How many dogs or cats you can keep in Gold River
How many dogs or cats can I keep in Gold River?
Short answer
In Gold River, a household may keep no more than three dogs over three months old. Four or more dogs count as a kennel, which needs a $75 yearly kennel licence and must be allowed by zoning. The Animal Control Bylaw sets no limit on cats.
Key facts
| Dogs allowed | No more than three dogs over three months old per household. An owner with four or more dogs is deemed to own a Kennel, which is subject to the zoning bylaw and the business licence bylaw.Sources differ: The Animal Control Bylaw defines a Kennel as four or more dogs (s. 2.15) and deems four or more dogs a Kennel (s. 3.11), while the Zoning Bylaw's 'Kennel' definition says three or more pets kept for enjoyment, remuneration or sale. The animal bylaw is the specific rule on household limits.Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022, s. 3.11; Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, s. 2.0 "Kennel" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo household shall keep or have in their possession more than three (3) dogs over the age of three (3) months. Where any owner possesses or harbors four (4) or more dogs they shall be deemed to own a Kennel where three (3) or more pets are kept, trained, cared for, bred, treated, hospitalized or boarded |
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| Cats allowed | No cat limit in the Animal Control Bylaw. The Zoning Bylaw treats keeping three or more pets (any domesticated animal) as a 'Kennel' use; confirm with the Village.Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, s. 2.0 "Kennel", "Pet" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingwhere three (3) or more pets are kept, trained, cared means a domesticated animal kept by a household |
| Other animal limits | Zoning Bylaw: pets are permitted in all residential zones if kept under the Animal Control Bylaw and not a nuisance. Keeping animals to the extent of a nuisance is banned. The zoning 'Kennel' definition starts at three or more pets.Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, s. 4.4.1; Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022, s. 4.9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe keeping of pets in accordance with the Village Animal Control Bylaw and to the extent of not creating a nuisance shall be permitted in all The keeping of pets in accordance with the Village Animal Control Bylaw where three (3) or more pets are kept, trained, cared No person shall keep Dogs or animals to the extent of creating a nuisance, disturbance or public health hazard. |
| Exceptions | A Kennel licence ($75 a year). A kennel may have no more than ten dogs, and the owner must also meet the business licence bylaw and other Village bylaws.Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022, s. 7.1; Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022, s. 7.3; Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 734.1, 2022, Schedule H · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAn owner of a Kennel shall apply to the Village for a Kennel licence have or keep more than ten (10) dogs in a kennel Unspayed Female Dog $20.00 $40.00 All Year Kennel Licence $75.00 Duplicate Licence $10.00 Neuter or Spay Rebate $20.00 |
| Fine | Not confirmed. The ticket amount is not readable in the Village's posted copy of its ticket bylaw. |
| Bylaw | Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022 (s. 3.11)Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAnimal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022 |
How it works
The Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022 allows no more than three dogs over three months old per household in Gold River. An owner of four or more dogs is deemed to own a kennel, which is subject to the zoning bylaw and the business licence bylaw. The bylaw sets no limit on cats.
Good to know
- A kennel needs a kennel licence ($75 a year), may have no more than ten dogs, and must also meet the business licence bylaw and other Village bylaws. The Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025 must also allow a kennel on the lot.
- The other official source differs: the Zoning Bylaw defines a "kennel" as three or more pets kept for enjoyment, remuneration or sale. The animal bylaw is the specific rule on household limits, but confirm with the Village if you keep three pets.
- Zoning allows pets in all residential zones if they are kept under the Animal Control Bylaw and are not a nuisance. Keeping animals to the extent of a nuisance is banned.
- Livestock and poultry have separate limits; see the backyard chickens answer.
- The ticket amount is not readable in the Village's posted copy of its ticket bylaw. Call Village Hall at (250) 283-2202.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Tahsis · Campbell River · Tofino · Sayward · Cumberland · Courtenay
Sources
- Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022 (PDF), Village of Gold River (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025 (PDF), Village of Gold River (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 734.1, 2022 (PDF), Village of Gold River (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.