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

# Houston dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** In Houston, every dog over 6 months old must be licensed each year. The District of Houston sells licences at the Municipal Office. The 2026 fee is $14 for a spayed or neutered dog and $37.50 for one that is not, if paid before January 31.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Houston, https://houston.ca)  
**Cost:** 2026: $14 spayed or neutered, $37.50 not spayed or neutered, if paid before January 31. After January 31: $17 and $45. Kennel licence (5 or more dogs): $135 before January 31, $169 after. Replacement tag $6; licence transfer $6. Aggressive dog licence $150; dangerous dog licence $250. Fees are not refundable. The fee schedule lists higher fees for 2027 to 2030.  
**How long:** A licence is good for the calendar year it is bought in and expires after December 31.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Office, 3367 12th Street, Houston, BC V0J 1Z0 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed statutory holidays)
- Phone: Municipal Office, 250-845-2238 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every dog over 6 months old kept in the District must be licensed each year. If the owner cannot prove the dog's age, it is treated as over 6 months.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Dog Licensing](https://houston.ca/community/animal-control/)
  - Official wording: "All dogs over six (6) months of age kept within the District of Houston must be licensed each year."
  - Source: [Animal Control Amendment Bylaw No. 1165, 2022, Amendment s. 1 (replacing Animal Control Bylaw s. 7)](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144983/)
  - Official wording: "If the owner is unable to rovide roof of age the dog will be deemed to be over the age of 6 months."
  - Source: [Animal Control Amendment Bylaw No. 1165, 2022, Amendment s. 4 (replacing s. 24)](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144983/)
  - Official wording: "A person must not possess or have custody of a dog over the age of 6 months which is not licensed."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Issued by:** The District of Houston, at the Municipal Office.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Dog Licensing](https://houston.ca/community/animal-control/)
  - Official wording: "Licenses may be purchased at the District Municipal Office at 3367 – 12th Street."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $14 a year if paid before January 31; $17 a year if paid after January 31 (2026 rates).
  - Source: [Comprehensive Fees & Charges Amending Bylaw No. 1228, 2026, Schedule A-2, 1. Dog Licences, a) Spayed/Neutered Dog](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145047/)
  - Official wording: "026 20 7 2028 2029 2030" … "Discount Rate (lfpald before January 31) annually 14.00 1500 16.00 17.00 18.00" … "Standard Rate (lipald after January 31) annually 17.00 18.00 19.00 20.00 21.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $37.50 a year if paid before January 31; $45 a year if paid after January 31 (2026 rates).
  - Source: [Comprehensive Fees & Charges Amending Bylaw No. 1228, 2026, Schedule A-2, 1. Dog Licences, b) Unspayed/Unneutered Dog](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145047/)
  - Official wording: "Discount Rate (it paid betore January 31) annually 37.50 39.00 41.00 43.00 4500" … "Standard Rate (It paid a?er January 31) annually 45.00 4700 49.00 51 .00 53.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Other fees and discounts:** Early-payment rate applies if paid before January 31. Kennel licence (5 or more dogs): $135 before January 31, $169 after. Replacement tag $6. Licence transfer $6. Aggressive dog licence $150; dangerous dog licence $250.
  - Source: [Comprehensive Fees & Charges Amending Bylaw No. 1228, 2026, Schedule A-2, 1. Dog Licences](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145047/)
  - Official wording: "Discount Rate (if paid before January 31) annually 135.00 140.00 145.00 150.00 155.00" … "Standard Rate (iipald alter January 31) annually 169.00 175.00 181.00 187.00 193.00" … "d) Replacement Licence Tag per tag 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 10.00" … "e) Licence Transter Fee per licence 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 10.00" … "b) Aggressive Dog annually 150.00 155.00 160.00 165.00 170.00" … "c) Dangerous Dog annually 250.00 258.00 266.00 274.00 263.00"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, ss. 13, 15](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145077/)
  - Official wording: "Any fees paid for a dog license will not be refunded to any person by the District."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Renewal:** A licence is good for the calendar year it was bought in and expires after December 31 of that year. Renewal is by paying the licence fee again.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Part 3, s. 15](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145077/)
  - Official wording: "will be effective for the calendar year it was purchased in;" … "expires after December 31 of the year it was purchased in;" … "may be renewed by an owner by paying the applicable license fee specified in the Fees"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to get one:** In person at the District Municipal Office, 3367 12th Street, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The application needs a vet certificate of rabies vaccination and, for a sterilized dog, a vet certificate of sterilization.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Dog Licensing; Lost Animals](https://houston.ca/community/animal-control/)
  - Official wording: "Licenses may be purchased at the District Municipal Office at 3367 – 12th Street." … "regular office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Part 3, s. 10](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145077/)
  - Official wording: "a certificate from a qualified veterinarian confirming that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies; and" … "a certificate from a qualified veterinarian confirming that the dog has been sterilized."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: $150 ($112.50 if paid within 14 days, $187.50 after 28 days). Municipal ticket schedule: $50.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1230, 2026, Schedule A, Schedule A, Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Unlicensed Dog](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144929/)
  - Official wording: "UnliceneDog" $150 00 $112.50 $187.50"
  - Source: [https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145566/, s. 6(1)(b)](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145566/)
  - Official wording: "Early Payment Discount: A 25% discount applies ifthe penalty is paid within 14 calendar days of issuance"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 1129, 2019, Schedule B10, s. 24](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145065/)
  - Official wording: "Unlicensed Dog 24 $50.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, as amended by Bylaw No. 1165, 2022. Fees are in Comprehensive Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 1094, 2017, as amended (latest dog fee schedule: Bylaw No. 1228, 2026).
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, title](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145077/)
  - Official wording: "A bylaw to provide for the control and protection of animals, the licensing of dogs and the operation of impound facilities."
  - Source: [Animal Control Amendment Bylaw No. 1165, 2022, title](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144983/)
  - Official wording: "A bylaw to amend the dog licensing provisions provided under Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The District of Houston licenses dogs under its [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145077/), as amended by Bylaw No. 1165. Every dog over 6 months old kept in the District needs a licence each year. If you cannot prove your dog's age, it is treated as over 6 months. Puppies under 6 months may be registered voluntarily. The District will not issue a licence to anyone under 18.

