Licensing of Dogs](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "Unaltered adult dog $60.00 $75.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Dog deemed aggressive or dangerous: $215 by January 31, $355 after. Aggressive dog with proof of the Canine Good Neighbour Program: $90, or $95 after. Replacement tag, a dog turning 4 months during the year, or a dog already licensed in another municipality: $6. Guide animals and police service dogs are exempt.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Schedule C, A. Licensing of Dogs](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
  - Official wording: "Dog deemed aggressive or dangerous $215.00 $355.00" … "Replacement licence (tag), or a dog that attains the age of 4 months" … "Dog licensing fees do not apply to Guide Animals, with a valid certification under the Guide Animal Act, or Police Service Dogs."
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 7.1.6](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/60229)
  - Official wording: "Fees paid for Dog licences are non-refundable"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences are valid for the calendar year, January to December, and must be renewed yearly. The lower fee applies if paid by January 31.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Dog Licensing; Licensing Fees](https://duncan.ca/city-hall/finance/animal_control/)
  - Official wording: "The licences are valid for the calendar year from January to December." … "Paid by January 31st | Paid After January 31st"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** Buy or renew at City Hall, 200 Craig Street (250-746-6126), at Coastal Animal Control Services, 2202 Herd Road (250-748-3395), or online through the City's account portal. A spayed or neutered rate needs a signed declaration.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Dog Licensing](https://duncan.ca/city-hall/finance/animal_control/)
  - Official wording: "Licences can be purchased at City Hall, 200 Craig Street (T: 250-746-6126), Coastal Animal Control Services of BC Ltd., 2202 Herd Road (T: 250-748-3395), or online." … "Dog owners can now access their dog licence account online."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: $100 ($85 if paid within 14 days; $115 if paid more than 28 days after receiving it). No licence tag worn: $50 ($40 early, $60 late). No municipal ticket (MTI) amount is listed for this offence.
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), Schedule A, Animal Care and Control Bylaw s. 7.1.1, 7.2.2](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059)
  - Official wording: "No dog licence $100.00 $85.00 $115.00 YES" … "No dog licence tag $50.00 $40.00 $60.00 YES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019 (licence rules); fees are in the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020.
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 1 (Title)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/60229)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited as the “Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019”."
  - Source: [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 7.1.2](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/60229)
  - Official wording: "must pay the fee prescribed in the City’s Fees and Charges Bylaw"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/60229), every dog over 4 months old in the City of Duncan must have a valid licence for the current year and wear the tag on its collar. The City issues licences. Coastal Animal Control Services of BC, under contract to the City, enforces the bylaw and also sells licences. A licence cannot be issued to anyone under 18.

## Steps

1. Buy or renew online through the City's account portal, at City Hall, or at Coastal Animal Control Services.
2. For the lower fee, sign a declaration that the dog is spayed or neutered.
3. Pay by January 31 to get the lower rate.
4. Put the tag on your dog's collar.

## Good to know

- Licence fees are in the [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386). They are not refunded and not reduced for part of a year.
- Guide animals and police service dogs are exempt.
- Not having a licence is a bylaw notice of $100 ($85 if paid within 14 days, $115 after 28 days), under [Bylaw No. 3200](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059). Not wearing the tag is $50 ($40 early, $60 late). No municipal ticket amount is listed for these.
- An unlicensed dog that is impounded costs $100 for a first offence, separate from the licence fee.
- A dog deemed aggressive or dangerous has extra rules; see the dangerous dogs answer.

## What you'll need

- A signed declaration that the dog is spayed or neutered, for the lower fee

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control, City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/city-hall/finance/animal_control/)
- [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197 (PDF)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/60229)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212 (PDF)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386)
- [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF)](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dog-licence.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dog-licence.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/dog-licence.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/dog-licence.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/dog-licence.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Control, City of Duncan](https://duncan.ca/city-hall/finance/animal_control/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019 (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/60229) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020, consolidated to August 24, 2026 (PDF), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181386) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3200 (PDF, consolidated June 8, 2026), City of Duncan](https://duncan.civicweb.net/document/181059) (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 any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/dog-licence/_