Tofino dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

Tofino, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Tofino, every dog over four months old needs a District of Tofino licence and tag. The fee is $15 a year for a spayed or neutered dog and $40 for one that is not. Pay at the District Administration Office.

Key facts

Licence required	Yes. Every dog over four months old must have a valid licence and tag.Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), s. 7(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording No person shall own, possess or harbour any dog over the age of four (4) months within the boundaries of the District unless a valid and subsisting dog license and dog tag has been issued for such dog.
Issued by	The District of Tofino. Fees are paid at the District Administration Office.Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), s. 2 (definition of License); s. 7(i) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording means a license for a dog or kennel issued by the District of Tofino shall be payable at the District Administration Office
Fee, spayed or neutered	$15 a year for a spayed female or neutered male dog ($7.50 if bought after August 31).Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Spayed female or Neutered male dogs $15.00 Spayed female or Neutered male dogs $7.50
Fee, not spayed or neutered	$40 a year for a dog that is not spayed or neutered ($20 if bought after August 31).Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Non-Spayed or Non-Neutered $40.00 Non-Spayed or Non-Neutered $20.00
Other fees and discounts	Dogs belonging to seniors: $5 ($2.50 after August 31). Replacement tag: $5 ($2.50 after August 31). Transfer of licence to another dog: $5 ($2.50 after August 31). Kennel licence: $100 ($50 after August 31).Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Dogs belonging to Seniors $5.00 Replacement Tags $5.00 Transfer of License $5.00 Kennel License $100.00
Renewal	Licences run from January 1 to December 31 of the year issued (or the rest of that year, at the reduced fee after August 31).Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), s. 7 (Period of License) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording All Dog Licenses shall be for the period from January1st to December 31st of the year issued
How to get one	Pay the fee at the District Administration Office. Proof that the dog is spayed or neutered is needed for the lower fee.Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), s. 7(b), 7(i) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording shall be payable at the District Administration Office Prior to issuance of a license for a spayed female dog or a neutered male dog, the Animal Control Officer shall require the owner to furnish proof that the dog has been spayed or neutered.
Fine, unlicensed dog	Bylaw notice: $50 ($40 if paid within 14 days; $60 if paid 61 days or more after delivery). Municipal ticket: $50 ($25 if paid within 7 business days of issue).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1107 (consolidated), Schedule A (Animal Control Bylaw 7(a)); Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 1088 (consolidated), Schedule 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Unlicensed Dog 7(a) Yes $50 $40 $60 50% Unlicensed Dog 7(a) $50.00 Fines as set out in all Schedules with the exception of Schedule 7 are reduced by 50% if the fine is paid within 7 business days of the date of issuance of the Municipal Ticketing Information.
Bylaw	District of Tofino Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001 (consolidated), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording District of Tofino Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866, 2001

How it works

The District of Tofino issues dog licences under its Animal Control and Licensing Regulation Bylaw No. 866. No one may own or keep a dog over four months old in the District without a valid licence and tag. Licences are issued to a person 19 or older, or to a younger person with a parent's or guardian's written consent.

Steps

Take proof that the dog is spayed or neutered (a veterinarian's certificate, or the declaration form in the bylaw) if you want the lower fee.
Pay the fee at the District Administration Office. The District's pages do not mention online or mail options.
Keep the tag on the dog.

Good to know

The bylaw sets no late fee and no early-payment discount.
No fee is payable for a dog trained to assist law enforcement or a person with a disability, but it must still be registered and wear a tag.
Tell the District within 7 days if the dog is sold or otherwise gone.
More than two dogs needs a kennel licence. See the pet limits answer.
An unlicensed dog: a bylaw notice is $50 ($40 if paid within 14 days; $60 if paid 61 days or more after delivery). A municipal ticket is $50 ($25 if paid within 7 business days of issue). Not displaying the licence is also $50.