---
title: How many dogs or cats you can keep in Squamish
question: "How many dogs or cats can I keep in Squamish?"
place: Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/squamish
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Squamish
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/how-many-pets/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/how-many-pets.json"
---

# How many dogs or cats you can keep in Squamish

**Question:** How many dogs or cats can I keep in Squamish?

**Short answer:** Squamish allows up to three dogs and four cats per household. Keeping more than three dogs requires additional licensing and approval.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Squamish, https://squamish.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 604-892-5217

## Key facts

- **Dogs allowed:** Squamish allows up to three dogs and four cats per household.
  - Source: [Animal control and pet owner responsibilities, PDF p. 2](https://squamish.ca/assets/Uploads/Animal-Control-Brochure.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the Animal Control Bylaw 2124, 2009 The District of Squamish allows a maximum of three dogs and a maximum of four cats per household. More than three dogs requires a business licence, a kennel licence, and the appropriate zoning to operate a kennel."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Cats allowed:** Up to four cats per household.
  - Source: [Animal control and pet owner responsibilities, PDF p. 2](https://squamish.ca/assets/Uploads/Animal-Control-Brochure.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the Animal Control Bylaw 2124, 2009 The District of Squamish allows a maximum of three dogs and a maximum of four cats per household. More than three"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Other animal limits:** Not confirmed. Checked Be a Good Pet Guardian...Know Your Responsibilities., Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009; not found there.
- **Exceptions:** More than three dogs requires a business licence, a kennel licence and the appropriate zoning.
  - Source: [Animal control and pet owner responsibilities, PDF p. 2](https://squamish.ca/assets/Uploads/Animal-Control-Brochure.pdf)
  - Official wording: "and a maximum of four cats per household. More than three dogs requires a business licence, a kennel licence, and the appropriate zoning to operate a kennel."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Fine:** Excess dogs cost $300 ($270 within 14 days, $330 after 28 days). Excess cats cost $200 ($180 early, $220 late).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015, Section 5 and Animal Control schedule, sections 26 and 31](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801)
  - Official wording: "(b) if received by the District within fourteen (14) days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the discounted penalty set out in Column 2 opposite the contravention; (c) if more than twenty-eight (28) days after the person received or is presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the late penalty set out in Column 3 opposite the contravention; or" … "26 Excess dogs on property $300 $270 $330 No" … "31 Excess cats on property $200 $180 $220 No"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Bylaw:** District of Squamish Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009, Sections 1, 26 and 31](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/103402/)
  - Official wording: "1. This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “District of Squamish Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009" … "26. No person shall keep more than three dogs apparently over the age of four months on any parcel of land in the District at any one time except in the lawful operation of a kennel or veterinary clinic." … "31. No person shall keep more than four cats apparently over the age of four months on any parcel of land in the District at any one time except in the lawful operation of a kennel or veterinary clinic."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

When counting pets, check who the limit applies to and which animals it includes. A rule written for one person, one household or one property can produce different answers for people sharing a home. More than three dogs requires a business licence, a kennel licence and the appropriate zoning.

## Steps

1. Read the household limits in [Animal control and pet owner responsibilities (PDF)](https://squamish.ca/assets/Uploads/Animal-Control-Brochure.pdf). List the species and ages of the animals that would live at the address, including the ones already there.
2. Read the wording for that species. If the plan involves boarding, breeding or fostering, ask whether the address and activity fall under a separate provision.

## Good to know

- Excess dogs cost $300 ($270 within 14 days, $330 after 28 days). Excess cats cost $200 ($180 early, $220 late).
- In Squamish, dogs over eight weeks must be licensed and wear a tag.
- Apply online or at Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue.
- Give the office the actual numbers when asking about an exception. A licence for an individual animal answers a different question from how many may be kept together.
- For a question about the limit for your combination of animals and whether an exception applies, call the Municipal Hall at 604-892-5217.
- Read the applicable provisions in [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801) and [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/103402/).

## Related questions

- [Squamish dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dog-licence.md)
- [Squamish dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [Squamish rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/dangerous-dogs.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/how-many-pets.md)
- [Lions Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/how-many-pets.md)
- [Bowen Island](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/how-many-pets.md)
- [West Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/how-many-pets.md)
- [Gibsons](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/how-many-pets.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/how-many-pets.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/how-many-pets.md)

## Sources

- [Animal control and pet owner responsibilities (PDF)](https://squamish.ca/assets/Uploads/Animal-Control-Brochure.pdf) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Dog Licences](https://squamish.ca/public-safety-services/animal-control/dog-licences/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2418, 2015 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/200801) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 2124, 2009 (PDF)](https://squamish.civicweb.net/document/103402/) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Squamish municipal office contact information](https://squamish.ca/about/contact-and-feedback/) (read 2026-11-09)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Squamish. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/how-many-pets/_