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Ladysmith dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

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

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.

Key facts

Licence requiredYes. All dogs in Ladysmith over 6 months of age must be licensed. The tag must always be on the dog's collar.Dog Licences, Dog Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
All dogs in Ladysmith over 6 months of age must be licensed.
which must be always be attached to their collar
Issued byThe 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.Bylaws and Bylaw Compliance, Bylaws page, Other service providers · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
dog licence tags are issued by the Town
Animal Control issues are handled by Coastal Animal Control Services
Fee, spayed or neutered$31 if bought December 1 to January 31 (renewal discount period); $41 from February 1 to December 31.Dog Licences, Dog Licence Fees table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Renewals are discounted until January 31.
December 1 – January 31 | $31 | $49
February 1 – December 31 | $41 | $59
Fee, not spayed or neutered$49 if bought December 1 to January 31 (renewal discount period); $59 from February 1 to December 31.Dog Licences, Dog Licence Fees table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Renewals are discounted until January 31.
December 1 – January 31 | $31 | $49
February 1 – December 31 | $41 | $59
Other fees and discountsReplacement tag $5. No charge for an assistance dog, but it must still have a licence and tag. Renewal discount applies until January 31.Dog Licences, Lost tag?; Dog FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
you can buy a replacement for $5.00 at City Hall
There is no charge if your dog is an assistance dog, but you must have a licence and tag for it.
RenewalLicences 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.Dog Licences, Dog Licence Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Licences for the upcoming year are available for renewal starting December 1.
February 1 – December 31
How to get oneBuy 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).Dog Licences, Licensing Your Dog · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Annual dog licences can be purchased at:
City Hall – 410 Esplanade (during regular office hours)
Frank Jameson Community Centre – 810 6th Avenue
Fine, unlicensed dogNot confirmed. The Town's new Animal Responsibility Bylaw text is not readable online.
BylawAnimal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238Dog Licences, Licensing Your Dog · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238

How it works

The Town of Ladysmith licenses dogs under its dog bylaw, the Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238. 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

The same question in other places

North Cowichan · Duncan · Lake Cowichan · Nanaimo · North Saanich · Sidney

Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Dog Licences, Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Dog FAQ, Town of Ladysmith (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Bylaws and Bylaw Compliance, Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238 (PDF, scanned, no readable text) (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. How answers are checked.