{"title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in North Cowichan","question":"How many dogs or cats can I keep in North Cowichan?","slug":"how-many-pets","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Municipality of North Cowichan","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca"},"short_answer":"In North Cowichan you can keep no more than 3 dogs over 8 weeks old and 5 cats over 12 weeks old, and no more than 6 companion animals in all. More than 3 dogs, or boarding dogs for profit, needs a kennel licence.","aliases":["how many dogs north cowichan","how many cats north cowichan","pet limit north cowichan","kennel licence north cowichan"],"cost":"Kennel licence $125 a year ($150 if paid after February 28). Fine for too many animals: bylaw notice $100, or municipal ticket $100. No kennel licence: bylaw notice $200, or municipal ticket $250.","how_long":"Dog licences expire on December 31 each year. The sources read do not say separately when a kennel licence expires.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Services","value":"250-746-3108"},{"type":"phone","label":"Coastal Animal Services","value":"250-748-3395"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"North Cowichan dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"North Cowichan dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"backyard-chickens","title":"North Cowichan backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/backyard-chickens/"},{"slug":"dangerous-dogs","title":"North Cowichan rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dangerous-dogs/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/duncan","name":"Duncan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sidney","name":"Sidney","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/how-many-pets/"},{"place":"ca/bc/highlands","name":"Highlands","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/how-many-pets/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/how-many-pets/"},"facts":{"dog_limit":{"label":"Dogs allowed","value":"No more than 3 dogs over 8 weeks old per person (6 companion animals in all). Keeping more than 3 dogs, or boarding dogs for profit, needs a kennel licence, and the zoning bylaw bars a kennel from any lot under 8,000 m² (1.98 acres). The Dogs page calls 3 the maximum.","short":"Max 3 dogs (more needs a kennel licence)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)","section":"ss. 3, 56","quotes":["consisting of not more than 3 Dogs over","No Person shall keep or maintain more than 3 Dogs, or board Dogs for purposes of utility or profit, unless that Person has first obtained a Kennel Licence"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs","title":"Dogs, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"How to register","quotes":["which is the maximum number of dogs allowed over the age of 8 weeks under the Animal Responsibility Bylaw"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw 2950, s. 51(2)(g)/52(g) kennel condition","quotes":["A kennel must not be located on a lot less than 8000 m2 (1.98 acres) in area."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"cat_limit":{"label":"Cats allowed","value":"No more than 5 cats over 12 weeks old. Cats that go outdoors must be spayed or neutered and every cat must wear identification (collar, harness, tattoo or microchip).","short":"Max 5 cats","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)","section":"ss. 3, 6, 7.1","quotes":["not more than 5 Cats over the age of 12 weeks","Every Owner of an outdoor Cat must have the Cat spayed or neutered"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_limits":{"label":"Other animal limits","value":"Combined limit of 6 companion animals per person (no more than 3 dogs and 5 cats). Rabbits must be kept in a secure pen. Exotic animals may not be kept. Bees need water on the keeper's property and must be kept to prevent swarming. Zoning limits poultry, rabbits and farm animals on lots under 8,000 m².","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)","section":"ss. 3, 4","quotes":["No Person shall keep more than 6 Companion Animals","must not keep rabbits in an outdoor Pen, cage or run, unless the Pen, cage or run is securely enclosed","No Person shall either on a temporary basis or permanent basis:","provide adequate water for the bees on the Person’s property"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF)","section":"s. 48.1","quotes":["a total of not more than 12 rabbits or poultry"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"exceptions":{"label":"Exceptions","value":"A kennel licence ($125 a year, $150 after February 28) is needed for more than 3 dogs or boarding dogs for profit, and zoning bars a kennel on a lot under 8,000 m². Puppies under 8 weeks and kittens under 12 weeks are not counted. Poultry and farm animals follow zoning s. 48.1.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)","section":"ss. 3, 10, 56","quotes":["Dogs over the age of 8 weeks","This Bylaw does not apply to a Dog belonging to and actively working for a government law","unless that Person has first obtained a Kennel Licence"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B (PDF)","section":"Schedule B, items 7-8","quotes":["Kennel Licence Fee $125","Kennel Late Fee (after February 28) $25 additional"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw 2950, s. 51(2)(g)/52(g)","quotes":["A kennel must not be located on a lot less than 8000 m2 (1.98 acres) in area."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days; $120 after 28 days) for keeping more than 6 companion animals, more than 3 dogs or more than 5 cats. Municipal ticket: $100 each. Failing to get a kennel licence: bylaw notice $200 ($100 early, $220 late); municipal ticket $250.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, s. 3","quotes":["Keep more than 6 companion","Harbour more than 3 dogs $100.00 $50.00 $120.00 YES","Harbour more than 5 cats $100.00 $50.00 $120.00 YES"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF)","section":"Schedule 2, Section 1, items 1-3, 34","quotes":["Keep more than 6 companion animals 3 $100","Fail to obtain a kennel licence. 56 $250"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 3 and 56.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as “Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019”"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Animal Responsibility Bylaw](<https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf>) limits each person to 3 dogs over 8 weeks old and 5 cats over 12 weeks old, and to 6 companion animals in all. Puppies under 8 weeks and kittens under 12 weeks are not counted, going by the bylaw's wording.\n\nKeeping more than 3 dogs, or boarding dogs for profit, needs a kennel licence. The Municipality's Dogs page calls 3 the maximum. The Zoning Bylaw bars a kennel from any lot under 8,000 m² (1.98 acres), so a kennel licence is not possible on a smaller lot.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Count your dogs and cats against the limits above.\n2. If you want more than 3 dogs and your lot is 8,000 m² or larger, ask Bylaw Services about a kennel licence ($125 a year).\n3. Licence every dog; see the dog licence answer.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Cats that go outdoors must be spayed or neutered, and every cat must wear identification (collar, harness, tattoo or microchip).\n- Rabbits must be kept in a secure pen. Exotic animals may not be kept.\n- Bees need water on the keeper's property and must be kept to prevent swarming.\n- Zoning limits poultry, rabbits and farm animals on lots under 8,000 m²; see the chickens answer.\n- Fines: keeping too many animals is $100 by bylaw notice ($50 if paid within 14 days, $120 after 28 days) or $100 by municipal ticket. No kennel licence is $200 by bylaw notice ($100 early, $220 late) or $250 by municipal ticket.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs","title":"Dogs, Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/how-many-pets/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/how-many-pets.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/how-many-pets.json"}}