---
title: How many dogs or cats you can keep in North Cowichan
question: "How many dogs or cats can I keep in North Cowichan?"
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/how-many-pets/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/how-many-pets.json"
---

# How many dogs or cats you can keep in North Cowichan

**Question:** How many dogs or cats can I keep in North Cowichan?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Municipality of North Cowichan, https://www.northcowichan.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Bylaw Services, 250-746-3108
- Phone: Coastal Animal Services, 250-748-3395

## Key facts

- **Dogs allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 3, 56](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Dogs, How to register](https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs)
  - Official wording: "which is the maximum number of dogs allowed over the age of 8 weeks under the Animal Responsibility Bylaw"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, Zoning Bylaw 2950, s. 51(2)(g)/52(g) kennel condition](https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968)
  - Official wording: "A kennel must not be located on a lot less than 8000 m2 (1.98 acres) in area."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cats allowed:** 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).
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 3, 6, 7.1](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other animal limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 3, 4](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1](https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968)
  - Official wording: "a total of not more than 12 rabbits or poultry"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exceptions:** 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.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 3, 10, 56](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B, Schedule B, items 7-8](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Kennel Licence Fee $125" … "Kennel Late Fee (after February 28) $25 additional"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, Zoning Bylaw 2950, s. 51(2)(g)/52(g)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968)
  - Official wording: "A kennel must not be located on a lot less than 8000 m2 (1.98 acres) in area."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021, Schedule A, s. 3](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw, Schedule 2, Section 1, items 1-3, 34](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Keep more than 6 companion animals 3 $100" … "Fail to obtain a kennel licence. 56 $250"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 3 and 56.
  - 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”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [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.

Keeping 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.

## Steps

1. Count your dogs and cats against the limits above.
2. 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).
3. Licence every dog; see the dog licence answer.

## Good to know

- Cats that go outdoors must be spayed or neutered, and every cat must wear identification (collar, harness, tattoo or microchip).
- 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; see the chickens answer.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [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 licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dog-licence.md)
- [North Cowichan dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [North Cowichan backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/backyard-chickens.md)
- [North Cowichan rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/dangerous-dogs.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/how-many-pets.md)
- [Duncan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/how-many-pets.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/how-many-pets.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/how-many-pets.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/how-many-pets.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/how-many-pets.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/how-many-pets.md)

## Sources

- [Dogs, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/dogs) (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)
- [Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968) (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 6 of 6 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/how-many-pets/_