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

# Nanaimo dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** Every dog over 16 weeks old in the City of Nanaimo needs a City licence each calendar year. The fee is $25 for a spayed or neutered dog and $50 for one that is not, if paid by February 28; it rises to $30 and $60 after that. Apply online or in person.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Nanaimo, https://www.nanaimo.ca)  
**Cost:** Paid by February 28: $25 spayed or neutered, $50 not. After February 28: $30 and $60. Replacement tag $5; licence transfer $5. No charge for a certified guide or service dog or an R.C.M.P. service dog. Fees are non-refundable.  
**How long:** Licences expire December 31 each year. Tags are perpetual. If you pay online a tag is mailed after payment; in person you get it right away.  
**Where:**
- Online: Apply for a new dog licence or renew online, https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences
- In person: Service and Resource Centre, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 0E4
- In person: Nanaimo Animal Control Services, 1260 Nanaimo Lakes Road, Nanaimo
- By mail: Mail a cheque to City Hall (renewals), 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5J6
- Phone: Dog Licensing, 250-755-4525
- Email: Dog Licensing, dog.lic@nanaimo.ca

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Anyone who owns, possesses or harbours a dog over 16 weeks old must hold a dog licence, obtained before January 1 each year. (Sources differ: City web pages (Dog Licences, Renewals) and the animal brochure say "over the age of 4 months"; the bylaw says over 16 weeks (the bylaw defines an Unlicensed Dog as one over 16 weeks). Bylaw followed.)
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, ss. 16-17](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Person shall own, possess or harbour an Unlicensed Dog within the boundaries of the City." … "A Person who owns, possesses or harbours any Dog over the age of 16 weeks shall obtain a Dog Licence before the first day of January each year"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, web page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "All dogs over the age of 4 months living in the City must be licensed."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The City of Nanaimo (Revenue Services, with Nanaimo Animal Control).
  - Source: [Dog Licences, web page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "Contact Revenue Services or Nanaimo Animal Control for information regarding your dog licence" … "Dog Licensing 250-755-4525"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $25 a year if paid by February 28; $30 if paid after February 28.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336, Schedule A, Schedule A, Dog Licence Fees](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Description February February 28th 28th Sterilized $25.00 $30.00 Unsterilized $50.00 $60.00 Dog Deemed Aggressive $75.00 $90.00 Replacement Licence Tag $5.00 $5.00"
  - Source: [Dog Licence Fees, web page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/dog-licence-fees)
  - Official wording: "Spayed/Neutered Dog | $25.00 | $30.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $50 a year if paid by February 28; $60 if paid after February 28.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336, Schedule A, Schedule A, Dog Licence Fees](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf)
  - Official wording: "28th 28th Sterilized $25.00 $30.00 Unsterilized $50.00 $60.00 Dog Deemed Aggressive $75.00 $90.00 Replacement Licence Tag $5.00 $5.00"
  - Source: [Dog Licence Fees, web page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/dog-licence-fees)
  - Official wording: "Not Spayed/Neutered | $50.00 | $60.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Early-payment rate applies if paid by February 28. Replacement tag $5; licence transfer $5. No charge for a certified guide or service dog or an R.C.M.P. service dog. No seniors discount found. Fees are non-refundable.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336, Schedule A, Schedule A, Dog Licence Fees](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Replacement Licence Tag $5.00 $5.00" … "Licence Transfer Fee $5.00 $5.00" … "A Guide Dog or Service Dog certified under the Guide Dog and" … "A Dog owned and utilized as an R.C.M.P. Service Dog No Charge" … "Fees paid for Dog Licenses are non-refundable."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences expire December 31 each year. Renewal notices are mailed in late January; renew by February 28 to get the lower rate.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 18](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "expires on the 31st day of December of the year in which it is issued"
  - Source: [Dog Licence Renewals, web page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/dog-licence-renewals)
  - Official wording: "Renewal notices are mailed in late January" … "Renew by February 28 each year to avoid missing the discount and receiving a ticket"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** New licence: apply online, or in person at 1260 Nanaimo Lakes Road or 411 Dunsmuir Street. Renew or pay online, in person at those two places, or by mail (cheque) to 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5J6.
  - Source: [Apply for a New Dog Licence, web page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/apply-for-a-new-dog-licence)
  - Official wording: "Apply for a licence online using the form below or in person at 1260 Nanaimo Lakes Road or 411 Dunsmuir Street."
  - Source: [Dog Licence Renewals, web page](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/dog-licence-renewals)
  - Official wording: "By mail to 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5J6" … "Online using your account number and access code"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** $125 for a first offence of keeping an unlicensed dog (s. 16), $175 for a second or later offence; failing to obtain a licence (s. 17) is $125. Early payment $93.75 / $131.25; late payment $156.25 / $218.25.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159, Schedule A, Schedule A, Animal Responsibility Bylaw](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7159.pdf)
  - Official wording: "16 Unlicensed dog $125.00 $ 93.75 $156.25" … "$175.00 $131.25 $218.25" … "Fail to obtain dog licence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316 (licence requirement); fees are in Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 1](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW 2021 NO. 7316.”"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336, Schedule A, title](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf)
  - Official wording: "FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW 2021 NO. 7336"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf), nobody may own, possess or harbour an unlicensed dog in the City of Nanaimo. The licence must be obtained before January 1 each year. Fees are set in the [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf). Licences are issued by the City (Revenue Services, with Nanaimo Animal Control).

## Steps

1. For a new licence, apply online, or in person at 1260 Nanaimo Lakes Road or 411 Dunsmuir Street.
2. Show proof the dog is spayed or neutered (a vet certificate or other satisfactory evidence) to get the lower fee.
3. Pay. To renew, pay online with your account number and access code, in person at those two places, or by mailing a cheque to 455 Wallace Street.
4. Renewal notices are mailed in late January. Renew by February 28 to get the lower rate.

## Good to know

- The dog must be spayed or neutered by March 31 for the reduced fee to apply for that licence year.
- Unlicensed dog ticket: $125 for a first offence, $175 for a second or later one. Failing to obtain a licence is $125.
- Dogs deemed aggressive have a separate licence fee; see the aggressive dogs answer.

## What you'll need

- Proof of spay or neuter for the lower fee (vet certificate or other satisfactory evidence)

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Licences (City of Nanaimo)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences)
- [Dog Licence Fees](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/dog-licence-fees)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 7316 (PDF)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dog-licence.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/dog-licence.md)
- [Sechelt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/dog-licence.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/dog-licence.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/dog-licence.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Dog Licences, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog Licence Fees, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/dog-licence-fees) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog Licence Renewals, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/dog-licence-renewals) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Apply for a New Dog Licence, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/city-services/home-property/dog-licences/apply-for-a-new-dog-licence) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF), Schedule A](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7336.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316 (PDF)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159 (PDF), Schedule A](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7159.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 Nanaimo. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/dog-licence/_