How many dogs or cats you can keep in Kamloops

How many dogs or cats can I keep?

Kamloops, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In the City of Kamloops you may keep no more than two dogs over six months old on any parcel of land or in any dwelling unit, and no more than two cats on any parcel. A third dog needs a Council variance ($350 non-refundable application fee). Kennels, vet clinics and working farms are exempt.

Key facts

Dogs allowed	No more than two dogs over six months old on any parcel of land or in any dwelling unit in the City. More than two needs a variance from Council ($350 non-refundable application fee).Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, s. 501(a), (c); Pet Ownership, page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A person shall not have more than two dogs over the age of six months on any parcel of land or dwelling unit within the City. A person may apply for a variance to the maximum number of dogs as per Council Policy No. GGA-30. The applicant must pay a non-refundable $350 variance application fee.
Cats allowed	No more than two cats on any parcel of land in the City.Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, s. 5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall keep, harbour or have more than two cats on any parcel of land in the City
Other animal limits	Rodents (rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas and others) have no stated number limit but must stay on the owner's property in structures that meet zoning setbacks. Hens: 2 to 5, only on single- or two-family residential lots of 370 m² to 1 acre. Farm animals: only on parcels of at least one acre, no more than two per acre.Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, ss. 6.1, 3.2; Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, s. 1.2 "Rodent" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Rodents may be kept on any parcel of land subject to the following conditions: No person shall keep or harbour more than two farm animals per 0.4047 ha (one acre) on any parcel of land within the City. 3.1 No person shall keep or harbour any farm animal on any parcel of land in the City unless the said parcel has an area of not less than 0.4047 ha (one acre). No person shall keep or harbour more than two farm animals per 0.4047 ha in this bylaw) kept as pets, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes: Rabbits Hamsters White Mice Chinchillas Guinea Pigs
Exceptions	Dogs: the two-dog limit does not apply to a kennel, hobby kennel (hobby kennel: no more than five dogs, all licensed), licensed veterinary clinic or working cattle ranch or farm; registered guide and personal assistance dogs are exempt with proof. Cats: kennel operators, registered cat breeders and working cattle ranches or farms are exempt.Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, ss. 501(b), 502, 606; Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, s. 5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Section 501 a) does not apply to a person operating a: licensed veterinary clinic shall have no more than five dogs, all of which must be licensed shall be exempt from the limit on the maximum number of dogs Any person or persons operating a hobby kennel must be engaged only in the breeding shall have no more than five dogs, all of which must be licensed. or a person who is engaged in the breeding of cats and who operates under a name currently registered with the Cat Fanciers' Association
Fine	$100 for exceeding the maximum number of dogs (s. 501).Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, Schedule E · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Exceed maximum number of dogs 501 $100.00
Bylaw	Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, 2011 (dogs) and Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, 1981 (cats and other animals)Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, title; Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, s. 23 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording “City of Kamloops Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42, 2011” This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "City of Kamloops Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11, 1981."

How it works

The City of Kamloops limits dogs under the Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42 and cats under the Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11.

Dogs: no more than two over six months old on any parcel or in any dwelling unit. More than two needs a variance from Council.
Cats: no more than two on any parcel.
Other animals: rodents (rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas and others) have no stated number limit but must stay on your property in structures that meet zoning setbacks. Hens: 2 to 5, only on single- or two-family residential lots of 370 m2 to 1 acre. Farm animals: only on parcels of at least one acre, no more than two per acre.

Steps to ask for a third dog

Go in person to the Community Services Office with one piece of government-issued ID.
Submit the variance application and pay the $350 non-refundable fee.
The City advises you of its decision after a review.

Good to know

The two-dog limit does not apply to a kennel, a hobby kennel (no more than five dogs, all licensed), a licensed veterinary clinic or a working cattle ranch or farm. Registered guide and personal assistance dogs are exempt with proof.
The two-cat limit does not apply to kennel operators, registered cat breeders or working cattle ranches or farms.
Exceeding the dog limit is a $100 ticket. No ticket amount is set for exceeding the cat limit; the Animal Control Bylaw sets a court fine of $25 to $2,000 for offences with no set penalty.
Every dog over six months old must be licensed each year.

What you'll need

One piece of government-issued ID

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Sun Peaks · Chase · Barriere · Logan Lake · Ashcroft · Merritt

Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Pet Ownership, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
Dog Licences, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
Dog Responsibility and Control Bylaw No. 34-42 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Animal Control Bylaw No. 34-11 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, Schedule E (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.