How many dogs or cats you can keep in New Hazelton
How many dogs or cats can I keep in New Hazelton?
Short answer
In New Hazelton you may keep no more than three dogs over four months old per owner, except where kennels are authorized. Dogs and cats together are limited to three animals per parcel. Permission for more may be given under special circumstances.
Key facts
| Dogs allowed | No more than three dogs over four months old per owner, except where kennels are authorized. Dogs and cats together: no more than three animals per parcel.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, s. 6.5, 12.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingshall not be permitted to possess or harbour more than three dogs over the age of four (4) months within the District, except in those areas three (3) animals, in aggregate, of any combination of dogs and cats on |
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| Cats allowed | No separate cat limit: three animals in total, counting dogs and cats together, per parcel.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, s. 12.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingthree (3) animals, in aggregate, of any combination of dogs and cats on any one parcel despite the number of dwelling units permissible on that |
| Other animal limits | Hens: up to six per parcel. Animal Control Bylaw s. 12.1 prohibits horses, donkeys, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, quail and other poultry fowl in every area or zone, except hens, licensed pet shops or kennels and slaughterhouses. The Zoning Bylaw also permits a 'Hobby Farm' use in some zones; how the two fit is not stated.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, s. 12.1, 12.2; Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 392, 2026, reprinting Zoning Bylaw No. 389, 2025, s. 2 Definitions, Hobby Farm · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinghorses, donkeys, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, quail, or other poultry fowl six (6) hens, in aggregate, on any one parcel despite the number of dwelling units permissible on that parcel land on which an accessory barn, stable or animal shelter may be erected to house domestic animals kept for recreational purposes or for home consumption by the occupants of the dwelling. |
| Exceptions | Permission to keep more than the allowed number may be granted "under special circumstances", reviewed by the Chief Administrative Officer (or designate) and the Animal Control Officer. The three-dog limit does not apply in areas where kennels are authorized.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, s. 12.3, 6.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA person may be granted permission to keep more animals than listed in S. 12.2 under special circumstances, which will be reviewed by the Chief except in those areas where kennels are authorized dogs over the age of four (4) months within the District, except in those areas where kennels are authorized. |
| Fine | Keeping more than the allowed number of animals: $100. Keeping a prohibited animal: $150.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 393, 2026, Sched. B, Animal Control · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingKeeping more then allowed number of animals 12(ii) $100.00 Keeping of any prohibited animals 12(i) $150.00 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingCITATION this Bylaw will be cited for all purposes as “Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026.” |
How it works
Under the Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, an owner may keep no more than three dogs over four months old, except where kennels are authorized. There is no separate cat limit: dogs and cats together are limited to three animals per parcel, however many dwelling units are on it. Puppies and kittens are not exempt.
Good to know
- Permission to keep more than the allowed number may be granted under special circumstances. It is reviewed by the Chief Administrative Officer (or designate) and the Animal Control Officer. Ask the District Office at (250) 842-6571.
- Hens are allowed, up to six per parcel (see the backyard chickens answer).
- The bylaw prohibits horses, donkeys, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, quail and other poultry fowl in every area or zone, except hens, licensed pet shops or kennels and slaughterhouses.
- The Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 392 also permits a "Hobby Farm" use in some zones. The bylaws do not say how the two fit, so check with the District before keeping farm animals.
- Under the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 393, keeping more than the allowed number of animals is a $100 fine, and keeping a prohibited animal is $150.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Telkwa · Granisle · Terrace · Houston · Kitimat · Prince Rupert
Sources
- Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026 (PDF), District of New Hazelton (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 393, 2026 (PDF), District of New Hazelton (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 392, 2026, reprinting Zoning Bylaw No. 389, 2025 (PDF), District of New Hazelton (read 2026-11-08)
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.