North Cowichan dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

North Cowichan, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 41, 47, 46; Dogs, intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 If your dog is over 4 months old, your furry friend needs to be licensed every year and wear the valid licence tag
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.Dogs, Contact information; Where do fees go; Animal Responsibility, Coastal Animal Services · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 - Pet advice - Dog licence tags - Emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year for:- Injured animals in a public place
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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B, Schedule B, item 1; Dogs, Dog licence fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 1 Dog Licence Fee $35 (including new dogs) \| $35.00
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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B, Schedule B, items 1-2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 1 Dog Licence Fee $35 Dog Licence Late Fee (after February 28) $10 additional
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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B, Schedule B, items 2-8; Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 is exempt from the licensing fees set out in this Bylaw
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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 45; Dogs, How to register/renew · 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 North Cowichan will send you a renewal reminder in December every year
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.Dogs, How to register/renew · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021, Schedule A, Animal Responsibility Bylaw, s. 41; Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw, Schedule 2, Section 1, item 30; Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021, s. 11(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Fail to obtain a Dog licence $100.00 $50.00 $120.00 YES Fail to obtain a Dog licence 41 $100 a late payment surcharge of $20
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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 1; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited as “Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019” SCHEDULE B - ANIMAL CONTROL FEES

How it works

The Municipality of North Cowichan issues dog licences through its finance department. Under the Animal Responsibility Bylaw, 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

New dog: fill in the online new dog licence application form on the Dogs page (up to 3 dogs on one form).
Pay the fee. $35 applies in January and February; $45 applies after February.
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.
Keep the tag on your dog's collar or harness.
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

The same question in other places

Duncan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Sidney · Lake Cowichan · Central Saanich

Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Dogs, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
Animal Responsibility, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (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. How answers are checked.