---
title: "North Saanich dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence in North Saanich, and what does it cost?"
place: North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-saanich
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of North Saanich
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/dog-licence.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** Every dog over six months old in North Saanich needs a District licence each calendar year. Apply through Finance at Municipal Hall. Spayed or neutered dogs cost $20 and others $30 for a renewal before the due date or a new licence issued January 1 to July 31.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of North Saanich, https://www.northsaanich.ca)  
**Cost:** Spayed or neutered $20; not spayed or neutered $30 (renewal before the due date, or new licence issued January 1 to July 31). Renewal after the due date $25 and $35. New licence August 1 to December 31 $10 and $15. Replacement tag $5 (unless defective). No fee for police dogs and guide dogs.  
**How long:** Licences run January 1 to December 31. A new tag is issued each year.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Hall (Finance Department), 1620 Mills Road, North Saanich, BC V8L 5S9 (Cash, cheque or Interac. No credit cards.)
- Email: Finance Department, finance@northsaanich.ca

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. The owner of every dog over six months old must get a licence for each calendar year (January 1 to December 31) by January 31, or on becoming the owner if later. Only dogs living in North Saanich need a District licence.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751 (consolidated to February 2014), s. 4.1](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The owner of a dog shall obtain a licence for the calendar year January 1 to December 31" … "for each dog owned by him over the age of six (6) months"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page](https://www.northsaanich.ca/local-government/applications-permits-licences/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "all dogs over the age of six months must be licenced in the District of North Saanich" … "Only dogs residing in North Saanich require a licence from the District of North Saanich."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The District of North Saanich, through the Finance Department at Municipal Hall.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751 (consolidated to February 2014), s. 4.2](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The licence shall be issued by the District of North Saanich or the Agent or such other person as may be appointed"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page](https://www.northsaanich.ca/local-government/applications-permits-licences/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "return to the Finance Department at the Municipal Hall in person or email it to finance@northsaanich.ca"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $20 a year for a spayed or neutered dog (renewal before the due date, or a new licence issued January 1 to July 31). Renewal after the due date: $25. New licence issued August 1 to December 31: $10.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page fee table](https://www.northsaanich.ca/local-government/applications-permits-licences/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "Renewal, prior to due date | $20.00 | $30.00" … "Renewal, after due date | $25.00 | $35.00" … "New Licence, issued August 1 to December 31 | $10.00 | $15.00"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751 (consolidated to February 2014), Schedule A, 1(b)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Female Dog (spayed) $ 20.00 $10.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $30 a year for a dog that is not spayed or neutered (renewal before the due date, or a new licence issued January 1 to July 31). Renewal after the due date: $35. New licence issued August 1 to December 31: $15.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page fee table](https://www.northsaanich.ca/local-government/applications-permits-licences/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "Renewal, prior to due date | $20.00 | $30.00" … "Renewal, after due date | $25.00 | $35.00" … "New Licence, issued August 1 to December 31 | $10.00 | $15.00"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751 (consolidated to February 2014), Schedule A, 1(a)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Female Dog (not spayed) $ 30.00 $15.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** $5 late fee if the renewal due date is missed. Replacement tag $5 (unless defective). No fee for police dogs and guide dogs. A dog spayed or neutered in the 12 months before applying gets one free licence. A new owner, or a move-in with a current licence from another local government, can get a free licence if the old tag and receipt are surrendered.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page](https://www.northsaanich.ca/local-government/applications-permits-licences/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "A $5.00 late-fee will be charged if the due date on the renewal invoice is missed."
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751 (consolidated to February 2014), Schedule A 1(f); ss. 4.5, 4.9, 4.12, 4.13](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Replacement of license tag $ 5.00 (unless defective)" … "No Licence fee shall be charged for police dogs and guide dogs." … "provided that not more than one free licence shall be issued for any one dog." … "the new owner may apply for a new licence at no cost provided that the old licence tag and receipt are surrendered" … "may make application for a free licence for the remainder of the year"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences are for the calendar year (January 1 to December 31) and must be renewed every year; a new tag is issued each year. The District sends renewal invoices at the start of the year. The bylaw sets January 31 to get the licence, and a late penalty applies if the January 1 fee is not paid by February 28.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page](https://www.northsaanich.ca/local-government/applications-permits-licences/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "must be renewed annually, and are valid for the calendar year from January to December" … "The District sends out renewal invoices at the beginning of each year."
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751 (consolidated to February 2014), ss. 4.1, 4.7, 4.10](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "has not been paid by February 28th, the owner of any dog not so licensed shall pay a late application penalty" … "shall expire on the 31st day of December next"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** Complete the dog licence application form and return it to the Finance Department at Municipal Hall (1620 Mills Road) in person, or email it to finance@northsaanich.ca. Renewals can be paid by mailing the invoice remittance with a cheque, through online banking (payee 'District of North Saanich (Permits and Licence)', with your 7-digit client number), or in person. Cash, cheque or Interac only; no credit cards.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page](https://www.northsaanich.ca/local-government/applications-permits-licences/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "please complete the dog licence application form, and return to the Finance Department at the Municipal Hall in person or email it to finance@northsaanich.ca." … "Add the District of North Saanich (Permits and Licence) as a new payee through your online banking." … "Cash, cheque or interac only."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Municipal ticket (MTI Bylaw 1544, Schedule 8): $130, or $100 if paid within 30 days (unlicensed dog, s. 4.1). These 2022 amounts may be out of date; the District has 2026 ticket bylaws.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1544 (Schedule 8)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Municipal-Ticket-Information-Bylaw-No.-1544.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Unlicensed dog 4.1 $130.00 $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** District of North Saanich Animal Control By-law (1993), Bylaw No. 751
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751 (consolidated to February 2014), s. 22.1 and title](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "District of North Saanich Animal Control By-law (1993)" … "ANIMAL CONTROL BY-LAW NO. 751"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page](https://www.northsaanich.ca/local-government/applications-permits-licences/dog-licences)
  - Official wording: "As per District of North Saanich Animal Control Bylaw no. 751"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf), the owner of every dog over six months old must get a licence for each calendar year (January 1 to December 31). The licence is due by January 31, or when you become the dog's owner if that is later. The District issues the licences through its Finance Department at Municipal Hall, and sends renewal invoices at the start of the year.

