Nanaimo dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

Nanaimo, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, ss. 16-17; Dog Licences, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 All dogs over the age of 4 months living in the City must be licensed.
Issued by	The City of Nanaimo (Revenue Services, with Nanaimo Animal Control).Dog Licences, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Contact Revenue Services or Nanaimo Animal Control for information regarding your dog licence Dog Licensing 250-755-4525
Fee, spayed or neutered	$25 a year if paid by February 28; $30 if paid after February 28.Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336, Schedule A, Schedule A, Dog Licence Fees; Dog Licence Fees, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Spayed/Neutered Dog \| $25.00 \| $30.00
Fee, not spayed or neutered	$50 a year if paid by February 28; $60 if paid after February 28.Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336, Schedule A, Schedule A, Dog Licence Fees; Dog Licence Fees, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Not Spayed/Neutered \| $50.00 \| $60.00
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.Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336, Schedule A, Schedule A, Dog Licence Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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.
Renewal	Licences expire December 31 each year. Renewal notices are mailed in late January; renew by February 28 to get the lower rate.Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 18; Dog Licence Renewals, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording expires on the 31st day of December of the year in which it is issued Renewal notices are mailed in late January Renew by February 28 each year to avoid missing the discount and receiving a ticket
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.Apply for a New Dog Licence, web page; Dog Licence Renewals, web page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Apply for a licence online using the form below or in person at 1260 Nanaimo Lakes Road or 411 Dunsmuir Street. By mail to 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5J6 Online using your account number and access code
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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159, Schedule A, Schedule A, Animal Responsibility Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 16 Unlicensed dog $125.00 $ 93.75 $156.25 $175.00 $131.25 $218.25 Fail to obtain dog licence
Bylaw	Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316 (licence requirement); fees are in Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336.Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 1; Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336, Schedule A, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited as “ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW 2021 NO. 7316.” FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW 2021 NO. 7336

How it works

Under the Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, 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. Licences are issued by the City (Revenue Services, with Nanaimo Animal Control).

Steps

For a new licence, apply online, or in person at 1260 Nanaimo Lakes Road or 411 Dunsmuir Street.
Show proof the dog is spayed or neutered (a vet certificate or other satisfactory evidence) to get the lower fee.
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.
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

The same question in other places

Ladysmith · Parksville · Sechelt · Qualicum Beach · Lake Cowichan · Gibsons

Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Dog Licences, City of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-05)
Dog Licence Fees, City of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-05)
Dog Licence Renewals, City of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-05)
Apply for a New Dog Licence, City of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF), Schedule A (read 2026-11-05)
Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2012 No. 7159 (PDF), Schedule A (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. How answers are checked.