---
title: "North Cowichan dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence in North Cowichan, and what does it cost?"
place: North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-cowichan
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: Municipality of North Cowichan
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dog-licence.json"
---

# North Cowichan dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** In North Cowichan, every dog over 4 months old needs a licence each year. It costs $35 if bought in January or February and $45 after that. There is no lower rate for spayed or neutered dogs.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Municipality of North Cowichan, https://www.northcowichan.ca)  
**Cost:** $35 a year if bought in January or February (including new dogs); $45 after February. Replacement tag $5. Transfer of a licence $5. Kennel licence $125 (plus $25 if paid after February 28). Aggressive dog licence $100 (plus $25 if paid after February 28). Certified guide dogs are exempt from licence fees. Fine for an unlicensed dog: bylaw notice $100, or municipal ticket $100.  
**How long:** Licences and tags expire on December 31 each year. The Municipality mails a renewal reminder in December.  
**Where:**
- Online: New dog licence application form (up to 3 dogs on the form), https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs
- Phone: Finance department, Municipal Hall, 250-746-3100
- Email: Tell the Municipality if your dog has died or you have moved away, finance@northcowichan.ca
- In person: Municipal Hall, 7030 Trans-Canada Highway, North Cowichan, B.C. V9L 6A1 (Doors open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every dog over 4 months old must have a valid licence, renewed every year, and must wear the licence tag on a collar or harness at all times. Licences are not issued to anyone under 18.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 41, 47, 46](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Person shall keep any Dog over the age of 4 months unless a valid and subsisting licence" … "Every Owner must ensure that a valid licence tag is affixed and displayed" … "A licence must not be issued to, or in the name of, any Person under the age of 18 years"
  - Source: [Dogs, intro](https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs)
  - Official wording: "If your dog is over 4 months old, your furry friend needs to be licensed every year and wear the valid licence tag"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The Municipality of North Cowichan (finance department, 250-746-3100) issues the licence. Coastal Animal Services, which North Cowichan contracts for animal control and the pound, also provides dog licence tags.
  - Source: [Dogs, Contact information; Where do fees go](https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs)
  - Official wording: "Dog licensing" … "Phone: 250-746-3100" … "The licence fee helps support Coastal Animal Services, which is contracted by North Cowichan to provide animal control services"
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility, Coastal Animal Services](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/animal-responsibility)
  - Official wording: "- Pet advice - Dog licence tags - Emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year for:- Injured animals in a public place"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $35 a year if bought in January or February (including new dogs). The fee schedule lists one dog licence fee; it has no separate rate for spayed or neutered dogs.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B, Schedule B, item 1](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1 Dog Licence Fee $35"
  - Source: [Dogs, Dog licence fees](https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs)
  - Official wording: "(including new dogs) | $35.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $35 a year if bought in January or February (including new dogs); the same fee as for a spayed or neutered dog. $45 after February.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B, Schedule B, items 1-2](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1 Dog Licence Fee $35" … "Dog Licence Late Fee (after February 28) $10 additional"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Late fee: $10 extra after February 28 (so $45). Replacement tag $5. Transfer of a licence from another municipality or owner $5. Kennel licence $125 (plus $25 late after February 28). Aggressive dog licence $100 (plus $25 late). Certified guide dogs are exempt from licence fees. No senior or early-payment discount found.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B, Schedule B, items 2-8](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Dog Licence Late Fee (after February 28) $10 additional" … "Dog Licence Transfer Fee $5.00" … "Dog Tag Replacement Fee $5" … "Kennel Licence Fee $125" … "Aggressive Dog Licence Late Fee (after February 28) $25 additional"
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 11](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "is exempt from the licensing fees set out in this Bylaw"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences and tags expire on December 31 each year. North Cowichan mails a renewal reminder in December to owners with a licence; pay the annual fee to renew (no new application needed). Renewals bought after February are $45.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 45](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "expires on the 31st day of December of the year in which it is issued"
  - Source: [Dogs, How to register/renew](https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs)
  - Official wording: "North Cowichan will send you a renewal reminder in December every year"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** New dogs: fill in the online new dog licence application form (up to 3 dogs on the form). Renewals: pay the annual fee using the Municipality's payment options (online banking, in person etc.) and keep the tag on the collar. Email finance@northcowichan.ca if your dog has died or you have moved away. Renewal notices can be sent by email through MyMuni.
  - Source: [Dogs, How to register/renew](https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs)
  - Official wording: "complete the new dog licence application form. You can register up to three dogs on the form" … "you simply need to pay the annual dog licence fee" … "finance@northcowichan.ca"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice (Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw Schedule A): $100, or $50 if paid within 14 days; $120 if paid after 28 days. Municipal ticket (Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw): $100.
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021, Schedule A, Animal Responsibility Bylaw, s. 41](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Fail to obtain a Dog licence $100.00 $50.00 $120.00 YES"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw, Schedule 2, Section 1, item 30](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Fail to obtain a Dog licence 41 $100"
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021, s. 11(2)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a late payment surcharge of $20"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (licences: Part 6, ss. 41-59); licence fees are in Schedule B of the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 1](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019”"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE B - ANIMAL CONTROL FEES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The Municipality of North Cowichan issues dog licences through its finance department. Under the [Animal Responsibility Bylaw](<https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf>), every dog over 4 months old needs a valid licence, renewed every year, and the tag must be worn on a collar or harness at all times. A licence cannot be issued to anyone under 18. Coastal Animal Services, the Municipality's animal control contractor, also provides dog licence tags.

The fee is the same for every dog: the fee schedule has no separate rate for spayed or neutered dogs. Certified guide dogs are exempt from licence fees.

## Steps

1. New dog: fill in the online new dog licence application form on the Dogs page (up to 3 dogs on one form).
2. Pay the fee. $35 applies in January and February; $45 applies after February.
3. Renewal: pay the annual fee using the Municipality's payment options (online banking, in person and so on). No new application is needed. Renewal notices can be sent by email through MyMuni.
4. Keep the tag on your dog's collar or harness.
5. If your dog has died or you have moved away, email finance@northcowichan.ca.

## Good to know

- The licence and tag expire on December 31. A reminder is mailed in December to owners with a licence.
- A lost tag costs $5 to replace, and moving a licence from another municipality or owner costs $5.
- Keeping more than 3 dogs needs a kennel licence ($125 a year); see the pets answer.
- An unlicensed dog can bring a fine. A bylaw notice is $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days, $120 after 28 days); a municipal ticket is $100. Not wearing a valid tag is $50 either way.
- No senior or early-payment discount was found.

## Official forms and pages

- [Dogs page (licence fees and online form), Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Duncan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/dog-licence.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dog-licence.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/dog-licence.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/dog-licence.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/dog-licence.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Dogs, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Animal Responsibility, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/animal-responsibility) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Municipality of North Cowichan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dog-licence/_