---
title: "Merritt dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence in Merritt, and what does it cost?"
place: Merritt, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/merritt
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Merritt
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/dog-licence.json"
---

# Merritt dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** In Merritt, a dog over three months old needs a City dog licence, bought at City Hall. The 2026 fee is $24 for a spayed or neutered dog and $80 for one that is not. The City's web page says six months; the bylaw says three, so confirm with the City.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Merritt, https://www.merritt.ca)  
**Cost:** 2026: $24 spayed or neutered; $80 not spayed or neutered; aggressive dog $350; dangerous dog $1,250; lost tag replacement $11.50. Licence fees are not refundable. Assistance dogs are free.  
**How long:** The bylaw says renew no later than 365 days after the licence was issued. The City's web page says licences run for the calendar year, January 1 to December 31. Confirm your renewal date with City Hall.  
**Where:**
- In person: Merritt City Hall, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. and on statutory holidays.)
- Phone: City Hall, 250-378-4224
- Email: City Hall, info@merritt.ca

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. No one may keep a dog over three months old unless it has a City dog licence and the fee is paid. Assistance dogs are licensed at no charge. (Sources differ: The City web page says dogs over six months; the bylaw (s. 15, as amended by Bylaw 2299, 2021) says over three months. Bylaw followed. Note s. 11 (dog limit) counts dogs over six months.)
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2241, 2018, consolidated to Bylaw 2425, 2026, s. 15, 22](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2241-Animal-Control-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person may keep, harbour or permit to be kept on a parcel of property any Dog over the age of three (3) months unless a Dog Licence has been issued" … "A Dog Licence and a Dog Licence tag will be provided at no charge to the owner of a registered Assistance Dog"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licencing](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "The City of Merritt’s Animal Control Bylaw mandates that all dogs over six months of age must be licenced"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The City of Merritt (or its designate), at City Hall.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2241, 2018, consolidated to Bylaw 2425, 2026, s. 3 definition of Dog Licence](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2241-Animal-Control-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "“Dog Licence” means a Licence issued by the City or their designate"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licencing](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "MUST be renewed annually at City Hall"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $24 a year (2026).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, Schedule M](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Neutered or Spayed Dog Licence Fee $24.00 $24.00 $25.00"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Pet licence fees 2026](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Neutered or Spayed dog | $24"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $80 a year (2026).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, Schedule M](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Intact Dog Licence Fee $80.00 $85.00 $90.00"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Pet licence fees 2026](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Un-neutered or Un-spayed dog | $80"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Lost tag replacement $11.50 (2026). No charge for a registered assistance dog. Licence fees are not refundable, and a licence or tag cannot be moved to another dog. Aggressive dog licence $350; dangerous dog licence $1,250 (2026).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, Schedule M](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Lost Tag Replacement $11.50 $12.00 $12.50" … "Aggressive Dog Licence Fee $350.00 $400.00 $450.00" … "Dangerous Dog Licence Fee $1,250.00 $1,500.00 $1,550.00"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2241, 2018, consolidated to Bylaw 2425, 2026, s. 15, 18, 22](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2241-Animal-Control-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog Licence fees are not refundable." … "A Dog Licence and Dog Licence tags are not transferable to another Dog." … "A Dog Licence and a Dog Licence tag will be provided at no charge to the owner of a registered Assistance Dog"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Renew no later than 365 days after the licence was issued, each year the dog is kept in Merritt. (Sources differ: The City web page says licences are valid for the calendar year (January 1 to December 31) and a new tag comes with every renewal; the bylaw (s. 16) says renew within 365 days of issue. Bylaw followed.)
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2241, 2018, consolidated to Bylaw 2425, 2026, s. 16](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2241-Animal-Control-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The owner of a Dog licenced under section 15 must renew that Licence no later than 365 days after it has been issued"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licencing](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Dog licences are only valid for the calendar year (January 1 to December 31) and MUST be renewed annually at City Hall."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** In person at City Hall, 2185 Voght Street. A first-time registration needs a veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered (if it is). A new tag is given with every renewal.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licencing](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "bring a valid Veterinarian’s Certificate as proof that your dog is spayed or neutered" … "A new dog tag will be provided with every renewal."
  - Source: [Contact, Directory](https://www.merritt.ca/contact/)
  - Official wording: "| Address: | City of Merritt 2185 Voght Street PO Box 189 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: $200 ($150 if paid within 14 days; $250 after 28 days). Failure to renew a licence: $100 ($75 early; $125 late).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2424, 2026, Schedule A, Schedule A, Animal Control Bylaw s. 15](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BNE-Bylaw-2424-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No dog licence 15 $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 No" … "Failure to renew dog licence 16 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 No"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Merritt Animal Control Bylaw No. 2241, 2018; fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, 2024 (Schedule M).
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2241, 2018, consolidated to Bylaw 2425, 2026, s. 1](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2241-Animal-Control-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw shall be cited as the “City of Merritt Animal Control Bylaw No. 2241, 2018”."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, Schedule M](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE M TO BYLAW 2386 ANIMAL CONTROL LICENCES, FEES AND CHARGES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the City of Merritt's [Animal Control Bylaw 2241](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2241-Animal-Control-CONSOLIDATED.pdf), no one may keep a dog over three months old in the City unless it has a City licence and the fee is paid. The City's dog licence page says six months instead. The bylaw is the legal rule, so licence a dog from three months and confirm with City Hall if you are unsure.

