---
title: "Lions Bay dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence in Lions Bay, and what does it cost?"
place: Lions Bay, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/lions-bay
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: Village of Lions Bay
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/dog-licence.json"
---

# Lions Bay dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** In Lions Bay, the Village itself sells dog licences at the Village Office. Every dog over 24 weeks old needs one each year. A spayed or neutered dog costs $30 and a dog that is not costs $60 if paid before February 28; the fee is higher after that.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Lions Bay, https://www.lionsbay.ca)  
**Cost:** Spayed or neutered $30; not spayed or neutered $60 (paid before February 28, or within 30 days of becoming a new resident or getting a new dog). After that: $45 and $90. Replacement tag $10. Fees are non-refundable. No licence: $85 bylaw notice.  
**How long:** A licence expires December 31 of the year it was issued. The fee is due January 1.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 400 Centre Road, Lions Bay, BC V0N 2E0 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Phone: Village Office, 604-921-9333

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. No one may keep a dog over 24 weeks old in the Village without a licence for the current year. Not needed for a dog kept in the Village less than one month in a calendar year that holds a valid licence from another jurisdiction. Guide animals under the BC Guide Animal Act are exempt from licence fees. (Sources differ: Conflict: the Village's Forms & Applications page says licences are required for dogs 'over the age of 6 months'; the bylaw says over 24 weeks. The bylaw is followed. The bylaw consolidation was posted in 2022 and lists amendments only to 2016.)
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014, s. 5.1, 5.2, 11.1(b)](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2022-01/bylaw_461_-_animal_control_licencing_consolidation_1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall keep any dog over the age of 24 weeks in the Village unless a valid and subsisting" … "licence for the current year has first been obtained for the dog under this" … "Section 5 does not apply to a dog that is kept in the Village for less than one month in a calendar year" … "used as a guide animal pursuant to the BC Guide Animal Act is exempt from the licensing fees"
  - Source: [Forms & Applications, Dog License Application Form entry](https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/administration/forms-applications)
  - Official wording: "for all dogs over the age of 6 months"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Issued by:** The Village of Lions Bay itself, at the Village Office.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014, s. 5.3](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2022-01/bylaw_461_-_animal_control_licencing_consolidation_1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Village shall issue a numbered licence tag to the applicant."
  - Source: [Forms & Applications, Dog License Application Form entry](https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/administration/forms-applications)
  - Official wording: "Dog licenses are available from the Village Office."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $30 a year if paid before February 28 or within 30 days of becoming a new resident or getting a new dog; $45 after that. A veterinarian's certificate is needed to show the dog is spayed or neutered.
  - Source: [Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016, consolidated to Bylaw 665, Schedule 4](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-06/Bylaw%20497%20-%20Fees%20%28Consolidation%20BL665%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Annual license for altered dog" … "$30 if paid before February 28th or within 30 days of" … "$45 thereafter"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014, s. 5.10](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2022-01/bylaw_461_-_animal_control_licencing_consolidation_1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the licence application for the dog shall be accompanied by a certificate from a qualified"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $60 a year if paid before February 28 or within 30 days of becoming a new resident or getting a new dog; $90 after that.
  - Source: [Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016, consolidated to Bylaw 665, Schedule 4](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-06/Bylaw%20497%20-%20Fees%20%28Consolidation%20BL665%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Annual license for unaltered dog" … "$60 if paid before February 28th or within 30 days of" … "$90 thereafter"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Other fees and discounts:** Replacement tag $10. All fees are non-refundable. If a dog is spayed or neutered after the higher fee was paid, a partial rebate is allowed with a veterinarian's certificate. On a change of ownership the tag expires after 7 days and the new owner needs a new licence.
  - Source: [Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016, consolidated to Bylaw 665, Schedule 4](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-06/Bylaw%20497%20-%20Fees%20%28Consolidation%20BL665%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "becoming a new resident or obtaining a new dog $90 thereafter Tag replacement $10 [Amended by Bylaw No. 567] [Amended by Bylaw No. 647]"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014, s. 5.8, 5.11, 5.12](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2022-01/bylaw_461_-_animal_control_licencing_consolidation_1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "All fees payable are non-refundable." … "be granted a rebate of part of the fee, as defined in the" … "the licence tag shall expire on the seventh day following the change in"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Renewal:** Licences expire on December 31 of the year they are issued. The fee is due January 1 each year; the lower rate applies to payment before February 28.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014, s. 5.4](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2022-01/bylaw_461_-_animal_control_licencing_consolidation_1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every dog licence issued under this Bylaw shall expire on the 31st day of December in"
  - Source: [Forms & Applications, Dog License Application Form entry](https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/administration/forms-applications)
  - Official wording: "The license fee is due January 1st of each year and is valid for that calendar year."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to get one:** In person at the Village Office, with the dog licence application form. The Village takes cash, cheque or debit only, no credit cards.
  - Source: [Forms & Applications, Dog License Application Form entry; intro](https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/administration/forms-applications)
  - Official wording: "Dog licenses are available from the Village Office." … "To pay for permits, licenses, and passes you will need to visit the office and pay by cash, cheque, or debit." … "The Village does not accept credit cards."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: no dog licence $85 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $95 if paid after 28 days). No dog tag on the dog: $40 ($30 early, $50 late).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 385, 2006, Schedule A, Schedule A, Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 461](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-06/Bylaw%20385%20-Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20%28Consolidation%20640%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No dog license $85 $75 $95" … "No dog tag $40 $30 $50"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No 461, 2014; fees are set in Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016, Schedule 4.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014, s. 1.1](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2022-01/bylaw_461_-_animal_control_licencing_consolidation_1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No 461, 2014”"
  - Source: [Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016, consolidated to Bylaw 665, Schedule 4](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-06/Bylaw%20497%20-%20Fees%20%28Consolidation%20BL665%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE 4 – ANIMAL CONTROL & LICENCING"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The Village of Lions Bay issues its own dog licences under its [Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461](<https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2022-01/bylaw_461_-_animal_control_licencing_consolidation_1.pdf>). No one may keep a dog over 24 weeks old in the Village without a licence for the current year. A dog that is in the Village for less than one month in a calendar year, and has a valid licence from somewhere else, does not need one. Guide animals under the BC Guide Animal Act are exempt from licence fees.

