---
title: "Northern Rockies dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence in Northern Rockies, and what does it cost?"
place: Northern Rockies, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/northern-rockies
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/dog-licence.json"
---

# Northern Rockies dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** In Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, any dog over 8 weeks old kept inside the Fort Nelson Animal Control boundary needs a licence. It costs $15 a year for a spayed or neutered dog and $50 for one that is not. Seniors pay $5 or $25. Buy it in person at the Municipal Office.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, https://www.northernrockies.ca)  
**Cost:** $15 a year spayed or neutered (proof required); $50 not spayed or neutered. Senior citizen owner: $5 or $25. Dogs under 6 months old: $0. Replacement licence or tag: $3. Fees are not refundable and licences are not transferable.  
**How long:** A licence runs January 1 to December 31. The fee falls due January 2 each year, or when a dog turns 8 weeks.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Office, 5319 - 50 Avenue South, Fort Nelson, BC (Bring proof of spay or neuter for the lower fee.)
- Phone: Animal Control, 250.775.0048 (Patrol 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday)

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Any dog over 8 weeks old kept inside the Animal Control boundary (Map 1) needs a licence, and must wear its current tag when off the owner's property. The owner must be at least 18.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, s. 6.1, 6.3, 6.4](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/9400/)
  - Official wording: "any dog over the age of eight (8) weeks unless a" … "license under this bylaw has been first obtained and the applicable fee" … "ensure that his dog wears the current license purchased for that dog" … "The Owner of a dog shall be at least 18 years of age."
  - Source: [Dog Licences and Animal Control, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Dog Licensing](https://www.northernrockies.ca/resident-services/dog-licences-animal-control)
  - Official wording: "All dogs over the age of eight (8) weeks living within the Fort Nelson Animal Control boundary are required to wear a current dog tag."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Issued by:** The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (Municipal Office, Fort Nelson).
  - Source: [Dog Licences and Animal Control, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Dog Licensing](https://www.northernrockies.ca/resident-services/dog-licences-animal-control)
  - Official wording: "Dog licences can be purchased at the Municipal Office."
  - Source: [Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, s. 6.9](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/9400/)
  - Official wording: "may receive dog license fees and issue dog licenses on behalf of the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $15 a year; $5 for a senior citizen (the owner, not the dog). Proof of spay or neuter is required.
  - Source: [Dog Licences and Animal Control, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Licence Fees](https://www.northernrockies.ca/resident-services/dog-licences-animal-control)
  - Official wording: "$15 spayed/neutered dog*" … "$5 or $25 senior citizen (human, not dog)" … "* Please show proof of spay/neuter at time of purchase"
  - Source: [Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Schedule A, item b](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/9400/)
  - Official wording: "Spayed female or neutered male dog" … "$5.00 for Seniors"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $50 a year; $25 for a senior citizen (the owner, not the dog).
  - Source: [Dog Licences and Animal Control, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Licence Fees](https://www.northernrockies.ca/resident-services/dog-licences-animal-control)
  - Official wording: "- $15 spayed/neutered dog* - $50 un-spayed/un-neutered dog - $5 or $25 senior citizen (human, not dog)"
  - Source: [Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Schedule A, item c](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/9400/)
  - Official wording: "Unspayed female or un-neutered male dog" … "$25.00 for Seniors"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Other fees and discounts:** Dogs under 6 months old: $0. Replacement licence or tag: $3. Rebate if a dog licensed as unspayed is later neutered or spayed (vet certificate): $25 ($12.50 seniors) January to June, $15 ($7 seniors) July to December. Pit bull licence $100, only if licensed on or before Oct 31, 2007. Fees are not refundable; licences are not transferable.
  - Source: [Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Schedule A / Schedule A, age and veterinary certificate rebate](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/9400/)
  - Official wording: "Dogs under the age of 6 months" … "Replacement of License or License Tag" … "is entitled to a rebate as follows" … "January, February, March, April, May, June" … "$12.50 for Seniors" … "$ 7.00 for Seniors" … "licensed in accordance with this Section on or before October 31," … "the fee for a pit bull dog license under this sub-section shall be $100" … "Except as otherwise provided in this bylaw, the following dog license fees are for a one (1) year period, from January 1 to December 31 in each year. a. Dogs under the age of 6 months $0 $15.00 b. Spayed female or neutered male dog" … "unspayed or un-neutered, who provides a Certificate of neutering or spaying of the dog from a licensed veterinary surgeon, is entitled to a rebate as follows: Month of Certificate Rebate $25.00 January, February, March, April, May, June $12.50 for Seniors $15.00 July, August, September, October, November, December $ 7.00 for Seniors e. Replacement of License or License Tag $3.00"
  - Source: [Dog Licences and Animal Control, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Licence Fees](https://www.northernrockies.ca/resident-services/dog-licences-animal-control)
  - Official wording: "- $5 or $25 senior citizen (human, not dog) - $3 replacement tag * Please show proof of spay/neuter at time of purchase"
  - Source: [Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, s. 6.7, 8.2](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/9400/)
  - Official wording: "Fees paid for a dog license are not refundable and the license is not" … "the fee for a pit bull dog license under this sub-section shall be $100"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Renewal:** Licences run January 1 to December 31. Fees fall due January 2 each year (or when a dog turns 8 weeks).
  - Source: [Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, s. 6.2, 6.12](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/9400/)
  - Official wording: "become due on the 2nd day of January of each year, or as soon thereafter" … "shall expire on the 31st day of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to get one:** In person at the Municipal Office, 5319 - 50 Avenue South, Fort Nelson. Bring proof of spay or neuter for the lower fee.
  - Source: [Dog Licences and Animal Control, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Dog Licensing](https://www.northernrockies.ca/resident-services/dog-licences-animal-control)
  - Official wording: "Dog licences can be purchased at the Municipal Office." … "Please show proof of spay/neuter at time of purchase"
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Option 1: pay](https://www.northernrockies.ca/community-safety/bylaw-enforcement)
  - Official wording: "Address: Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, 5319 – 50 Avenue South, Fort Nelson, BC" … "8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (except statutory holidays)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: $50 ($45 if paid within 21 days; $55 after 32 days). Not wearing the tag off the property (s. 6.3) is also $50.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 59, 2011 (PDF, consolidated May 2024), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Schedule A, Animal Control](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/59372/)
  - Official wording: "Unlicensed Dog 6.1 $50 $45 $55" … "Failure to Secure License Tag to"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (office consolidation of November 29, 2016).
  - Source: [Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, cover and s. 1.1](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/9400/)
  - Official wording: "Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009" … "Consolidated November 29, 2016 for Ease of Public Use"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The municipality issues dog licences under its [Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/9400/). It applies inside the Animal Control boundary (Map 1 of the bylaw). A dog must wear its current tag whenever it is off the owner's property, and the owner must be at least 18. Dogs living outside the boundary do not need a licence, though the municipality encourages out-of-town owners who bring dogs into Fort Nelson to buy one.

