Houston dog licences: fees and how to get one
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.
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.Animal Control, Dog Licensing; Animal Control Amendment Bylaw No. 1165, 2022, Amendment s. 1 (replacing Animal Control Bylaw s. 7); Animal Control Amendment Bylaw No. 1165, 2022, Amendment s. 4 (replacing s. 24) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAll dogs over six (6) months of age kept within the District of Houston must be licensed each year. If the owner is unable to rovide roof of age the dog will be deemed to be over the age of 6 months. A person must not possess or have custody of a dog over the age of 6 months which is not licensed. |
|---|---|
| Issued by | The District of Houston, at the Municipal Office.Animal Control, Dog Licensing · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingLicenses may be purchased at the District Municipal Office at 3367 – 12th Street. |
| Fee, spayed or neutered | $14 a year if paid before January 31; $17 a year if paid after January 31 (2026 rates).Comprehensive Fees & Charges Amending Bylaw No. 1228, 2026, Schedule A-2, 1. Dog Licences, a) Spayed/Neutered Dog · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording026 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 |
| Fee, not spayed or neutered | $37.50 a year if paid before January 31; $45 a year if paid after January 31 (2026 rates).Comprehensive Fees & Charges Amending Bylaw No. 1228, 2026, Schedule A-2, 1. Dog Licences, b) Unspayed/Unneutered Dog · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDiscount 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 |
| 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.Comprehensive Fees & Charges Amending Bylaw No. 1228, 2026, Schedule A-2, 1. Dog Licences; Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, ss. 13, 15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDiscount 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 Any fees paid for a dog license will not be refunded to any person by the District. |
| 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.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Part 3, s. 15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingwill 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 |
| 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.Animal Control, Dog Licensing; Lost Animals; Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Part 3, s. 10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingLicenses 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 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. |
| Fine, unlicensed dog | Bylaw notice: $150 ($112.50 if paid within 14 days, $187.50 after 28 days). Municipal ticket schedule: $50.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/145566/, s. 6(1)(b); Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 1129, 2019, Schedule B10, s. 24 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingUnliceneDog" $150 00 $112.50 $187.50 Early Payment Discount: A 25% discount applies ifthe penalty is paid within 14 calendar days of issuance Unlicensed Dog 24 $50.00 |
| 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).Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, title; Animal Control Amendment Bylaw No. 1165, 2022, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA bylaw to provide for the control and protection of animals, the licensing of dogs and the operation of impound facilities. A bylaw to amend the dog licensing provisions provided under Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018. |
How it works
The District of Houston licenses dogs under its Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 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
- Get a veterinarian's certificate of rabies vaccination. For the lower fee, also get a certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered.
- Go to the Municipal Office, 3367 12th Street, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and pay the fee.
- 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
The same question in other places
Telkwa · Smithers · Granisle · Burns Lake · New Hazelton · Hazelton
Sources
- Animal Control, District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact Us, District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control Amendment Bylaw No. 1165, 2022 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Comprehensive Fees & Charges Amending Bylaw No. 1228, 2026 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1230, 2026, Schedule A (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 1129, 2019 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- 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. How answers are checked.