## Steps

1. Fill in the dog licence application form from the Village's [Forms & Applications](<https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/administration/forms-applications>) page.
2. Take it to the Village Office, 400 Centre Road, and pay. The Village takes cash, cheque or debit only, no credit cards.
3. For the spayed or neutered fee, bring a veterinarian's certificate.

## Good to know

- The lower fees are $30 and $60. After February 28 they are $45 and $90. A new resident or a new dog gets the lower rate if paid within 30 days. The amounts are in Schedule 4 of the [Fees Bylaw](<https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-06/Bylaw%20497%20-%20Fees%20%28Consolidation%20BL665%29.pdf>).
- A replacement tag is $10. Fees are not refundable, but if a dog is spayed or neutered after you paid the higher fee, a partial rebate is allowed with a veterinarian's certificate. The bylaw and fee schedule do not say how much.
- When a dog changes owners, the tag expires after 7 days and the new owner needs a new licence.
- Bylaw notice fines under the [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw](<https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-06/Bylaw%20385%20-Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20%28Consolidation%20640%29.pdf>): no licence is $85 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $95 after 28 days). No tag on the dog is $40 ($30 early, $50 late).
- The forms page says "over the age of 6 months" while the bylaw says over 24 weeks. The bylaw is followed, so confirm with the Village Office if your dog is close to that age.

## Official forms and pages

- [Forms & Applications, Village of Lions Bay](https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/administration/forms-applications)
- [Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014 (PDF), Village of Lions Bay](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2022-01/bylaw_461_-_animal_control_licencing_consolidation_1.pdf)
- [Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016, consolidated to Bylaw 665 (PDF), Village of Lions Bay](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-06/Bylaw%20497%20-%20Fees%20%28Consolidation%20BL665%29.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Lions Bay dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/how-many-pets.md)
- [Lions Bay rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/dangerous-dogs.md)
- [Lions Bay bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/dog-licence.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/dog-licence.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/dog-licence.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/dog-licence.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/dog-licence.md)
- [Squamish](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Forms & Applications, Village of Lions Bay](https://www.lionsbay.ca/services/administration/forms-applications) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 461, 2014 (PDF), Village of Lions Bay](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2022-01/bylaw_461_-_animal_control_licencing_consolidation_1.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees Bylaw No. 497, 2016, consolidated to Bylaw 665 (PDF), Village of Lions Bay](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-06/Bylaw%20497%20-%20Fees%20%28Consolidation%20BL665%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 385, 2006, Schedule A (PDF), Village of Lions Bay](https://www.lionsbay.ca/sites/2/files/2026-06/Bylaw%20385%20-Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%20%28Consolidation%20640%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 9 of 9 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Village of Lions Bay. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/dog-licence/_