{"title":"Prince Rupert dog licences: fees and how to get one","question":"How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?","slug":"dog-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/prince-rupert","name":"Prince Rupert","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Prince Rupert","url":"https://www.princerupert.ca"},"short_answer":"Every dog 6 months or older in Prince Rupert needs a City licence each year under Dog Control Bylaw 3250. The bylaw fee is $20 (sterilized, with a vet's certificate) or $50 (not sterilized) if paid on or before March 1, and $40 or $70 after that.","aliases":["dog license prince rupert","pet licence","how much is a dog licence","dog tag"],"cost":"Bylaw fees, on or before March 1 / after March 1: $20 / $40 sterilized with a vet's certificate; $50 / $70 not sterilized. Replacement tag $10. Kennel licence (more than 3 dogs) $100 per dog by March 1, $120 after. No fee for dogs under 6 months or special needs dogs (they still need a licence). Fine for no licence: $55.","how_long":"Not stated. A licence runs January 1 to December 31 of the year it is issued.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Department","value":"250-624-6852"},{"type":"email","label":"Bylaw Department","value":"bylaw@princerupert.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Pet Licenses page (fee table and fines)","url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/animal-control/pet-licenses"},{"title":"Dog Control Bylaw 3250 (PDF)","url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2023-06/3250%20-%20%20Dog%20Control%20Bylaw%20%28VERSION%202.00%20-%20January%202008%29.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Prince Rupert dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"dangerous-dogs","title":"Prince Rupert rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/dangerous-dogs/"},{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Prince Rupert","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/how-many-pets/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/port-edward","name":"Port Edward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kitimat","name":"Kitimat","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/terrace","name":"Terrace","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-clements","name":"Port Clements","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-clements/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/stewart","name":"Stewart","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/stewart/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-hazelton","name":"New Hazelton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-hazelton/dog-licence/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence/"},"facts":{"required":{"label":"Licence required","value":"Yes. Every person in the City who owns or keeps a dog must have a licence. A \"dog\" is one 6 months old or older; dogs under 6 months need no licence.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2023-06/3250%20-%20%20Dog%20Control%20Bylaw%20%28VERSION%202.00%20-%20January%202008%29.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 3250, 2008 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 300; Sched. A","quotes":["Every person within the City who owns or keeps a dog shall obtain a valid","any animal of the canine species being 6 months of age or greater"]},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Prince Rupert","section":"Animal Control page","quotes":["Dogs under 6 months old do not require a license."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"issued_by":{"label":"Issued by","value":"The City of Prince Rupert, through its Bylaw Officer.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2023-06/3250%20-%20%20Dog%20Control%20Bylaw%20%28VERSION%202.00%20-%20January%202008%29.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 3250, 2008 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 300","quotes":["applying in writing to the Bylaw Officer on the form provided"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee_altered":{"label":"Fee, spayed or neutered","value":"$20 if bought on or before March 1; $40 after March 1. Needs a vet's certificate that the dog is sterilized. A dog too old or unfit for surgery (vet-certified) pays the sterilized rate.","short":"$20 by March 1 ($40 after March 1)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2023-06/3250%20-%20%20Dog%20Control%20Bylaw%20%28VERSION%202.00%20-%20January%202008%29.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 3250, 2008 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"Sched. B, s. 1.00; s. 300.2, 300.4","quotes":["Dogs – Sterilized with certification** $ 20.00 $ 40.00","Every person applying for a licence for a sterilized dog must present a certificate from a qualified veterinarian"]},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/animal-control/pet-licenses","title":"Pet Licenses, City of Prince Rupert","section":"Dog License Fees table","quotes":["Dogs - Sterilized with Certification** | $40"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The City's Pet Licenses page lists only $40 (and $70 for an unaltered dog) with no early rate; the bylaw schedule has two columns, 'On or Before March 01' and 'After March 01'. Followed the bylaw. Bylaw is dated 2008; fees unchanged on the web."},"fee_unaltered":{"label":"Fee, not spayed or neutered","value":"$50 if bought on or before March 1; $70 after March 1.","short":"$50 by March 1 ($70 after March 1)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2023-06/3250%20-%20%20Dog%20Control%20Bylaw%20%28VERSION%202.00%20-%20January%202008%29.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 3250, 2008 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"Sched. B, s. 1.00","quotes":["Dogs $ 50.00 $ 70.00","O n or B ef or e Af t e r"]},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/animal-control/pet-licenses","title":"Pet Licenses, City of Prince Rupert","section":"Dog License Fees table","quotes":["| Dog | $70 | Dogs - Sterilized"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Pet Licenses page shows only $70. Bylaw schedule gives $50 on or before March 1 and $70 after (the schedule's column heading text is spaced out in the PDF)."