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How many dogs or cats you can keep in Kitimat

How many dogs or cats can I keep in Kitimat?

Kitimat, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Kitimat a dwelling in a residential zone may have no more than 4 dogs, 6 cats, and 7 dogs and cats combined at any one time. Only animals apparently over 4 months old count. Registered backyard hens are allowed; other farm animals are not.

Key facts

Dogs allowedNo more than 4 dogs at any one time on any dwelling in a residential zone.Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.5.7.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
No person shall keep, harbour or permit to remain on any dwelling
in a residential zone more than FOUR (4) Dogs at any one time
Cats allowedNo more than 6 cats at any one time on any dwelling in a residential zone.Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.5.7.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
in a residential zone more than SIX (6) Cats at any one time
Other animal limitsNo more than 7 dogs and cats combined on a dwelling in a residential zone. Horses, mules, asses, cows, sheep, swine, reptiles, poultry and fur-producing animals (other than a pet rabbit) are not allowed in residential zones, unless otherwise permitted (registered hens may be kept: see backyard chickens).Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.5.7.3; s. 9.4.1.28-29 (Part 9, Division 4); Council meeting agenda June 15, 2026 with Bylaw No. 2087, 2026, Bylaw No. 2087, 2026, s. 3 (amends 9.4.1.28) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
an aggregate of
more than SEVEN (7) Dogs and Cats
No person shall keep any horse, mule, ass, cow, sheep, swine,
reptile, poultry or fur-producing animal other than a pet rabbit, in
the pets are not used or traded for commercial purposes in
poultry or fur-producing animal other than a pet rabbit, in any residential zone,
otherwise permitted elsewhere in the Kitimat Municipal Code.
ExceptionsThe limits count only dogs and cats apparently over 4 months old, so younger puppies and kittens are not counted. No kennel or licence exception is stated in the animal control rules.Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.5.1.1 (Cat, Dog); s. 5.5.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Cat shall mean any domesticated Animal of the feline species apparently over the
Dog shall mean any domesticated Animal of the canine species apparently over the
FineBylaw notice: $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days; $150 late) for too many dogs, cats, or dogs and cats combined, or for keeping prohibited animals. Municipal ticket: $1,000 ($500 if paid within 30 days).Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 5 and Part 9 tables; Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026, Schedules A and B, rows 82-84, 187 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Keeping excessive number of animals
5.5.7.3
Keeping prohibited animals
9.4.1.28
82 Keeping More Than Four (4) Dogs in a Residential Zone 5.5.7.1 $ 100.00 $ 50.00 $ 150.00
187 Keeping prohibited animals 9.4.1.28 $ 100.00 $ 50.00 $ 150.00
82 Keeping More Than Four (4) Dogs in a Residential Zone 5.5.7.1 $1,000.00 $500.00
187 Keeping prohibited animals 9.4.1.28 $1,000.00 $500.00
BylawKitimat Municipal Code, Part 5, Division 5 - Animal Control (Bylaw No. 2031, 2023), Subdivision 7; and Part 9, Division 4 - Residential ZoningKitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, Part 5 Div 5 Subdivision 7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Subdivision 7 - Number of Cats and Dogs

How it works

Part 5, Division 5 of the Kitimat Municipal Code limits pets on any dwelling in a residential zone at any one time: no more than 4 dogs, no more than 6 cats, and no more than 7 dogs and cats combined. Only dogs and cats apparently over 4 months old count, so young puppies and kittens are not counted.

Horses, mules, asses, cows, sheep, swine, reptiles, poultry and fur-producing animals (other than a pet rabbit) are not allowed in residential zones unless otherwise permitted. The exception is registered hens, covered in the backyard chickens answer.

Steps

  1. Count the dogs and cats over 4 months old at your dwelling.
  2. If you are over a limit, rehome or reduce before a complaint is made.
  3. Licence every dog (see the dog licence answer).

Good to know

  • The animal control rules state no exception for kennels, puppies or kittens.
  • Too many dogs, cats or both, or keeping a prohibited animal: a bylaw notice is $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days; $150 late); a municipal ticket is $1,000 ($500 if paid within 30 days).
  • Questions: Municipal Hall, 250-632-8900.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Terrace · Port Edward · Prince Rupert · Telkwa · Houston · New Hazelton

Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Council meeting agenda June 15, 2026 with Bylaw No. 2087, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)

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.