How many dogs or cats you can keep in Nanaimo

How many dogs or cats can I keep?

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

Short answer

In the City of Nanaimo you may keep no more than 4 dogs over 16 weeks old and 5 cats over 12 weeks old on a property. There is also a cap of 6 companion animals in total and 12 animals of any kind, unless the bylaw says otherwise. Going over a limit is a $100 ticket.

Key facts

Dogs allowed	No more than 4 dogs over 16 weeks old on any property.Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 9.1(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No Person shall keep, on any Property, more than: (a) 4 Dogs over the age of 16 weeks;
Cats allowed	No more than 5 cats over 12 weeks old on any property.Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 9.1(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording (b) 5 Cats over the age 12 weeks; or
Other animal limits	No more than 6 companion animals in total, and no more than 12 animals of any kind unless the bylaw says otherwise. Also: 12 small flock birds, mice, rats, gerbils or hamsters; 4 hook-bill birds, chinchillas, ferrets, hedgehogs, rabbits or sugar gliders; 6 guinea pigs or reptiles (each as a combined group).Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, ss. 6, 7, 9.1(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Unless expressly permitted by this Bylaw, no Person shall keep, on any Property, more than 12 (c) 6 Companion Animals. (a) 12 Small Flock Birds, domestic mice, domestic rats, gerbils, or hamsters, or combination (b) 4 Hook Bill Birds, chinchillas, domestic ferrets, hedgehogs, Rabbits, sugar gliders, or (c) 6 guinea pigs or Reptiles, or combination thereof.
Exceptions	More than 4 dogs or 5 cats allowed for: temporary care as a registered-society animal rescue (must notify the Poundkeeper); keeping or boarding more than 4 dogs if zoning allows and the person has a valid business licence; pound, BC SPCA and vet premises; livestock or poultry where agriculture is a permitted use. Racing pigeons: up to 50 for certified pigeon club members on parcels over 0.4 ha.Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, ss. 8, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording a Person may temporarily care for more than 4 Dogs over the age Animal rescue organization operated by a society registered under the Societies Act a Person may keep or maintain more than 4 Dogs, or board Dogs Nanaimo’s Zoning Bylaw and has obtained a valid Business Licence. The keeping of Livestock or Poultry on a Property on which agriculture is a permitted use may keep up to a maximum of fifty (50) racing pigeons on any parcel of land over .4 hectares.
Fine	$100 for keeping more than 4 dogs, 5 cats, 6 companion animals or 12 animals (early $75, late $125). Other over-limit offences (s. 7) are also $100. Failing to meet the s. 9.2 notice or s. 9.3 requirements is $150 ($112.50 early, $187.50 late).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 9.1(a) Keep more than 4 dogs $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 9.1(b) Keep more than 5 cats $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 9.1(c) Keep more than 6 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 9.2 Fail to notify Poundkeeper $150.00 $112.50 $187.50
Bylaw	Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316.Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited as “ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW 2021 NO. 7316.”

How it works

The Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316 caps how many animals you can keep on any one property in the City of Nanaimo.

Limits

Dogs over 16 weeks old: 4.
Cats over 12 weeks old: 5.
Companion animals in total: 6.
Animals of any kind: 12, unless the bylaw says otherwise.
Small flock birds, mice, rats, gerbils or hamsters: 12 combined.
Hook-bill birds, chinchillas, ferrets, hedgehogs, rabbits or sugar gliders: 4 combined.
Guinea pigs or reptiles: 6 combined.

Good to know

You may keep or board more than 4 dogs only if zoning allows it and you hold a valid business licence.
A registered-society animal rescue may temporarily care for more dogs or cats if it notifies the Poundkeeper.
The limits do not apply to the pound, BC SPCA and vet premises, or to livestock and poultry where agriculture is a permitted use.
Certified pigeon club members may keep up to 50 racing pigeons on parcels over 0.4 hectares.
Failing to meet the rescue-notice or boarding requirements is a $150 ticket ($112.50 early, $187.50 late).