---
title: "Ladysmith dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?"
place: Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/ladysmith
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Ladysmith
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dog-licence.json"
---

# Ladysmith dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** In Ladysmith, every dog over 6 months old must be licensed, with the tag on its collar. The fee for a spayed or neutered dog is $31 from December 1 to January 31 and $41 from February 1 to December 31. For a dog that is not, it is $49 and $59. You buy the tag in person.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Ladysmith, https://www.ladysmith.ca)  
**Cost:** Spayed or neutered: $31 (December 1 to January 31), $41 (February 1 to December 31). Not spayed or neutered: $49 (December 1 to January 31), $59 (February 1 to December 31). Replacement tag $5. No charge for an assistance dog, which still needs a licence and tag.  
**How long:** Licences for the upcoming year can be renewed from December 1, at the lower fee until January 31. The Town's page does not state an expiry date in words.  
**Where:**
- In person: Town Hall (also sells tags), 410 Esplanade, Ladysmith, BC V9G 1A2 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- In person: Frank Jameson Community Centre, 810 6th Avenue
- In person: For Pet's Sake Pet Store, 416 1st Avenue
- Phone: Town Hall, 250-245-6400

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. All dogs in Ladysmith over 6 months of age must be licensed. The tag must always be on the dog's collar.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page](https://www.ladysmith.ca/our-services/pets-animals/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "All dogs in Ladysmith over 6 months of age must be licensed." … "which must be always be attached to their collar"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The Town of Ladysmith issues the tags (sold at City Hall, Frank Jameson Community Centre and For Pet's Sake Pet Store). Animal control itself is run by Coastal Animal Control Services.
  - Source: [Bylaws and Bylaw Compliance, Bylaws page, Other service providers](https://www.ladysmith.ca/city-hall/city-departments/bylaws)
  - Official wording: "dog licence tags are issued by the Town" … "Animal Control issues are handled by Coastal Animal Control Services"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $31 if bought December 1 to January 31 (renewal discount period); $41 from February 1 to December 31.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licence Fees table](https://www.ladysmith.ca/our-services/pets-animals/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "Renewals are discounted until January 31." … "December 1 – January 31 | $31 | $49" … "February 1 – December 31 | $41 | $59"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $49 if bought December 1 to January 31 (renewal discount period); $59 from February 1 to December 31.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licence Fees table](https://www.ladysmith.ca/our-services/pets-animals/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "Renewals are discounted until January 31." … "December 1 – January 31 | $31 | $49" … "February 1 – December 31 | $41 | $59"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Replacement tag $5. No charge for an assistance dog, but it must still have a licence and tag. Renewal discount applies until January 31.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Lost tag?](https://www.ladysmith.ca/our-services/pets-animals/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "you can buy a replacement for $5.00 at City Hall"
  - Source: [Dog FAQ](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/brochures-other-publications-2021/dog-faq.pdf)
  - Official wording: "There is no charge if your dog is an assistance dog, but you must have a licence and tag for it."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences for the upcoming year can be renewed from December 1, at the discounted fee until January 31. The Town's fee table runs to December 31.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licence Fees](https://www.ladysmith.ca/our-services/pets-animals/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "Licences for the upcoming year are available for renewal starting December 1." … "February 1 – December 31"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** Buy in person at City Hall (410 Esplanade, regular office hours), Frank Jameson Community Centre (810 6th Avenue) or For Pet's Sake Pet Store (416 1st Avenue).
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Licensing Your Dog](https://www.ladysmith.ca/our-services/pets-animals/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "Annual dog licences can be purchased at:" … "City Hall – 410 Esplanade (during regular office hours)" … "Frank Jameson Community Centre – 810 6th Avenue"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Not confirmed. The Town's new Animal Responsibility Bylaw text is not readable online.
- **Bylaw:** Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Licensing Your Dog](https://www.ladysmith.ca/our-services/pets-animals/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The Town of Ladysmith licenses dogs under its dog bylaw, the [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238](<https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2238-animal-responsibility-bylaw-2026_redacted.pdf>). Every dog over 6 months old in Ladysmith must have a licence, and the tag must be on the dog's collar at all times. Animal control itself is run for the Town by Coastal Animal Control Services.

## Steps

1. Pick the fee that applies to your dog (spayed or neutered, or not) from the cost above.
2. Buy the tag in person at Town Hall (410 Esplanade), the Frank Jameson Community Centre (810 6th Avenue) or For Pet's Sake Pet Store (416 1st Avenue).
3. Put the tag on your dog's collar.
4. To renew, buy the next year's licence from December 1. The lower fee applies until January 31.

## Good to know

- The Town's page names no online or mail option, so plan to go in person.
- A replacement tag is $5.
- An assistance dog is free but still needs a licence and tag.
- The Town's page does not state a late fee, transfer fee or seniors discount.
- The fine for an unlicensed dog is not stated in any text we could read. The new bylaw's text isn't readable online, so ask the Town at 250-245-6400. The 2021 ticket schedule lists dog fines under the old dog bylaw, and those should not be taken as current.
- The Town's older dog FAQ says dangerous and restricted dog rules use four months of age; the licence page says 6 months. Ask the Town if your puppy is close to that age.

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Licences, Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/our-services/pets-animals/dog-licences)
- [Dog FAQ, Town of Ladysmith (PDF)](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/brochures-other-publications-2021/dog-faq.pdf)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238 (PDF, scanned, no readable text)](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2238-animal-responsibility-bylaw-2026_redacted.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Ladysmith dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Ladysmith rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Ladysmith bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [North Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dog-licence.md)
- [Duncan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/dog-licence.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/dog-licence.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/dog-licence.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/dog-licence.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Dog Licences, Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/our-services/pets-animals/dog-licences) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Dog FAQ, Town of Ladysmith (PDF)](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/brochures-other-publications-2021/dog-faq.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaws and Bylaw Compliance, Town of Ladysmith](https://www.ladysmith.ca/city-hall/city-departments/bylaws) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238 (PDF, scanned, no readable text)](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2238-animal-responsibility-bylaw-2026_redacted.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 9 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Town of Ladysmith. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dog-licence/_