How many dogs or cats you can keep in Gibsons

How many dogs or cats can I keep in Gibsons?

Gibsons, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Gibsons, you may keep no more than 4 household pets on a property, including no more than 2 dogs over 6 months old and 4 cats over 12 weeks old. Exceeding the limit is a $250 bylaw notice.

Key facts

Dogs allowed	No more than 2 dogs over 6 months old on any property (within an overall limit of 4 household pets).Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, s. 2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall keep or allow to be kept on any property more than 4 household pets, including not more than 2 dogs over the age of 6 months and not more than 4 cats over the age of 12 weeks, excluding a veterinary business on a parcel zoned for that use.
Cats allowed	No more than 4 cats over 12 weeks old on any property (within an overall limit of 4 household pets).Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, s. 2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall keep or allow to be kept on any property more than 4 household pets, including not more than 2 dogs over the age of 6 months and not more than 4 cats over the age of 12 weeks, excluding a veterinary business on a parcel zoned for that use.
Other animal limits	No more than 4 household pets in total on a property. 'Household pet' means a fully domesticated animal such as a dog, cat, reptile, bird or rodent. It does not include horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, fur-bearing animals or animals kept for food or profit.Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, s. 2.1; Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, s. 1 definition of Household Pet; Zoning Bylaw No. 1342, 2025, Zoning Bylaw 1342, s. 3.8.2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall keep or allow to be kept on any property more than 4 household pets, including not more than 2 dogs over the age of 6 months and not more than 4 cats over the age of 12 weeks, excluding a veterinary business on a parcel zoned for that use. such as a dog, cat, reptile, bird or rodent. A household pet does not include any type of horse, cow, pig, sheep, goat, chicken, turkey or captive fur-bearing animal, or any animal kept for food or profit. other than household pets is prohibited in all zones except the AG zone.
Exceptions	The limit does not apply to a veterinary business on a parcel zoned for that use. Dogs under 6 months and cats under 12 weeks are not counted in the dog and cat limits.Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, s. 2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall keep or allow to be kept on any property more than 4 household pets, including not more than 2 dogs over the age of 6 months and not more than 4 cats over the age of 12 weeks, excluding a veterinary business on a parcel zoned for that use.
Fine	Bylaw notice for exceeding permitted pets: $250 ($150 if paid early, $350 late).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1125, Schedule A, Bylaw 1328 s. 2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL BYLAW NO. 1328, 2025 1328 2.1 Exceed permitted pets $250 $150 $350 Y 1328 2.2 Contravene zoning $200 $150 $250 Y
Bylaw	Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328, 2025, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "Town of Gibsons Animal Care and

How it works

Section 2.1 of the Animal Care and Regulation Bylaw No. 1328 limits the pets on any property in Gibsons:

No more than 2 dogs over 6 months old.
No more than 4 cats over 12 weeks old.
No more than 4 household pets in total.

A household pet is a fully domesticated animal such as a dog, cat, reptile, bird or rodent. It does not include horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, fur-bearing animals, or animals kept for food or profit.

Good to know

Dogs under 6 months and cats under 12 weeks are not counted in the dog and cat limits. The bylaw does not say whether they count toward the total of 4.
The limit does not apply to a veterinary business on a parcel zoned for that use.
Animals other than household pets are allowed only in the AG (agricultural) zone under Zoning Bylaw No. 1342. Wild or exotic animals listed in the bylaw are prohibited.
The bylaw describes no kennel licence or permit for more pets.
Exceeding the limit is a bylaw notice of $250 ($150 if paid early, $350 late).
Questions: Bylaw Officer, 604-886-2274 or beo@gibsons.ca.