---
title: "Summerland dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?"
place: Summerland, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/summerland
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Summerland
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dog-licence.json"
---

# Summerland dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**Short answer:** In Summerland, every dog over four months old needs a licence each year, issued by the District itself. If you pay by January 31 it is $35 for a spayed or neutered dog and $70 for one that is not. After January 31 it costs $10 more. Guide, service and RCMP dogs are free.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Summerland, https://www.summerland.ca)  
**Cost:** Paid by January 31: $35 spayed or neutered (with proof), $70 not. After January 31, $10 more. Lost tag replacement $5. Transfer from another BC local government $5. Guide, service and RCMP dogs free (certification needed).  
**How long:** Finance emails an invoice within five business days. Licences expire December 31 and must be renewed by the end of January.  
**Where:**
- Email: Dog licensing, doglicensing@summerland.ca (Send the form without payment.)
- In person: Municipal Hall, 13211 Henry Avenue, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0
- Phone: Bylaw Services, 250-494-6451 ext. 4 (bylaw@summerland.ca)

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every dog over four months old living in Summerland must be licensed each year. The bylaw applies to anyone who owns a dog and lives in the District more than 30 days.
  - Source: [Dog Licencing, Who needs a licence](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/dog-licencing-control)
  - Official wording: "Every dog over four months old living in Summerland must be licensed each year."
  - Source: [Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, s. 8](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every person who owns a dog and resides in the District of Summerland for more than thirty (30) days"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The District of Summerland itself. The Finance Department sets up your account and payment after you register with Bylaw Services; no regional district or contractor is named.
  - Source: [Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, s. 11](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The licence shall be issued by the District or such other person(s) as the CFO may appoint."
  - Source: [Dog Licencing, Register a new dog](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/dog-licencing-control)
  - Official wording: "Within five business days, the Finance Department will email you your account number, your registration details and payment instructions."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $35 a year if bought by January 31 (proof from a veterinarian or a sworn declaration is required). $10 more if bought after January 31.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule N (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Licence Fee if purchased prior to January 31st" … "Spayed or Neutered Dog (where proof from a veterinarian or sworn $35.00" … "$10 Licence Fee Late Charge if purchased after January 31st increase to fee above"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $70 a year if bought by January 31. $10 more if bought after January 31.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule N (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Unspayed or Unneutered Dog $70.00" … "$10 Licence Fee Late Charge if purchased after January 31st increase to fee above"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Late charge: $10 added after January 31. Replacement for a lost tag: $5. Dog licensed by another BC local government: $5 to transfer. Guide, service and RCMP dogs: no charge (certification needed).
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule N (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Replacement for lost tag for the non-expired period of the current $5.00 Licence year" … "Owner holding a valid and current Licence from another BC Local $5.00 Government" … "Guide, Service or RCMP Dog (where certification is provided) No Charge"
  - Source: [Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024, s. 20](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "An owner holding a valid and current licence from another B.C. local government will not be required to pay a licence fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences expire December 31 and must be renewed by the end of January. Renewal notices are mailed in December. Each dog gets one lifetime tag; only the licence is renewed.
  - Source: [Dog Licencing, Renewals](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/dog-licencing-control)
  - Official wording: "Licences expire on December 31 and must be renewed by the end of January." … "Renewal notices are mailed in December." … "Each dog receives one lifetime tag; the licence itself is renewed every year."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** Fill in the online registration form or download the New Dog Registration Form and email it to doglicensing@summerland.ca or drop it at Municipal Hall (do not include payment). The Finance Department emails an invoice within five business days; pay it, then your tag is issued.
  - Source: [Dog Licencing, Register a new dog](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/dog-licencing-control)
  - Official wording: "Submit the form by email to doglicensing@summerland.ca, or drop it off at Municipal Hall." … "Pay your licence once you receive the confirmation email"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: 1st offence $100 ($90 if paid within 14 days; $110 after 28 days), 2nd $250 ($225; $275), 3rd and later $500 ($450; $500). Municipal ticket: $250, $500, $1,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025), Schedule A, Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw s. 8](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No valid licence:" … "1st offence $100.00 $90.00 $110.00" … "2nd offence $250.00 $225.00 $275.00" … "3rd & subsequent offence $500.00 $450.00 $500.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025), Schedule 10, s. 8](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/mti-system-bylaw-95-030---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No valid licence: 8." … "1st offence $250.00" … "2nd offence $500.00" … "3rd & subsequent offence $1000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw No. 2017-024 (licence required); fees are in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 98-001, Schedule N.
  - Source: [Dog Licencing, Owner Responsibility](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/dog-licencing-control)
  - Official wording: "Please consult the Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw No. 2017-024 for more information."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule N (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "DOG CONTROL – LICENSING AND PENALTY CHARGES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf), anyone who owns a dog and lives in the District of Summerland for more than 30 days must licence it each year. The District issues the licence itself: you register with Bylaw Services, and the Finance Department sets up your account and payment. The fees are in [Schedule N of the Fees and Charges Bylaw](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf).

## Steps

1. Fill in the online registration form, or download the New Dog Registration Form (PDF).
2. Email it to doglicensing@summerland.ca or drop it off at Municipal Hall. Do not include payment.
3. Wait for Finance to email an invoice (within five business days).
4. Pay the invoice, and your tag is issued.

## Good to know

- Renewal: licences expire December 31 and must be renewed by the end of January. Renewal notices are mailed in December. Each dog gets one lifetime tag, so only the licence is renewed.
- Late: $10 is added after January 31.
- The District's page mentions reduced fees for licences bought after July 1, but the fee schedule lists no such rate. Confirm with the District before relying on it.
- No senior or other discount was found in the fee schedule.
- Unlicensed dog, bylaw notice: $100 first offence, $250 second, $500 third and later ($90, $225 and $450 if paid within 14 days; $110, $275 and $500 after 28 days). A municipal ticket is $250, $500 and $1,000.

## What you'll need

- Dog's name, breed, colour, sex and whether spayed or neutered
- Owner name, address, email and phone
- Vet proof or sworn declaration of spay or neuter, for the lower fee
- Certification for a guide, service or RCMP dog

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Licencing page and New Dog Registration Form](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/dog-licencing-control)
- [Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Summerland dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/how-many-pets.md)
- [Summerland rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dangerous-dogs.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/dog-licence.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/dog-licence.md)
- [West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dog-licence.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/dog-licence.md)
- [Keremeos](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/dog-licence.md)
- [Oliver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oliver/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Dog Licencing, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/city-services/dog-licencing-control) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Responsible Dog Owner Bylaw 2017-024 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2017-024---responsible-dog-owner-bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule N (consolidated to Feb 10, 2026) (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 95-030 (consolidated to Dec 9, 2025) (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/mti-system-bylaw-95-030---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Summerland. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/dog-licence/_