## Steps

1. Go to the Municipal Office, 5319 - 50 Avenue South, Fort Nelson.
2. For the lower fee, bring proof that the dog is spayed or neutered.
3. Pay the fee and collect the tag.
4. Put the tag on your dog whenever it is off your property.

## Good to know

- A licence is not transferable. The fee is not refundable.
- If a dog licensed as unspayed is later spayed or neutered, a rebate is available with a veterinarian's certificate: $25 ($12.50 for seniors) January to June, $15 ($7 for seniors) July to December.
- A pit bull can only be licensed if it was licensed on or before October 31, 2007. That licence is $100.
- No licence without one: a bylaw notice is $50 ($45 if paid within 21 days, $55 after 32 days). Not wearing the tag off your property is also $50.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF)](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/9400/)
- [Dog Licences and Animal Control](https://www.northernrockies.ca/resident-services/dog-licences-animal-control)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Stewart](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/stewart/dog-licence.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/dog-licence.md)
- [Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hazelton/dog-licence.md)
- [New Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-hazelton/dog-licence.md)
- [Granisle](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/granisle/dog-licence.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Control, Pound and License Bylaw No. 09, 2009 (PDF, consolidated November 29, 2016), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/9400/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Dog Licences and Animal Control, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality](https://www.northernrockies.ca/resident-services/dog-licences-animal-control) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Enforcement, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality](https://www.northernrockies.ca/community-safety/bylaw-enforcement) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 59, 2011 (PDF, consolidated May 2024), Northern Rockies Regional Municipality](https://nr.civicweb.net/document/59372/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 Northern Rockies Regional Municipality. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/northern-rockies/dog-licence/_