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

# Nelson 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 in Nelson needs a City licence. It costs $30 a year for a spayed or neutered dog and $70 for one that is not. Buy it online through Docupet or in person at City Hall, Suite 101, 310 Ward Street. A vicious or pit bull terrier-type dog is $300.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Nelson, https://www.nelson.ca)  
**Cost:** $30 spayed or neutered; $70 not spayed or neutered; $300 vicious or pit bull terrier-type dog; $15 replacement tag; $95 kennel licence. No senior or early-payment discount found.  
**How long:** The bylaw defines the licence year as January 1 to December 31. The City's Pet Licences page says a licence is valid 12 months from the date of purchase. Confirm with City Hall.  
**Where:**
- Online: Docupet (the City's licensing partner), https://nelson.docupet.com/en_CA/
- In person: City Hall (cashier), Suite 101, 310 Ward Street, Nelson, BC V1L 5S4
- Phone: City Hall, 250-352-5511

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every dog must be licensed; the bylaw states no minimum age. A person under 17 needs a parent's or guardian's written consent, and the parent is then treated as owner.
  - Source: [Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333 (consolidation revised December 5, 2016), s. 2, 6](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/1025)
  - Official wording: "No person shall own a dog on or after the commencement of the licence year without obtaining forthwith from the Municipality and holding a licence for the dog." … "A licence may be issued to a person under the age of seventeen (17) years if the application for the licence is accompanied by a written consent by the parent or"
  - Source: [Pet Licences, Dog Licences](https://www.nelson.ca/208/Pet-Licences)
  - Official wording: "all dogs are required to be licensed within the City of Nelson"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The City of Nelson, online through Docupet or in person at City Hall.
  - Source: [Pet Licences, Dog Licences](https://www.nelson.ca/208/Pet-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Dog owners in Nelson can purchase their licence online through Docupet, or in person at City Hall."
  - Source: [Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333 (consolidation revised December 5, 2016), s. 3(a)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/1025)
  - Official wording: "the Municipality shall issue to the owner a dog licence tag"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $30 a year for a spayed or neutered dog. A veterinarian's certificate is required as proof.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule M, Schedule M, Licence fees](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404)
  - Official wording: "Neutered Male Dog $ 30.00" … "Spayed Female Dog $ 30.00" … "A certificate from a qualified veterinarian is required as proof that the dog has been neutered or spayed."
  - Source: [Pet Licences, Dog Licences](https://www.nelson.ca/208/Pet-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Dogs spayed or neutered: $30.00/year"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $70 a year for a dog that is not spayed or neutered.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule M, Schedule M, Licence fees](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404)
  - Official wording: "Unneutered Male Dog $ 70.00" … "Unspayed Female Dog $ 70.00"
  - Source: [Pet Licences, Dog Licences](https://www.nelson.ca/208/Pet-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Dogs not spayed or neutered $70.00/year"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Replacement tag $15. Kennel licence $95. Vicious/Pit Bull Terrier dog licence $300. If an unaltered dog is neutered or spayed during the year, the difference in fee is refunded with a vet certificate. Licences are not transferable. No senior or early-payment discount found.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule M](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404)
  - Official wording: "Replacement License $ 15.00" … "Kennel License $ 95.00" … "Vicious/Pit Bull Terrier Dog $ 300.00"
  - Source: [Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333 (consolidation revised December 5, 2016), s. 3(b), 4](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/1025)
  - Official wording: "shall be eligible for a refund equal to the difference between the licence fee paid and that of a neutered or spayed dog licence fee" … "is not transferable to another dog, or to an owner other than the person to whom was"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** The bylaw defines the licence year as January 1 to December 31. The City's Pet Licences page says licence fees are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. (Sources differ: The bylaw requires a licence on or after the start of each licence year (s. 2) but does not state an expiry date; the web page says 12 months from purchase. Confirm with City Hall (250-352-5511).)
  - Source: [Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333 (consolidation revised December 5, 2016), s. 1 definition of License Year](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/1025)
  - Official wording: "means the period from January 1st to December 31st, both inclusive, in any year."
  - Source: [Pet Licences, Dog Licences](https://www.nelson.ca/208/Pet-Licences)
  - Official wording: "License fees are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** Online through Docupet (nelson.docupet.com), or in person at City Hall, Suite 101, 310 Ward Street, from the cashier. Phone 250-352-5511.
  - Source: [Pet Licences, Dog Licences](https://www.nelson.ca/208/Pet-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Dog owners in Nelson can purchase their licence online through Docupet, or in person at City Hall." … "Phone: 250-352-5511"
  - Source: [Domestic Animals](https://www.nelson.ca/157/Domestic-Animals)
  - Official wording: "can be purchased from the cashier at City Hall"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: dog not licensed $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 if paid after 28 days). Licence tag not displayed: the same amounts.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3195, Schedule A, Schedule A, Animal Regulation and Control, s. 2 and 3(a)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/38996)
  - Official wording: "Dog not licensed 100 75 125" … "Dog Licence not displayed 100 75 125"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw No. 2333, 1989. Fees are in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, 2008, Schedule M.
  - Source: [Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333 (consolidation revised December 5, 2016), s. 39](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/1025)
  - Official wording: "Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw No. 2333, 1989"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule M](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE "M" to FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW NO. 3092, 2008"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/1025), every dog in Nelson must be licensed with the City. The bylaw states no minimum age. A licence is not transferable. If you pay the higher fee and the dog is then spayed or neutered during the year, the difference is refunded with a veterinarian's certificate. Fees are set in [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule M](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404).

## Steps

1. Gather the dog's details and, for the $30 rate, a veterinarian's certificate that it is spayed or neutered.
2. Licence the dog online through Docupet, or in person at the cashier at City Hall (Suite 101, 310 Ward Street). Phone 250-352-5511 with questions.
3. If you are under 17, bring a parent's or guardian's written consent. The parent is then treated as the owner.
4. Keep the tag on the dog as the bylaw requires.

## Good to know

- Licence period: the bylaw's licence year is January 1 to December 31, but the City's Pet Licences page says 12 months from the date of purchase. Confirm with City Hall before you buy late in the year.
- A replacement tag is $15. A kennel licence is $95. The City's pages show no senior or early-payment discount.
- A bylaw notice for an unlicensed dog is $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days). A tag not displayed carries the same amounts. Nelson uses bylaw notices only; no municipal ticket for this was found.
- Vicious or pit bull terrier-type dogs have their own rules; see the dangerous dogs answer.

## What you'll need

- Veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered (for the $30 rate)
- Written parent or guardian consent if the owner is under 17

## Official forms and pages

- [Pet Licences, City of Nelson](https://www.nelson.ca/208/Pet-Licences)
- [Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333 (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/1025)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/dog-licence.md)
- [Slocan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/dog-licence.md)
- [Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/dog-licence.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/dog-licence.md)
- [Montrose](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/dog-licence.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Pet Licences, City of Nelson](https://www.nelson.ca/208/Pet-Licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Domestic Animals, City of Nelson](https://www.nelson.ca/157/Domestic-Animals) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Regulation and Control Bylaw 2333 (consolidation revised December 5, 2016) (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/1025) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule M (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 3195, Schedule A (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/38996) (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 Nelson. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/dog-licence/_