{"title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Lake Country","question":"How many dogs or cats can I keep in Lake Country?","slug":"how-many-pets","place":{"path":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"shared","owner_label":"More than one level of government","owner_body":null,"short_answer":"In Lake Country you may keep no more than 3 dogs over 3 months old in a house or dwelling unit, unless you run a licensed hobby or service kennel, vet clinic or similar business. No limit on cats or other pets was found in the bylaws read.","aliases":["pet limit lake country","how many dogs can I have lake country","how many cats lake country","kennel permit lake country"],"cost":"Hobby or service kennel permit $125. Fine for exceeding the dog limit: bylaw notice $100; municipal ticket $100.","how_long":"Not applicable.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"RDCO Dog Control","value":"250-469-6284"},{"type":"phone","label":"District of Lake Country Bylaw Services","value":"250-766-6673"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF)","url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Lake Country dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Lake Country dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"backyard-chickens","title":"Lake Country backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-chickens/"},{"slug":"dangerous-dogs","title":"Lake Country rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dangerous-dogs/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/west-kelowna","name":"West Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/how-many-pets/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/how-many-pets/"},"facts":{"dog_limit":{"label":"Dogs allowed","value":"No more than 3 dogs over 3 months old in a house or dwelling unit, unless the person runs a licensed hobby or service kennel, vet clinic or similar business.","short":"Max 3 dogs","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"s. 14","quotes":["No person shall keep, harbour, or have in possession more than 3 dogs over the age of","except as provided","for persons operating a Hobby Kennel, Service Kennel, veterinary clinic, or other dog"]},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-licences/","title":"Dog Licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"Dog licences page","quotes":["Maximum of three dogs allowed per single family dwelling."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"cat_limit":{"label":"Cats allowed","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","sources":[]},"other_limits":{"label":"Other animal limits","value":"Livestock and poultry may not be kept on a lot in an urban residential zone, except backyard chickens (5 hens) in permitted zones. Animals, poultry and birds must be kept or contained on the owner's land (Bylaw 97-135). No limit on cats, rabbits or other pets was found.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated","title":"Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 5.3.7","quotes":["keep, store, or board livestock or poultry on a lot in an urban residential","zone except for Backyard Chickens in permitted zones."]},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/animal-bird-and-poultry-regulation-bylaw-97-235-consolidated","title":"Animal, Bird and Poultry Regulation Bylaw 97-135 (consolidated), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 2(a)","quotes":["Animals, poultry and other birds shall be kept or contained on the owner’s lands."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exceptions":{"label":"Exceptions","value":"Guide and service dogs living with the person they assist do not count. Hobby kennel permit allows 4 to 20 dogs (4 on 0.25-1 ha, 8 on 1-4 ha, 20 over 4 ha) where zoning allows kennels. Dogs under 3 months are not counted.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"s. 15, 42","quotes":["Any dog registered under the Guide Animal Act and resides with a person for whom the","On properties with a lot area of 0.25 hectares to 1 hectare, a maximum of 4","On properties with a lot area greater than 4 hectares, a maximum of 20 dogs"]},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-licences/","title":"Dog Licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"Kennel licence fees","quotes":["A house or property where 4 to 20 dogs over the age of three months are kept."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw Notice $100 (early-payment column 25.00, late 25.00); Municipal ticket $100.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/vovoh2ok/bl1538-bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-consolidated.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1538 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"Schedule A, Appendix 1","quotes":["Keep more than 3 dogs 14 100.00 25.00 25.00 Y"]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/fknipfoc/bl1537-ticket-information-and-utilization-consolidated.pdf","title":"Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"Schedule B, Appendix 1","quotes":["Keep more than 3 dogs 14 100.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Regional District of Central Okanagan Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (RDCO Dog Control covers Lake Country).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"s. 2 (citation)","quotes":["Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014"]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"Preamble","quotes":["District of Lake Country"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) sets the dog limit for Lake Country in its [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw 1343](<https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf>). The District's own bylaws cover other animals. None of the bylaws read sets a limit on cats, rabbits or birds.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Count dogs over 3 months old in your house or dwelling unit. Three is the most allowed.\n2. To keep more, you need a hobby kennel permit (4 to 20 dogs) where zoning allows kennels: 4 dogs on 0.25 to 1 ha, 8 on 1 to 4 ha, and 20 on more than 4 ha.\n3. Ask RDCO Dog Control at 250-469-6284 about the permit.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Dogs under 3 months old are not counted. Guide and service dogs living with the person they assist do not count either.\n- Livestock and poultry may not be kept on a lot in an urban residential zone, except backyard chickens (5 hens) in permitted zones. See the backyard chickens answer.\n- The District's animal bylaw says animals, poultry and birds must be kept or contained on the owner's land.\n- The bylaw notice for exceeding the dog limit is $100, and so is the municipal ticket. Every dog needs a licence; see the dog licence answer.","sources":[{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf","title":"Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-licences/","title":"Dog Licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-561-2007-consolidated","title":"Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), District of Lake Country","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/animal-bird-and-poultry-regulation-bylaw-97-235-consolidated","title":"Animal, Bird and Poultry Regulation Bylaw 97-135 (consolidated), District of Lake Country","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/fknipfoc/bl1537-ticket-information-and-utilization-consolidated.pdf","title":"Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/vovoh2ok/bl1538-bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-consolidated.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1538 (consolidated PDF), Regional District of Central Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/how-many-pets/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/how-many-pets.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/how-many-pets.json"}}