---
title: "Golden dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence in Golden, and what does it cost?"
place: Golden, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/golden
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Golden
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/dog-licence.json"
---

# Golden dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** In Golden, dog licences are issued by the Town at Town Hall. A licence for a spayed or neutered dog is $20 if paid before February 1 and $30 after; for a dog that is not, $50 before February 1 and $70 after. Seniors get 50% off.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Golden, https://www.golden.ca)  
**Cost:** Spayed or neutered: $20 before February 1, $30 on or after. Not spayed or neutered: $50 before February 1, $70 on or after. Seniors 50% off. Service dog or police dog: no charge. Replacement tag $10. Aggressive dog $100 ($125 from February 1); vicious or dangerous dog $350 ($400 from February 1). Unlicenced dog fine: $70.  
**How long:** A licence is valid for the calendar year and expires December 31. The lower fee applies if you pay before February 1.  
**Where:**
- In person: Town Hall (buy or renew), 810 9th Ave. South, Golden, BC
- Phone: Town of Golden, 250-344-2271
- Online: Dog Licencing Program (renew online, application form), https://www.golden.ca/town-services/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-licencing-program

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every owner of a dog who lives in the Town more than 30 days in a year must get a dog licence before the dog reaches 4 months old. No licence is issued to anyone under 18. (Sources differ: The bylaw (in force since March 2026) is followed. The Town's licencing page still says the licence must be obtained on or before the first business day of January for each dog over 4 months; the bylaw sets no January deadline, but fees rise on February 1.)
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, s. 11.1, 11.6](https://golden.civicweb.net/filepro/document/151404/Bylaw%20No.%201510%202026,%20Town%20of%20Golden%20Responsible%20Pet%20Ownership%20and%20Animal%20Control.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every Owner of a dog who resides in the Town for more than thirty (30) days within a year" … "must obtain a Dog Licence before the dog reaches the age of four (4) months" … "must not issue a Dog Licence to, or in the name of, any person under 18 years of age"
  - Source: [Dog Licencing Program](https://www.golden.ca/town-services/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-licencing-program)
  - Official wording: "must obtain an annual licence on or before the first business day of January for each dog owned over the age of 4 months"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Issued by:** The Town of Golden, at Town Hall (810 9th Ave. South).
  - Source: [Dog Licencing Program](https://www.golden.ca/town-services/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-licencing-program)
  - Official wording: "You can purchase or renew a dog licence at Town Hall, located at 810 9th Ave. South"
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, s. 11.1, 11.10](https://golden.civicweb.net/filepro/document/151404/Bylaw%20No.%201510%202026,%20Town%20of%20Golden%20Responsible%20Pet%20Ownership%20and%20Animal%20Control.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Dog License fees payable under this Bylaw are set out in Schedule"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $20 if paid before February 1; $30 on or after February 1. A veterinarian's certificate of spaying or neutering must come with the application. Seniors get a 50% discount.
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, Schedule B; s. 11.3](https://golden.civicweb.net/filepro/document/151404/Bylaw%20No.%201510%202026,%20Town%20of%20Golden%20Responsible%20Pet%20Ownership%20and%20Animal%20Control.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog1 (spayed or neutered) $ 20.00 $ 30.00" … "Seniors 50% discount" … "a certificate signed by a Veterinarian"
  - Source: [Dog Licencing Program, Dog licence fees](https://www.golden.ca/town-services/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-licencing-program)
  - Official wording: "Dog1 (spayed or neutered) | $ 20.00 | $ 30.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $50 if paid before February 1; $70 on or after February 1. Seniors get a 50% discount.
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, Schedule B](https://golden.civicweb.net/filepro/document/151404/Bylaw%20No.%201510%202026,%20Town%20of%20Golden%20Responsible%20Pet%20Ownership%20and%20Animal%20Control.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog, Intact $ 50.00 $ 70.00" … "Seniors 50% discount"
  - Source: [Dog Licencing Program, Dog licence fees](https://www.golden.ca/town-services/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-licencing-program)
  - Official wording: "Dog, Intact1 | $ 50.00 | $ 70.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Other fees and discounts:** Service dog or police dog: no charge (a Guide Dog or Service Dog certificate must come with the application). Replacement tag $10. Aggressive dog $100 ($125 from Feb. 1); vicious or dangerous dog $350 ($400 from Feb. 1). Impound fee for an unlicenced dog $75 plus the impound fee.
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, Schedule B; s. 11.9](https://golden.civicweb.net/filepro/document/151404/Bylaw%20No.%201510%202026,%20Town%20of%20Golden%20Responsible%20Pet%20Ownership%20and%20Animal%20Control.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Service Dog/Police Dog No charge No charge" … "Replacement tag $ 10.00 $ 10.00" … "$75.00 Unlicenced dog (plus impoundment fee)" … "must include a copy of the Guide Dog or Service Dog certification"
  - Source: [Dog Licencing Program, Dog licence fees](https://www.golden.ca/town-services/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-licencing-program)
  - Official wording: "Service Dog/Police Dog | No charge | No charge"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Renewal:** Licences are valid for the calendar year and expire December 31. The lower fee applies if paid before February 1.
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, s. 11.2; Schedule B](https://golden.civicweb.net/filepro/document/151404/Bylaw%20No.%201510%202026,%20Town%20of%20Golden%20Responsible%20Pet%20Ownership%20and%20Animal%20Control.pdf)
  - Official wording: "must expire on the 31st day of December in the calendar year in which the Dog Licence was issued" … "Licences are valid for the calendar year, from January 1 to December 31"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to get one:** Buy or renew in person at Town Hall (810 9th Ave. South), or renew online using the three-digit dog licence number. A dog licence application form is on the Town's page. Phone 250-344-2271.
  - Source: [Dog Licencing Program](https://www.golden.ca/town-services/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-licencing-program)
  - Official wording: "You can purchase or renew a dog licence at Town Hall" … "renew your dog licence online using your three-digit dog license number" … "please contact us at 250-344-2271"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: $70 ($50 if paid within 14 days; $90 if paid after 28 days). Not putting the licence tag on the dog is also $70.
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, Schedule A, s. 11.1, 11.4](https://golden.civicweb.net/filepro/document/151404/Bylaw%20No.%201510%202026,%20Town%20of%20Golden%20Responsible%20Pet%20Ownership%20and%20Animal%20Control.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Unlicenced dog $ 70.00 $ 50.00 $ 90.00" … "Fail to affix dog licence $ 70.00 $ 50.00 $ 90.00"
  - Source: [Dog Licencing Program, Fines](https://www.golden.ca/town-services/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-licencing-program)
  - Official wording: "There are fines for having an unlicenced dog ($70)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control
  - Source: [Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control, s. 1.1](https://golden.civicweb.net/filepro/document/151404/Bylaw%20No.%201510%202026,%20Town%20of%20Golden%20Responsible%20Pet%20Ownership%20and%20Animal%20Control.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The Town of Golden issues dog licences under [Bylaw No. 1510, 2026](<https://golden.civicweb.net/filepro/document/151404/Bylaw%20No.%201510%202026,%20Town%20of%20Golden%20Responsible%20Pet%20Ownership%20and%20Animal%20Control.pdf>). Every owner of a dog who lives in the Town more than 30 days in a year must get a licence before the dog reaches 4 months old. No licence is issued to anyone under 18.