## Steps

1. Fill out the dog licence application form (renewals use the invoice).
2. Return it to Finance at Municipal Hall, 1620 Mills Road, or email finance@northsaanich.ca.
3. Pay by cash, cheque or Interac in person, by mailed cheque, or through online banking. Add "District of North Saanich (Permits and Licence)" as the payee and use your 7-digit client number. Credit cards are not accepted.
4. Put the new tag on your dog's collar.

## Good to know

- Only dogs living in North Saanich need a District licence.
- A $5 late fee applies if you miss the renewal due date. The bylaw sets the late penalty for a January 1 fee not paid by February 28.
- A dog spayed or neutered in the 12 months before you apply gets one free licence. A new owner, or someone moving in with a current licence from another local government, can get a free licence by handing in the old tag and receipt.
- An unlicensed dog is a $130 municipal ticket, or $100 if paid within 30 days. These amounts are from a 2022 bylaw and the District has since passed 2026 ticket bylaws we could not read, so confirm the current amount.

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Licence Application (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/District-of-North-Saanich-Dog-License-Application.pdf)
- [Dog Licences, District of North Saanich](https://www.northsaanich.ca/local-government/applications-permits-licences/dog-licences)
- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751 (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/dog-licence.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/dog-licence.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/dog-licence.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/dog-licence.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/dog-licence.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Dog Licences, District of North Saanich](https://www.northsaanich.ca/local-government/applications-permits-licences/dog-licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751 (consolidated to February 2014) (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1544 (Schedule 8)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Municipal-Ticket-Information-Bylaw-No.-1544.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 District of North Saanich. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/dog-licence/_