How many dogs or cats you can keep in Powell River

How many dogs or cats can I keep?

Powell River, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In the City of Powell River you may keep no more than three dogs and no more than three cats on any parcel of land, and no more than one of each an unspayed female. Pet shops, veterinary clinics and kennels are exempt.

Key facts

Dogs allowed	No more than three dogs on any parcel of land in the City, and no more than one of them an unspayed female.Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), s. 28 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall keep more than three dogs but no more than one of which can be an unspayed
Cats allowed	No more than three cats on any parcel of land in the City, and no more than one of them an unspayed female.Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), s. 29 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall keep more than three cats but no more than one of which can be an unspayed
Other animal limits	Poultry and rabbits: up to 6 poultry (no rooster) on R1, R2 or R3 lots; on RA1 lots under 0.2 ha (0.5 acre), up to 12 poultry (no rooster) or 20 rabbits; on RA1, A1 or A2 lots, up to 24 poultry (one may be a rooster) or 50 rabbits. Other animals (not dogs, cats, rabbits or poultry) may be kept on A1 and A2 lots with at least 0.4 ha (1 acre) per animal, and on RA1 lots with at least 0.2 ha (0.5 acre) per animal.Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), ss. 30, 31 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording up to 12 poultry, none of which may be a rooster, or 20 rabbits on a RA1 zoned parcel up to 24 poultry, one of which may be a rooster, or 50 rabbits, on a RA1, A1 or A2 zoned parcel up to six poultry, none of which may be a rooster, on a R1, R2 and R3 zoned parcel when a minimum 0.4 hectares (1 acre) of land is provided for each animal
Exceptions	The dog and cat limits do not apply to the lawful operation of a pet shop, veterinary clinic or kennel. A kennel is a place keeping four or more dogs or cats.Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), ss. 2(e), 28, 29 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording except in the lawful operation of a pet shop, veterinary clinic or kennel “Kennel” means a place, building, or structure for the keeping, training, care, breeding, treatment, hospitalization, or boarding of four or more dogs or cats
Fine	Bylaw notice: $100 for keeping more than 3 dogs, more than 3 cats, or more than one unspayed female dog or cat ($20 discount within 14 days; $20 surcharge after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $100 for more than 3 dogs or more than 3 cats.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026, App. 1, ss. 28, 29; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026, s. 7, Sch. A; Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 2572, 2019 (consolidated January 2022), Sch. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 28 Keeping more than 3 dogs $100 $20 $20 $50 29 Keeping more than 3 cats $100 $20 $20 $50 29 Keeping more than one $100 $20 $20 $50 if Paid within 14 days of the bylaw notice being received if Paid within 14 days of the bylaw notice being received the amount of the surcharge in Column A3 of Schedule "A" shall be due Keeping more than 3 dogs 28 $ 100.00 Keeping more than 3 cats 29 $ 100.00
Bylaw	City of Powell River Animal Control Bylaw No. 1979, 2003Animal Control Bylaw 1979, 2003 (consolidated June 8, 2020), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording City of Powell River Animal Control Bylaw No.1979, 2003

How it works

Under the Animal Control Bylaw, you may keep no more than three dogs on any parcel of land in the City of Powell River, and no more than one of them an unspayed female. The same limits apply to cats: no more than three, with no more than one unspayed female. The bylaw sets no zone-based variation for dogs.

Steps

Count the dogs and cats on your parcel.
If you are over a limit, reduce the number or ask Animal Control about your situation at 604-485-8600.
Licence each dog. See the dog licence answer.

Good to know

The limits do not apply to the lawful operation of a pet shop, veterinary clinic or kennel. A kennel is a place keeping four or more dogs or cats. Kennel use also depends on zoning.
The bylaw gives no exemption for puppies or kittens.
It does not limit combined dog and cat totals.
Rabbits, poultry and other animals have their own limits, covered in the backyard chickens answer.
A bylaw notice is $100 for more than 3 dogs, more than 3 cats, or more than one unspayed female dog or cat ($20 discount if paid within 14 days; $20 surcharge if paid after 28 days). A municipal ticket is $100 for more than 3 dogs or more than 3 cats.