How many dogs or cats you can keep in North Cowichan

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

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

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.

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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 3, 56; Dogs, How to register; Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, Zoning Bylaw 2950, s. 51(2)(g)/52(g) kennel condition · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 which is the maximum number of dogs allowed over the age of 8 weeks under the Animal Responsibility Bylaw A kennel must not be located on a lot less than 8000 m2 (1.98 acres) in area.
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).Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 3, 6, 7.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 3, 4; Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 a total of not more than 12 rabbits or poultry
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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 3, 10, 56; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, 2020, Schedule B, Schedule B, items 7-8; Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, Zoning Bylaw 2950, s. 51(2)(g)/52(g) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Kennel Licence Fee $125 Kennel Late Fee (after February 28) $25 additional A kennel must not be located on a lot less than 8000 m2 (1.98 acres) in area.
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.Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, 2021, Schedule A, s. 3; Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw, Schedule 2, Section 1, items 1-3, 34 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Keep more than 6 companion animals 3 $100 Fail to obtain a kennel licence. 56 $250
Bylaw	Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, ss. 3 and 56.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited as “Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019”

How it works

The Animal Responsibility Bylaw 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

Count your dogs and cats against the limits above.
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).
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)

The same question in other places

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

Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Dogs, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (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 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.