How many dogs or cats you can keep in Mission
How many dogs or cats can I keep?
Short answer
In Mission, the FVRD animal control bylaw allows no more than three dogs or three cats over four months old, and no more than 5 pets in total, on a property, unless zoning or other regulations permit more. Four or more dogs for show, training, boarding or breeding need a City kennel business licence.
Key facts
| Dogs allowed | No more than three dogs or three cats over the age of 4 months, and no more than 5 pets in total, on any property, except as zoning or other regulations permit.FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part D · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA person must not keep or allow to be kept on any real property more than a total of 5 pets consisting of not more than three dogs or not more than three cats over the age of 4 months |
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| Cats allowed | Three cats over the age of 4 months, within a total of 5 pets, unless zoning or other regulations permit more.FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part D · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingnot more than three dogs or not more than three cats over the age of 4 months |
| Other animal limits | Total of 5 pets per property. "Pet" means a common domesticated animal other than exotic animals, wildlife, livestock or poultry. Exotic animals in Schedule D are banned unless permitted by municipal regulation.FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part D; Part B (pet); Part I, s. 38 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga total of 5 pets any common domesticated animal other than exotic animals, wildlife, livestock or poultry No person shall possess or keep in any area, temporarily or permanently, any species individual or any exotic animal |
| Exceptions | Zoning or other regulations can permit more. In Mission a business licence is required for a Kennel (four or more dogs kept for show training, boarding or breeding, up to 50 per lot) or a Hobby Kennel (4 to 8 dogs, operator must live on the property).FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part D; Kennels and Animal Daycares · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingexcept as permitted pursuant to applicable zoning or other regulations A business licence for the Home Occupation is required for both a “Kennel” and a “Hobby Kennel”. means a facility or property where four or more dogs are kept for show training purposes, between four (4) and eight (8) dogs |
| Fine | $100 for excess pets (FVRD bylaw notice; $90 within 14 days, $110 after 28 days). For kennel licence holders with too many dogs (Kennel Bylaw 6198-2023): $250 bylaw notice ($175 early, $325 late), or $250 municipal ticket.FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A-3 Animal Control, Schedule A-3, s. D; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 5700-2018, Schedule 17, s. 4(e); Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993, Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993, Schedule 24 (Kennel Bylaw 6198-2023) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingD Excess Pets $100 $90 $110 Yes Too many dogs 4(e) $250 $175 $325 No Too many dogs 4(e) $250 |
| Bylaw | Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 (Part D, Pets); Mission Kennel Bylaw 6198-2023 for kennelsFVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part A; Kennels and Animal Daycares · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 Within the Kennel Bylaw 6198-2023 |
How it works
The FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 sets the limit for Mission: no more than three dogs or three cats over the age of four months, and no more than 5 pets in total, on any property, except as zoning or other regulations permit. "Pet" means a common domesticated animal other than exotic animals, wildlife, livestock or poultry. Exotic animals listed in Schedule D are banned unless municipal regulation permits them.
Steps
- Count dogs and cats over four months old: three or fewer of each, and 5 pets in total.
- To keep four or more dogs, check whether you need a kennel licence (below), and ask the City about zoning.
- Business Licencing handles kennel applications: 604-820-3791 or businesslicence@mission.ca.
Good to know
- A Kennel is four or more dogs kept for show, training, boarding or breeding, up to 50 per lot. A Hobby Kennel is 4 to 8 dogs, and the operator must live on the property. Both need a City business licence (Kennel Bylaw 6198-2023).
- Too many pets is a $100 FVRD bylaw notice ($90 within 14 days, $110 after 28 days).
- For a kennel licence holder with too many dogs: a $250 bylaw notice ($175 early, $325 late) or a $250 municipal ticket.
- Chickens and livestock are covered in a separate answer.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Abbotsford · Township of Langley · Maple Ridge · Langley City · Pitt Meadows · Chilliwack
Sources
- FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Kennels and Animal Daycares, City of Mission (read 2026-11-05)
- FVRD Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A-3 Animal Control (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 5700-2018 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Ticket Information Bylaw 2646-1993 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.