## Steps

1. Buy or renew in person at Town Hall, 810 9th Ave. South. You can also renew online with the three-digit dog licence number on your tag.
2. For a new licence, fill out the application form on the Town's [Dog Licencing Program](<https://www.golden.ca/town-services/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-licencing-program>) page.
3. For the lower fee, bring a veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered.
4. For no charge as a service dog, bring the Guide Dog or Service Dog certificate.
5. Put the licence tag on your dog.

## Good to know

- Pay before February 1 for the lower fee. The licence expires December 31.
- Seniors get a 50% discount. The bylaw does not say what age counts as a senior.
- A replacement tag is $10.
- Aggressive dogs cost $100 ($125 from February 1). Vicious or dangerous dogs cost $350 ($400 from February 1).
- An unlicenced dog can bring a $70 bylaw notice ($50 if paid within 14 days, $90 after 28). Not putting the tag on the dog is also $70.
- The Town's page still says the licence is due by the first business day of January. The bylaw sets no January deadline, so confirm with the Town.

## What you'll need

- Veterinarian's certificate of spaying or neutering, for the lower fee
- Guide Dog or Service Dog certificate, for no charge

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Licencing Program, Town of Golden](https://www.golden.ca/town-services/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-licencing-program)
- [Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control (PDF)](https://golden.civicweb.net/filepro/document/151404/Bylaw%20No.%201510%202026,%20Town%20of%20Golden%20Responsible%20Pet%20Ownership%20and%20Animal%20Control.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Revelstoke](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/dog-licence.md)
- [Radium Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/radium-hot-springs/dog-licence.md)
- [Invermere](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/dog-licence.md)
- [Nakusp](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/dog-licence.md)
- [New Denver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/dog-licence.md)
- [Canal Flats](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Bylaw No. 1510, 2026 Town of Golden Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Control (PDF)](https://golden.civicweb.net/filepro/document/151404/Bylaw%20No.%201510%202026,%20Town%20of%20Golden%20Responsible%20Pet%20Ownership%20and%20Animal%20Control.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Dog Licencing Program, Town of Golden](https://www.golden.ca/town-services/responsible-pet-ownership/dog-licencing-program) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 Golden. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/dog-licence/_