## Steps

1. Get a veterinarian's certificate of rabies vaccination. For the lower fee, also get a certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered.
2. Go to the Municipal Office, 3367 12th Street, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and pay the fee.
3. Renew each year by paying the fee again, before January 31 for the lower rate.

## Good to know

- The District's page says licences "may be purchased" at the Municipal Office. It does not mention online or mail-in sales, so call 250-845-2238 to ask.
- An unlicensed dog can bring a bylaw notice of $150 ($112.50 if paid within 14 days, $187.50 after 28 days). The older municipal ticket schedule lists $50.
- Kept more than four dogs? See the how-many-pets answer.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control, District of Houston](https://houston.ca/community/animal-control/)
- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018 (PDF), District of Houston](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145077/)
- [Comprehensive Fees & Charges Amending Bylaw No. 1228, 2026 (PDF), District of Houston](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145047/)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Telkwa](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/dog-licence.md)
- [Smithers](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/dog-licence.md)
- [Granisle](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/granisle/dog-licence.md)
- [Burns Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burns-lake/dog-licence.md)
- [New Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-hazelton/dog-licence.md)
- [Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hazelton/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Control, District of Houston](https://houston.ca/community/animal-control/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Contact Us, District of Houston](https://houston.ca/contact/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018 (PDF), District of Houston](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145077/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Animal Control Amendment Bylaw No. 1165, 2022 (PDF), District of Houston](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144983/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Comprehensive Fees & Charges Amending Bylaw No. 1228, 2026 (PDF), District of Houston](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145047/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1230, 2026, Schedule A (PDF), District of Houston](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144929/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 1129, 2019 (PDF), District of Houston](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145065/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145566/](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145566/) (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 District of Houston. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/dog-licence/_