Highlands dog licences: fees and how to get one

How do I get a dog licence in Highlands, and what does it cost?

Highlands, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Highlands, dog licences are sold by the Capital Regional District (CRD), which does animal control for the District under contract. Every dog over four months old needs one each calendar year. The animal bylaw lists $25 for a spayed or neutered dog and $45 for one that is not, but the CRD's own page lists higher fees, so confirm the price when you apply.

Key facts

Licence required	Yes. The owner of each dog over four months old must get a licence for the calendar year, on or before the last day of February (or right away if the dog is acquired after that). No fee for guide dogs and police dogs.Animal Regulation and Impounding By-law No. 1, 1986 (CRD Bylaw 1465), s. 3, s. 5(6), s. 1 'Dog' · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording The owner of a dog shall obtain a license for the calendar year, January 1 to over the age of four (4) months No licence fee shall be charged for Police Dogs and Guide Dogs.
Issued by	Capital Regional District (CRD Animal Care Services), under contract to the District of Highlands.Animal Control & Licensing; Licensing for Dogs, Capital Regional District · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording The District of Highlands has contracted the Capital Regional District for Animal Bylaw Issues. CRD Animal Care Services provides dog licencing for Langford, Colwood, Sooke, Metchosin, Highlands
Fee, spayed or neutered	Bylaw 1465 Schedule A: $25 a year. The CRD licensing page (fees in effect June 11, 2025) lists $35 if renewed before December 31, $40 regular and $60 after March 1.Sources differ: CONFLICT: the CRD's own licensing page (fees in effect as of June 11, 2025) lists $35 early (renewed before December 31), $40 regular and $60 late (after March 1) for a spayed or neutered dog. The Highlands copy of the bylaw (consolidated to May 21, 2024) still shows $25. Value follows the bylaw; the CRD sells the licence so the web fees are probably what is charged. A free first-year licence is also given if the dog was neutered or spayed in the 12 months before applying (s. 5(2)).Animal Regulation and Impounding By-law No. 1, 1986 (CRD Bylaw 1465), Schedule A, items (b) and (d); Licensing for Dogs, Capital Regional District, Licensing Fees (CRD web page) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Female Dog (spayed) 25.00* Male Dog (neutered) 25.00* Spayed/neutered (altered) \| $35 \| $40 \| $60
Fee, not spayed or neutered	Bylaw 1465 Schedule A: $45 a year. The CRD licensing page (fees in effect June 11, 2025) lists $55 if renewed before December 31, $60 regular and $80 after March 1.Sources differ: CONFLICT: the CRD's licensing page (as of June 11, 2025) lists $55 early, $60 regular and $80 late for an unaltered dog. The Highlands bylaw copy shows $45. Value follows the bylaw.Animal Regulation and Impounding By-law No. 1, 1986 (CRD Bylaw 1465), Schedule A, items (a) and (c); Licensing for Dogs, Capital Regional District, Licensing Fees (CRD web page) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Female Dog (not spayed) $ 45.00* Male Dog (not neutered) 45.00* Unspayed/unneutered (unaltered) \| $55 \| $60 \| $80
Other fees and discounts	Early-payment discount: the CRD lists lower fees if renewed before December 31 and higher late fees after March 1. Replacement tag $5. Bylaw: $10 late penalty, dangerous dog licence $100, kennel $75, $150 or $200. No senior discount found.Animal Regulation and Impounding By-law No. 1, 1986 (CRD Bylaw 1465), Schedule A, items (e) to (j); s. 5(4); s. 8; Licensing for Dogs, Capital Regional District, Licensing Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Replacement of Lost Licence 5.00 Late Application Penalty 10.00 Dangerous Dog Licence 100.00 the new owner may apply for a new licence at no cost Early discounts as well as late fees are in effect. Replacement tags are $5 each.
Renewal	Licences are for the calendar year and expire on December 31. The new year's licence is due by the last day of February (the CRD advises buying ahead, before December 31).Animal Regulation and Impounding By-law No. 1, 1986 (CRD Bylaw 1465), s. 3 and s. 6; Licensing for Dogs, Capital Regional District, How Often Do I Need to Renew · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording shall expire on the 31st day of December next following the date on or before the last day of February in Your dog's licence is valid for the calendar year, from January 1 to December 31.
How to get one	Through the CRD: complete the online dog licence application form, then pay online with your account number. Or phone 250-478-0624, email animalservices@crd.bc.ca, or visit CRD Animal Care Services, 212-2780 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Langford.Licensing for Dogs, Capital Regional District, Apply for a licence; Where to Get a Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording If you live in one of the above municipalities, please complete the CRD dog licence application form: By phone (250.478.0624 or 1.800.665.7899 extension 0) with a credit card By email at animalservices@crd.bc.ca CRD Animal Care Services: 212 - 2780 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Langford
Fine, unlicensed dog	Bylaw notice: $50 ($40 if paid within 14 days; $60 after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $50. Having no tag on the dog is also $50.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 475, 2025, Schedule A, CRD Animal Regulation bylaw, s. 3; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 478, 2025, Schedule A, Appendix 2, s. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording No Dog License 3 $50.00 $40.00 $60.00 No License Tag on Dog 7 $50.00 $40.00 $60.00 No Dog License 3 $50.00
Bylaw	Animal Regulation and Impounding By-law No. 1, 1986 (Capital Regional District Bylaw No. 1465), posted by the District as 'Animal Regulations (CRD) Bylaw'.Animal Regulation and Impounding By-law No. 1, 1986 (CRD Bylaw 1465), s. 36 and title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording BY-LAW NO. 1465 This By-law may be cited as the “Animal Regulation and Impounding By-law No. 1,

How it works

The District of Highlands has contracted the CRD for animal bylaw issues, so the CRD issues dog licences here under the Animal Regulation and Impounding By-law No. 1, 1986 (CRD Bylaw 1465). The owner of each dog over four months old must have a licence for the calendar year.

Steps

Complete the online dog licence application form on the CRD's licensing page.
Pay online with your account number. You can also phone 250-478-0624, email animalservices@crd.bc.ca, or visit CRD Animal Care Services at 212-2780 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Langford.
Renew each year. The CRD advises buying ahead, before December 31.

Good to know

The bylaw sets $25 and $45; the CRD page lists $35 / $55 if renewed before December 31, $40 / $60 regular and $60 / $80 after March 1 (spayed or neutered / not). The Highlands copy of the bylaw may be out of date, so confirm with the CRD.
The bylaw also lists a $10 late application penalty and a $100 dangerous dog licence.
A dog without a licence: bylaw notice $50 ($40 if paid within 14 days; $60 after 28 days); municipal ticket $50. A dog with no tag is also $50.
Highlands is not on the CRD's list of municipal halls that sell tags in person.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Langford · View Royal · Central Saanich · Colwood · Esquimalt · Saanich

Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Animal Control & Licensing, District of Highlands (read 2026-11-08)
Licensing for Dogs, Capital Regional District (read 2026-11-08)
Animal Regulation and Impounding By-law No. 1, 1986 (CRD Bylaw 1465) (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 475, 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 478, 2025 (PDF) (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. How answers are checked.