Oak Bay dog licences: fees and how to get one
How do I get a dog licence in Oak Bay, and what does it cost?
Short answer
In Oak Bay, every dog over four months old needs a District licence each year (January 1 to December 31). The fee is $39 for a spayed or neutered dog and $55 for one that is not, if paid by February 1.
Key facts
| Licence required | Yes. The owner of any dog over four months old must take out a licence for each licence year (January 1 to December 31).Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 (Bylaw No. 4013), ss. 34, 36, 40 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe owner of any dog over the age of four months shall apply to the Licence Inspector and take out a licence for such dog The dog licence year shall run from January 1 to December 31 No person shall keep or harbour any dog over the age of four months unless a licence therefor has been taken out |
|---|---|
| Issued by | The District of Oak Bay issues licences (Licence Inspector). Dog control is enforced by Victoria Animal Control Services Ltd., under contract.Dog Licences; Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 (Bylaw No. 4013), s. 1 (Licence Inspector; Poundkeeper) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDogs over the age of four months must be licensed every year with the District of Oak Bay. Victoria Animal Control Services Ltd. means the person appointed by the Municipal Council to issue licences and collect licence fees under this Bylaw |
| Fee, spayed or neutered | $39 a year if paid by February 1; $44 after February 1. Proof of spaying or neutering is required.Dog Licences, Dog Licensing Costs; Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 (Bylaw No. 4013), Sched. B; s. 42 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingSpayed or neutered dogs: $39.00 Spayed or neutered dogs: $44.00 Proof of spaying or neutering is required to receive the discounted licence rate. Neutered male dog or spayed female dog $39.00 shall be increased by the amount of $5.00 if a new licence has not been taken out by February 1 |
| Fee, not spayed or neutered | $55 a year if paid by February 1; $60 after February 1.Dog Licences, Dog Licensing Costs; Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 (Bylaw No. 4013), Sched. B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNon-spayed or non-neutered dogs : $55.00 Non-spayed or non-neutered dogs: $60.00 Unneutered male dog or unspayed female dog $55.00 |
| Other fees and discounts | Replacement tag $5. A $5 late amount applies if last year's licence is not renewed by February 1. Guide and service dogs are exempt. A vet's statement of spaying or neutering is accepted in lieu of the fee for that calendar year (the District's page says 'preceding 12 months'). No refunds.Dog Licences, Dog Licensing Costs; Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 (Bylaw No. 4013), ss. 39, 42, 43 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingReplacement tags are $5.00. Exceptions to licence fees are granted to Certified Guide and Service Dogs and dogs spayed/neutered in the preceding 12 months. no dog owner shall be entitled to a refund on any paid up dog shall pay a replacement fee of Five Dollars ($5.00) shall be accepted in lieu of the licence fee for the calendar year in which the shall pay a replacement fee of Five Dollars ($5.00) in respect of the tag. |
| Renewal | Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renew by February 1: after that the fee rises $5. The Dog Licences page says renewal notices are mailed every December; the Dogs page says January.Sources differ: The Dogs page (p-dogs2) says renewals are sent in January; the Dog Licences page says December. The renewal date is the one in the value.Dog Licences, Renew your Oak Bay Dog Licence; Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 (Bylaw No. 4013), s. 36 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingYou will receive a licence renewal in the mail every December. Licences are valid from January 1 to December 31. The dog licence year shall run from January 1 to December 31 $5.00 if a new licence has not been taken out by February 1 of the current dog |
| How to get one | New dogs: send the Dog Licence Application and proof of spaying or neutering to dogs@oakbay.ca, drop it at Municipal Hall (2167 Oak Bay Ave.) or mail it. Renewals: pay online with the account number and access code, in person (cash, cheque, Interac), by drop box or by mail.Dog Licences, If Your Dog is New to Oak Bay; Paying for Your Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingSubmit your materials to dogs@oakbay.ca, drop off in-person at Municipal Hall or mail to 2167 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria B.C., V8R 1G2. Pay online with your account number and access code, located on the top of your renewal notice. Visit us during business hours at Oak Bay Municipal Hall (2167 Oak Bay Ave.) to pay by cash, cheque or Interac. |
| Fine, unlicensed dog | Municipal ticket: $150 ($100 if paid within 30 days) for an unlicensed dog; $150 ($100) for no licence tag on the dog.Sources differ: The Dog Licences page says tickets carry a 'minimum penalty of $50' (Animal Control Bylaw s. 71 sets a $50 minimum fine on conviction). The ticketing schedule in Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4846 sets $150, $100 if paid within 30 days. Ticket schedule followed. No Bylaw Notice Enforcement bylaw was found in the District's bylaw list.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4846, 2023 (consolidated), Sched. 2; Dog Licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingUnlicensed Dog 40 $150.00 $100.00 No License Tag On Dog 38 $150.00 $100.00 with a minimum penalty of $50 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 (Bylaw No. 4013)Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 (Bylaw No. 4013), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBYLAW NO. 4013 This Bylaw may be cited as the ANIMAL CONTROL BYLAW, 1999. |
How it works
The District of Oak Bay issues dog licences under its Animal Control Bylaw. The owner of any dog over four months old must take out a licence for each licence year, which runs January 1 to December 31. Dog control is enforced by Victoria Animal Control Services Ltd., under contract with the District. Proof of spaying or neutering is required for the lower fee.
Steps
- New dog: send the Dog Licence Application and proof of spaying or neutering to dogs@oakbay.ca, drop it at Municipal Hall, or mail it.
- Renewal: pay online with your account number and access code, in person (cash, cheque or Interac), by drop box or by mail. Credit cards are accepted online only.
- Pay by February 1 for the lower fee.
Good to know
- A $5 late amount applies if last year's licence is not renewed by February 1. The Dog Licences page says dogs that move to Oak Bay after February 1 pay the discounted rate.
- Guide and service dogs are exempt. No seniors or other discounts were found. Licences are not refundable.
- A veterinarian's statement of spaying or neutering is accepted in place of the fee for that year. The bylaw says calendar year; the District's page says the preceding 12 months, so confirm which applies.
- An unlicensed dog, or a dog without its tag, can bring a $150 municipal ticket ($100 if paid within 30 days). The District's page mentions a $50 minimum penalty; the ticket bylaw sets $150, so confirm with Bylaw Enforcement if unsure. See Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4846.
- The renewal-notice month differs between District pages (December or January). Do not wait for the notice.
What you'll need
- Proof of spaying or neutering, for the lower fee
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Victoria · Saanich · Esquimalt · View Royal · Colwood · Langford
Sources
- Dog Licences, District of Oak Bay (read 2026-11-06)
- Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 (Bylaw No. 4013) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4846, 2023 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 9 of 9 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.