},"other_fees":{"label":"Other fees and discounts","value":"Replacement tag $10. No fee for dogs under 6 months or special needs dogs (which still need a licence). Kennel licence (more than 3 dogs) $100 per dog by March 1, $120 after. A licence from another BC municipality can be transferred by surrendering it and paying the Schedule B fee (no amount listed).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2023-06/3250%20-%20%20Dog%20Control%20Bylaw%20%28VERSION%202.00%20-%20January%202008%29.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 3250, 2008 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"Sched. B, s. 1.00; s. 300.3, 304","quotes":["Replacement Licence Tags $ 10.00 $ 10.00","Kennel Licence (per dog) $ 100.00 $120.00","A licence shall be required for but no fee payable for a Special Needs Dog.","entitled to a refund of the difference in the licence fees between a sterilized dog and an unsterilized dog","licensed by another municipality in the Province of British Columbia and the owner surrenders such licence"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"A licence is valid January 1 to December 31 of the year it is issued. Fees are lower if paid on or before March 1.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2023-06/3250%20-%20%20Dog%20Control%20Bylaw%20%28VERSION%202.00%20-%20January%202008%29.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 3250, 2008 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 308","quotes":["shall be valid from January 01st and shall expire on December 31st of the year in which it is issued"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_get":{"label":"How to get one","value":"Apply in writing to the Bylaw Officer on the City's form and pay the fee. You get a numbered tag stamped for the year to keep on the dog's collar. Bylaw Department: 250-624-6852, bylaw@princerupert.ca.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2023-06/3250%20-%20%20Dog%20Control%20Bylaw%20%28VERSION%202.00%20-%20January%202008%29.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 3250, 2008 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 300, 300.1","quotes":["applying in writing to the Bylaw Officer on the form provided","a numbered licence tag, stamped for the current year"]},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/city-hall/contact-city-department","title":"Contact a City Department, City of Prince Rupert","section":"Bylaw Complaints","quotes":["Phone 250-624 6852 Email bylaw@princerupert.ca"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine_unlicensed":{"label":"Fine, unlicensed dog","value":"$55 (No dog licence); $55 for failing to affix the licence tag.","short":"$55","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/animal-control/pet-licenses","title":"Pet Licenses, City of Prince Rupert","section":"Fines for Offenses Under the Dog Bylaw","quotes":["No Dog license 10 (a) $55.00","Failure to affix license tag 11 (b) $55.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 3250, 2008","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2023-06/3250%20-%20%20Dog%20Control%20Bylaw%20%28VERSION%202.00%20-%20January%202008%29.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 3250, 2008 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","section":"s. 605","quotes":["This bylaw may be cited as the \"DOG CONTROL BYLAW No. 3250, 2008\""]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":9,"stated":9,"matched":9,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\n[Dog Control Bylaw 3250](https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2023-06/3250%20-%20%20Dog%20Control%20Bylaw%20%28VERSION%202.00%20-%20January%202008%29.pdf) requires every person who owns or keeps a dog in Prince Rupert to hold a valid licence. A \"dog\" here is one 6 months old or older, so puppies under that age need no licence. The Bylaw Officer issues it: you apply in writing on the City's form and pay the fee, and you get a numbered tag stamped for the year, which stays on the dog's collar.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Ask the Bylaw Department (250-624-6852, bylaw@princerupert.ca) for the City's dog licence form. The City's pages do not say whether it can be handed in online or in person.\n2. If your dog is sterilized, give a veterinarian's certificate to get the lower fee.\n3. Pay the fee. It is lower if you pay on or before March 1.\n4. Put the numbered tag on your dog's collar.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A licence is valid from January 1 to December 31 of the year it is issued.\n- A dog too old or unfit for surgery, certified by a vet, pays the sterilized rate.\n- A licence from another BC municipality can be transferred by surrendering it and paying the Schedule B fee. The schedule lists no amount, so ask the Bylaw Department.\n- Special needs dogs and dogs under 6 months pay no fee, but a special needs dog still needs a licence.\n- A replacement tag is $10.\n- A kennel licence is needed for more than 3 dogs ($100 per dog by March 1, $120 after). See the pets limit answer.\n- Tickets (from the City's Pet Licenses page): no dog licence $55; not attaching the licence tag $55. An impounded unlicensed dog costs $90 plus the licence fee.\n- The City's Pet Licenses page shows only the higher fees ($40 and $70), without the early rate. The bylaw is the source here, so confirm the amount with the Bylaw Department.\n- Restricted and vicious dogs pay more; see the restricted dogs answer.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/animal-control/pet-licenses","title":"Pet Licenses, City of Prince Rupert","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/sites/7/files/2023-06/3250%20-%20%20Dog%20Control%20Bylaw%20%28VERSION%202.00%20-%20January%202008%29.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 3250, 2008 (PDF), City of Prince Rupert","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/city-hall/bylaws-policies/animal-control","title":"Animal Control, City of Prince Rupert","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princerupert.ca/city-hall/contact-city-department","title":"Contact a City Department, City of Prince Rupert","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 9 of 9 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/dog-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/dog-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/dog-licence.json"}}