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

# Metchosin dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** In Metchosin, every dog over four months old needs a licence. The Capital Regional District (CRD) runs licensing for the District. The District bylaw sets the fee at $25 a year for a spayed or neutered dog and $45 for one that is not. You can buy a new tag at Municipal Hall.

**Who handles it:** Regional district (Capital Regional District, https://www.crd.ca)  
**Cost:** District bylaw: $25 spayed or neutered; $45 not. Replacement of a lost licence $5. Late application penalty $10 if not paid by March 31. The CRD page lists higher fees ($40 and $60), so you may be invoiced at CRD rates. Ticket for no licence: $100, or $150 after 30 days.  
**How long:** Licences run January 1 to December 31. Fees are due on or before March 1 each year, or when the dog turns four months old.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Hall (new and replacement tags), 4450 Happy Valley Road, Victoria, BC V9C 3Z3 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Phone: CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services (renewals), 250-478-0624
- Email: CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services, animalservices@crd.bc.ca
- In person: CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services office, 212-2780 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Langford

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every dog over four months old must be licensed. Guide dogs, service dogs and certified police dogs need a licence but pay no fee.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, s. 5](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/282/)
  - Official wording: "No person shall keep or have in their possession within the Municipality any dog over the age of four (4) months unless a dog licence under this bylaw has been"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, s. 14](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/282/)
  - Official wording: "A dog licence is required, but no licence fee shall be charged for Guide Dogs, Service Dogs, and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services (Capital Regional District) runs licensing for Metchosin. New and replacement tags can also be bought at Metchosin Municipal Hall.
  - Source: [Animal Regulation, Animal Regulation page](https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/animal-regulation)
  - Official wording: "Metchosin uses CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services for licensing administration and for animal control services." … "Metchosin Municipal Hall"
  - Source: [Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District, Where to Get a Licence](https://www.crd.ca/programs-services/animals-pets/licensing-dogs)
  - Official wording: "District of Metchosin: 4450 Happy Valley Rd, Metchosin"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $25 a year for a spayed female or neutered male dog (Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 696, Schedule 2; also Animal Control Bylaw 692 Schedule A). The CRD page lists $40 regular ($35 if renewed before December 31, $60 after March 1). (Sources differ: CONFLICT: Bylaw 692 Schedule A (adopted Nov 2023) says $25; the CRD licensing page (fees in effect as of June 11, 2025, covering all municipalities it licenses for) says $40 regular. Value follows the bylaw. Bylaw s. 11 also gives one free licence for a dog neutered or spayed in the 12 months before applying, with a vet certificate.)
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, Schedule A](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/282/)
  - Official wording: "Female dog (spayed) $ 25.00" … "Male dog (neutered) $ 25.00"
  - Source: [Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District, Licensing Fees](https://www.crd.ca/programs-services/animals-pets/licensing-dogs)
  - Official wording: "| Spayed/neutered (altered) | $35 | $40 | $60"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024, No. 696, Fees and Charges Bylaw 696, s. 3 and Schedule 2](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/8/)
  - Official wording: "Wherever this Bylaw sets out fees and charges with respect to other District of Metchosin Bylaws" … "Female dog (spayed) $25.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $45 a year for a female not spayed or male not neutered (Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 696, Schedule 2; also Animal Control Bylaw 692 Schedule A). The CRD page lists $60 regular ($55 if renewed before December 31, $80 after March 1). (Sources differ: CONFLICT: bylaw $45 vs CRD page $60 regular. Value follows the bylaw.)
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, Schedule A](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/282/)
  - Official wording: "Female dog (not spayed) $ 45.00" … "Male dog (not neutered) $ 45.00"
  - Source: [Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District, Licensing Fees](https://www.crd.ca/programs-services/animals-pets/licensing-dogs)
  - Official wording: "| Unspayed/unneutered (unaltered) | $55 | $60 | $80"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024, No. 696, Fees and Charges Bylaw 696, s. 3 and Schedule 2](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/8/)
  - Official wording: "Wherever this Bylaw sets out fees and charges with respect to other District of Metchosin Bylaws" … "Male dog (not neutere_d) $45.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Replacement of a lost licence $5; late application penalty $10 if not paid by March 31 (Fees and Charges Bylaw 696, Schedule 2; Bylaw 692 s. 9). No transfer fee is listed. One free licence for a dog spayed or neutered in the past 12 months, with a vet certificate (s. 11). No senior discount found. The CRD page lists an early-renewal discount before December 31 and late fees after March 1.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, s. 9 and Schedule A](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/282/)
  - Official wording: "If the appropriate dog licence fee has not been paid by March 31 of the licensing year, the owner" … "Late Application Penalty $ 10.00" … "Replacement of lost licence" … "Aggressive Dog Licence $75.00" … "Dangerous Dog Licence $100.00"
  - Source: [Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District, Licensing Fees](https://www.crd.ca/programs-services/animals-pets/licensing-dogs)
  - Official wording: "Replacement tags are $5 each."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024, No. 696, Fees and Charges Bylaw 696, Schedule 2](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/8/)
  - Official wording: "Replacementof lost licence $5.00" … "Late applicationpenalty $10.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences run January 1 to December 31. Fees are due on or before March 1 each year (or when the dog turns four months old).
  - Source: [Animal Regulation, Dog Licenses](https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/animal-regulation)
  - Official wording: "Licenses are valid from January 1 to December 31."
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, s. 8](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/282/)
  - Official wording: "become due on or before March 1 in each year, or as soon thereafter as the dog in respect of which the dog licence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** Buy a new or replacement tag at Metchosin Municipal Hall, 4450 Happy Valley Road. Renewals are paid directly to CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services: online banking, phone 250-478-0624, email animalservices@crd.bc.ca, or in person at 212-2780 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Langford.
  - Source: [Animal Regulation, Dog Licenses](https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/animal-regulation)
  - Official wording: "All dog licence renewals must be paid direct through the CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services." … "4450 Happy Valley Road"
  - Source: [Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District, Where to Get a Licence](https://www.crd.ca/programs-services/animals-pets/licensing-dogs)
  - Official wording: "By phone (250.478.0624 or 1.800.665.7899 extension 0) with a credit card" … "By email at animalservices@crd.bc.ca" … "At the CRD Animal Care office, 212-2780 Veterans Memorial Parkway" … "For purchasing new or replacement tags only, go to:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Municipal ticket (Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 475, Schedule 5): $100 if paid within 30 days of being served, $150 after that.
  - Source: [Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 2004, No. 475, Schedule 5](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/912/)
  - Official wording: "1. No Dog licence 5 $100 $150"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** District of Metchosin Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692 (licence rules); fees are in the Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024, No. 696, Schedule 2.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, s. 1](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/282/)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as the District of Metchosin Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024, No. 696, s. 1](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/8/)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as the District of Metchosin Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024, N0. 696."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the District's [Animal Control Bylaw No. 692](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/282/), every dog over four months old in Metchosin must be licensed. Guide dogs, service dogs and certified police dogs need a licence but pay no fee. CRD Bylaw and Animal Care Services runs licensing for Metchosin.

