Saanich dog licences: fees and how to get one
How do I get a dog licence in Saanich, and what does it cost?
Short answer
In Saanich, every dog over four months old needs a licence from the District each calendar year. A spayed or neutered dog costs $25 if paid before February 1 ($30 after); a dog that is not costs $35 ($40 after). Saanich sets the fees, but CRD Animal Care Services enforces the rules.
Key facts
| Licence required | Yes. Every dog over four months old needs a licence, renewed each year (a new licence each calendar year, to be obtained by February 1).Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, s. 16; Dog Licences, Dog Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingshall obtain a dog licence on or before the first day of February in each year any dog over the age of four months all dogs over the age of four months have a valid licence |
|---|---|
| Issued by | The District of Saanich (apply to its Collector; pay at Municipal Hall, by mail or online). The licence reminder, tag and payment all go through Saanich, not the CRD.Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, s. 18.1; Dog Licences, Dog Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingshall apply to the Collector and shall pay the fees The District of Saanich issued permanent dog tags to all dog owners in 2023 |
| Fee, spayed or neutered | $25 if paid before February 1; $30 from February 1. Free for a dog spayed or neutered in the 12 months before applying (one free licence per dog).Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, s. 19.1(a), 19.2, 19.5; Dog Licences, Fees table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe sum of $25.00 for each spayed female or castrated male dog if a new licence has not been taken out on or before the first day of February a licence shall be issued free of charge for a dog which has been castrated or spayed during the 12 month period Neutered or spayed dog $25.00 $30.00 |
| Fee, not spayed or neutered | $35 if paid before February 1; $40 from February 1.Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, s. 19.1(b), 19.5; Dog Licences, Fees table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe sum of $35.00 for each female dog which is not spayed or male dog which is not castrated shall be increased by the amount of $5.00 Fee before February 1 | Fee after February 1 | Unfixed dog | $35.00 | $40.00 Fee after February 1 | Unfixed dog | $35.00 | $40.00 | Neutered or spayed dog | $25.00 | $30.00 |
| Other fees and discounts | Replacement tag $5. Free licence for certified guide or service dogs. No fee for a newcomer with a current licence from another municipality (they must notify Saanich). Kennel breeders registered with the Canadian Kennel Club pay $50 for all their dogs.Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, ss. 19.4, 19.6, 19.7, 20; Dog Licences, Dog Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingshall pay a replacement fee of $5.00 in respect of the tag a licence shall be issued free of charge for a guide dog shall be exempted from paying a licence fee in the current year shall be $50.00 for all dogs owned by him/her Replacement Tag Exceptions to licence fees are given to Certified Guide and Service Dogs |
| Renewal | Licences run for the calendar year (January to December) and must be renewed every year; renew before February 1 to avoid the $5 extra. Saanich issued permanent tags in 2023, so the tag number stays the same each year.Dog Licences, Dog Licences page; Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, s. 17 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingDog licences must be renewed annually and are valid for the calendar year from January to December You will receive a $5.00 discount when you renew before February 1 is for the calendar year in which it was obtained |
| How to get one | Renew by mail (cheque to 770 Vernon Avenue, Victoria BC V8X 2W7), the 24-hour drop box at Municipal Hall (cheques only), in person at Municipal Hall (cash, cheque, Interac, credit card), or online (credit card only, using the account number on your invoice). New licences: submit the online application; with more than two dogs call 250-475-5484.Dog Licences, Dog Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBy Mail: Mail your cheque and bottom portion of your dog renewal notice to 770 Vernon Avenue, Victoria, BC V8X 2W7 In person at the Municipal Hall: You can pay in person at the Municipal Hall using cash, cheque, Interac or credit card Online: You can renew your dog licence online, using the account number on your invoice If you have more than two dogs please contact us at 250-475-5484 to register |
| Fine, unlicensed dog | Bylaw notice: $150 ($100 if paid within 14 days; $200 if paid more than 28 days after). Municipal ticket: $150 if paid within 30 days, $200 after 30 days.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525, Schedule 8, s. 16 / Bylaw notice schedule, animal control, section 16; Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029, Schedule 8, s. 16 / Municipal ticket schedule, no dog licence; Dog Licences, Dog Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingfaeces No dog licence 16 $150.00 $50.00 $50.00 n/a Keeping wild animal without a 35 $150.00 $50.00 $50.00 n/a habitat of bird or animal Page 15 of 37 Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525 Failure to remove canine 14.1 $150.00 $50.00 $50.00 n/a faeces No dog licence 16 $150.00 $50.00 $50.00 n/a Keeping wild animal without a 35 $150.00 $50.00 $50.00 n/a No dog licence 16 $150.00 $200.00 13.6, 13.8 Dog harming bird or animal or habitat of bird or 13.7 $150.00 $200.00 animal Failure to remove canine faeces 14.1 $150.00 $200.00 No dog licence 16 $150.00 $200.00 Keeping wild animal without a permit 35 $150.00 $200.00 Feeding deer 35.1 $150.00 $200.00 Owners of unlicenced dogs can be fined up to $200.00 |
| Bylaw | Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingANIMALS BYLAW, 2004, NO. 8556 |
How it works
Under the Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556, every dog over four months old in Saanich needs a licence each calendar year. You apply to Saanich (the bylaw's "Collector"), not the CRD, and you can pay at Municipal Hall, by mail or online. The reminder, tag and payment all go through Saanich.
| Dog | Before February 1 | From February 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Spayed or neutered | $25 | $30 |
| Not spayed or neutered | $35 | $40 |
A dog spayed or neutered in the 12 months before you apply gets one free licence. Guide and service dogs are free. A newcomer with a current licence from another municipality pays no fee but must tell Saanich. Kennel breeders registered with the Canadian Kennel Club pay $50 for all their dogs. A replacement tag is $5.
Steps
- Go to the Dog Licences page or Municipal Hall.
- Apply and pay before February 1 to avoid the extra $5.
- Keep your permanent tag; the number stays the same each year.
Good to know
- Without a licence, a bylaw notice is $150 ($100 if paid within 14 days, $200 if paid more than 28 days after). A municipal ticket is $150 if paid within 30 days and $200 after. A court conviction carries a minimum fine of $100.
- Complaints and enforcement are handled by CRD Animal Care Services, 250-478-0624.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Oak Bay · Esquimalt · Victoria · View Royal · Central Saanich · Colwood
Sources
- Dogs in Saanich | District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Dog Licences, District of Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 9525 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Ticket Bylaw, 2010, No. 9029 (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.