## Steps

1. Go to City Hall at 2185 Voght Street. The City's page names City Hall only and does not mention an online or mail option.
2. If you are registering a dog for the first time, bring a veterinarian's certificate showing whether the dog is spayed or neutered.
3. Pay the fee: $24 if spayed or neutered, $80 if not (2026 rates).
4. Fasten the tag to a collar or harness the dog wears at all times, except when the dog is penned or enclosed on your own land or premises.

## Good to know

- Renewal: the bylaw says renew no later than 365 days after the licence was issued. The City's page says licences are valid for the calendar year and that a new tag comes with every renewal. Ask City Hall which date applies to you.
- A licence and tag cannot be moved to another dog, and licence fees are not refundable.
- If you move within Merritt, tell the City promptly.
- A lost tag costs $11.50 to replace.
- A registered assistance dog for a person who is blind or disabled gets a licence and tag free, with documentation shown at City Hall.
- Aggressive and dangerous dogs cost more and have extra rules. See the answer on dangerous dogs.
- The City's fee schedule lists no senior, early-payment or late fees.
- Failing to licence a dog is a $200 bylaw notice ($150 if paid within 14 days, $250 after 28 days). Failing to renew is $100 ($75 within 14 days, $125 after 28 days).

## What you'll need

- A veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered (for a dog new to the City's records)
- Documentation for an assistance dog, to get the licence and tag at no charge

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Licences, City of Merritt](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/dog-licences/)
- [Animal Control Bylaw 2241 (PDF)](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2241-Animal-Control-CONSOLIDATED.pdf)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Merritt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/how-many-pets.md)
- [Merritt dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Merritt rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/dangerous-dogs.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Logan Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/logan-lake/dog-licence.md)
- [Kamloops](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/dog-licence.md)
- [Princeton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/dog-licence.md)
- [Ashcroft](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/dog-licence.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/dog-licence.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Dog Licences, City of Merritt](https://www.merritt.ca/residents/dog-licences/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Contact, City of Merritt](https://www.merritt.ca/contact/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2241, 2018 (PDF), consolidated to Bylaw 2425, 2026, City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2241-Animal-Control-CONSOLIDATED.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386 (PDF), Schedule M, City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Fees-and-Charges-Amendments-as-at-December-2025-CONSOLIDATED.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2424, 2026 (PDF), Schedule A, City of Merritt](http://www.merritt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BNE-Bylaw-2424-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Merritt. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/dog-licence/_