## Steps

1. New or replacement tag: buy it at Municipal Hall, 4450 Happy Valley Road.
2. Renewal: pay the CRD directly, by online banking, by phone at 250-478-0624, by email at animalservices@crd.bc.ca, or in person in Langford.
3. For a free first licence, bring a veterinarian's certificate showing the dog was spayed or neutered in the 12 months before you apply.

## Good to know

- The fees above are in the District's [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 696](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/8/). The CRD page lists $40 (spayed or neutered) and $60 (not), with early-renewal discounts and late fees, so you may be invoiced at the CRD rates. Confirm with the CRD.
- No senior discount was found.
- A municipal ticket for an unlicensed dog is $100 if paid within 30 days of being served and $150 after that.
- Disputes go to Provincial Court; see the bylaw fines answer.

## What you'll need

- Veterinarian's certificate, if the dog was spayed or neutered in the past 12 months

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 692](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/282/)
- [Licensing Dogs (CRD)](https://www.crd.ca/programs-services/animals-pets/licensing-dogs)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/dog-licence.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/dog-licence.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/dog-licence.md)
- [Sooke](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sooke/dog-licence.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/dog-licence.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Regulation, District of Metchosin](https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/animal-regulation) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Licensing Dogs, Capital Regional District](https://www.crd.ca/programs-services/animals-pets/licensing-dogs) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Animal Control Bylaw 2023, No. 692, District of Metchosin](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/282/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2024, No. 696, District of Metchosin](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/8/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 2004, No. 475, District of Metchosin](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/912/) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Capital Regional District. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/dog-licence/_