Richmond dog licences: fees and how to get one

How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?

Richmond, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In the City of Richmond, every dog over eight weeks old needs a City licence each calendar year. A spayed or neutered dog costs $42, or $28.50 if paid before March 1. A dog that is not costs $95.50, or $68.75 before March 1.

Key facts

Licence required	Yes. Every person who owns a dog over eight weeks old must get a licence for it and attach it to a collar or harness (or to a leash attached to the dog), and must show it on request of an Animal Control Officer. Exempt: dogs owned by and kept at a licensed commercial or hobby kennel, and dogs already licensed under the Livestock Protection Act or another jurisdiction's bylaw for the unexpired licence period.Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138, s. 1.1.1, 2.5.1; Dog Licences, intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Every person who owns any dog or dangerous dog over the age of eight obtain a dog licence for such dog or dangerous dog in accordance Commercial or Hobby Dog Kennels pursuant to a bylaw of another jurisdiction all dog owners who reside in Richmond are required to purchase a licence and register their dog(s) that are over the age of eight weeks
Issued by	The City of Richmond (Animal Protection Services, Dog Licensing), not a regional district. The bylaw lets a Licence Inspector or Animal Control Officer issue licences and take fees for the City.Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138, s. 1.2.1; Dog Licences, Payment Options · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A Licence Inspector or an Animal Control Officer, has the authority to: issue dog licences and replacement dog licences Online with Visa or Mastercard. Dog Licensing, Animal Protection Services, City of Richmond
Fee, spayed or neutered	$42 a year for a spayed or neutered dog. $28.50 if paid before March 1 of the licence year. Owners aged 65 or older pay $15 if paid before March 1 (spayed or neutered dog; proof of age and spay/neuter certificate needed). A veterinarian's written certificate is needed for the spayed/neutered rate.Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Schedule Dog Licencing, Schedule - Dog Licencing, s. 2.1, 2.3; Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138, s. 1.3.1, 2.1.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Dog – Neutered or spayed Normal Fee $42.00 Prior to March 1st of the year for which the application is made $28.50 For seniors who are 65 years of age or older that have paid prior to March 1st $15.00 must present written certification from a licenced veterinarian every dog licence fee paid by an owner who is of the age of 65 or older, will be reduced by 50%
Fee, not spayed or neutered	$95.50 a year for a dog that is not spayed or neutered. $68.75 if paid before March 1 of the licence year. No senior discount.Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Schedule Dog Licencing, Schedule - Dog Licencing; Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138, s. 2.1.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Dog – Not neutered or spayed Normal Fee $95.50 Prior to March 1st of the year for which the application is made $68.75 (b) the dog or dangerous dog is neutered or spayed.
Other fees and discounts	Replacement tag (lost or stolen) or replacement for a valid licence from another jurisdiction: $8.50. Dangerous dogs: $208 to $340 (see dangerous-dogs). The brochure says failing to pay a licence or renewal fee 'will incur a late charge'. Fees are non-refundable and licences are not transferable.Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Schedule Dog Licencing, Schedule - Dog Licencing; Dog Licences, Things to Remember; Information for Dog Owners brochure, p. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording *Fee for a replacement tag for each dog tag lost or stolen; or for $8.50 each dog licence to replace a valid dog licence from another jurisdiction Licence fees are non-refundable. Licences are not transferable. Failure to pay your dog licence or renewal
Renewal	A licence is valid for the calendar year and expires December 31, not a year from purchase. Dogs must be licensed every year. Renewal reminders are mailed to previous licence holders; the lower rate applies if paid before March 1.Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138, s. 2.2.1; Dog Licences, Dog Licence Renewals; Information for Dog Owners brochure, p. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Every dog licence expires on the thirty-first day of December Dogs must be licensed for every calendar year. Renewal reminders are mailed to all previously licensed dog owners within Richmond in December A dog licence is valid for a calendar year and
How to get one	Online at richmond.ca/DogLicence (Visa or Mastercard); in person at City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road (main floor; Visa, Mastercard, debit or cheque); by mail to Attention: Dog Licensing, 6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC V6Y 2C1 (cheque or money order only); or the drop box at the City Hall Plaza (cheque or money order only). No cash. Email DogLicence@richmond.ca or call 604-247-4633.Information for Dog Owners brochure, p. 2; Dog Licences, Payment Options / Contacting us · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording (Visa or MasterCard) City Hall (main floor) Richmond City Hall Plaza Cash is not accepted at City Hall. By mailing a cheque or money order to Dog Licensing, Animal Protection Services Note that City Hall does not accept cash Contact Information DogLicence@richmond.ca 604-247-4633
Fine, unlicensed dog	Bylaw notice (Bylaw 8122 Schedule A): $300 for failing to obtain a valid dog licence ($250 if paid within 28 days; $325 if paid after 60 days). For a dangerous dog: $500 ($450 early; $525 late). Failing to attach the licence: $200 ($150 early; $225 late).Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A, Schedule A - Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Failure to obtain a valid dog licence for a dog 1.1.1(a) No $ 300.00 $ 250.00 $ 325.00 1.1.1(a) No $ 500.00 $ 450.00 $ 525.00 n/a dangerous dog 1.1.1(b) No $ 200.00 $ 150.00 $ 225.00 n/a
Bylaw	Dog Licencing Bylaw No. 7138 (licence requirement); fees are set in Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636.Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138, title; Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Schedule Dog Licencing, Schedule - Dog Licencing · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording DOG LICENCING BYLAW NO. 7138 Dog Licencing Bylaw No. 7138

How it works

Under Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138, anyone who owns a dog over eight weeks old in Richmond must licence it and attach the licence to a collar or harness (or to a leash attached to the dog). You must show it when an Animal Control Officer asks. Fees are set in the Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636. Licences are not transferable. Dogs kept at a licensed commercial or hobby kennel are exempt, and assistance dogs (including in training) certified by an acceptable training facility are licensed at no charge.

Steps

Choose how to apply: online at richmond.ca/DogLicence, in person at City Hall, by mail, or at the City Hall Plaza drop box.
For the spayed or neutered rate, give a veterinarian's written certificate. A dog previously licensed as spayed or neutered does not need proof again at renewal.
Pay by Visa or Mastercard online. At City Hall, pay by Visa, Mastercard, debit or cheque. By mail or drop box, pay by cheque or money order. The City does not take cash.
Renew every year. Pay before March 1 for the lower rate.

Good to know

The senior rate ($15) is for spayed or neutered dogs only. It applies if the dog was licensed the previous year and you pay before March 1, or if you acquired the dog this year and pay within 30 days.
There is no senior discount for a dog that is not spayed or neutered.
If a licensed dog changes owner during the year, the original owner must tell the City.
The brochure says a late charge applies if you do not pay on time, but the fee schedule gives no amount.
Having no licence can bring a bylaw notice of $300 ($250 if paid within 28 days, $325 after 60 days). Not attaching the licence is $200 ($150 early, $225 late).
A court can fine up to $10,000 on conviction.

What you'll need

Veterinarian's written certificate that the dog is spayed or neutered (for the lower rate)
Proof of age, if you claim the 65 or older rate

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Vancouver · Burnaby · North Vancouver · New Westminster · Delta · District of North Vancouver

Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Dog Licences, City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
Dog Licencing Bylaw 7138 (PDF), City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Schedule Dog Licencing (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Information for Dog Owners brochure (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Notice of Bylaw Violation Dispute Adjudication Bylaw 8122, Schedule A (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. How answers are checked.