Trail dog licences: fees and how to get one
How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?
Short answer
Every dog four months or older in the City of Trail needs a City licence each calendar year, sold in person at City Hall. A spayed or neutered dog costs $25 a year (veterinarian's certificate required). A dog that is not spayed or neutered costs $75 under the bylaw.
Key facts
| Licence required | Yes. Every dog aged 4 months or older needs a valid licence for the current calendar year. Dogs under 4 months need none.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, s. 6.1, 6.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingunless a valid and subsisting Dog Licence for the current calendar year has been obtained for the Dog A licence is not required for a dog less than 4 months in age. |
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| Issued by | The City of Trail. Licences are sold at City Hall, 1394 Pine Avenue.Dog Licensing, Dog Licensing page; Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, s. 3 definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLicences are available at City Hall at the following rates: City of Trail, 1394 Pine Avenue, Trail, BC, V1R 4E6 a Dog licence issued by the municipality |
| Fee, spayed or neutered | $25 a year for a neutered male or spayed female. A veterinarian's certificate is required.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, Schedule A; Dog Licensing, Dog Licensing page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFor each neutered male dog For each spayed female dog (A certificate from a qualified veterinarian is required) $25.00 (A certificate from a qualified veterinarian is required) Neutered Male/Spayed Female: $25 |
| Fee, not spayed or neutered | $75 a year for each male or female dog that is not neutered or spayed (Animal Control Bylaw Schedule A).Sources differ: The City's Dog Licensing web page still says $100 for an unneutered male or unspayed female and $300 for a 'Pit Bull'. Bylaw No. 2970 (adopted Feb. 23, 2026, repealing Bylaw 2436) sets $75 and has no breed fee, so the web page looks out of date. The bylaw value is used.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, Schedule A; Dog Licensing, Dog Licensing page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFor each male dog – per year $75.00 For each female dog – per year $75.00 Unneutered Male/Unspayed Female: $100 |
| Other fees and discounts | Half fee if a dog not previously licensed in Trail is licensed after July 1. Transfer of a valid licence from another jurisdiction $10. Replacement tag $5. Service dogs exempt if approved. No senior discount found.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, Schedule A; Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, s. 6.13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe licence fee shall be reduced by one-half (1/2) Transfer for owner holding a valid and current licence $10.00 from another jurisdiction Replacement of a lost/stolen dog licence tag $5.00 The Owner of a Service Dog is exempt from the Dog Licence fees in respect of that Dog |
| Renewal | Every licence expires December 31 of the year it was issued; the licensing year is January 1 to December 31.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, s. 6.10, s. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEvery Dog Licence issued under this Bylaw shall expire on the 31st day of December in the licence year it was issued. “Licensing Year” means that time period between January 1st and December 31st inclusive |
| How to get one | In person at City Hall, 1394 Pine Avenue. For the lower fee, bring a veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered.Dog Licensing, Dog Licensing page; Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, s. 6.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLicences are available at City Hall at the following rates: the application shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by a Veterinarian indicating that the Dog has been Neutered or Spayed |
| Fine, unlicensed dog | Bylaw notice: $50 if paid within 14 days, $100 after that.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEARLY PAYMENT OFFENCE SECTION PENALTY (1–14 Days) Unlicensed dog 6.1 $50.00 $100.00 |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as the “Animal Control Bylaw” No. 2970, 2026 |
How it works
Under the Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, every dog aged four months or older in the City of Trail needs a licence for the current calendar year. Dogs under four months need none. The City sells licences at City Hall, 1394 Pine Avenue.
Steps
- For the $25 fee, get a veterinarian's certificate showing your dog is spayed or neutered.
- Go to City Hall and buy the licence. Neither the City's page nor the bylaw mentions an online or mail option; call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-364-0833 to ask.
- Renew each year. Every licence expires on December 31.
Good to know
- The City's web page lists $100 for a dog that is not spayed or neutered, but the bylaw says $75. The bylaw is followed here, so confirm the amount with City Hall.
- A dog licensed elsewhere that moves to Trail must be licensed within 30 days.
- Aggressive, vicious and dangerous dogs have higher annual fees (see the dangerous dogs answer). A kennel licence is $55.
- An unlicensed dog is a bylaw notice of $50 if paid within 14 days, $100 after that.
- I found no senior discount, early-payment discount or late fee.
What you'll need
- Veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered, for the $25 fee
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Warfield · Rossland · Montrose · Fruitvale · Castlegar · Salmo
Sources
- Dog Licensing, City of Trail (read 2026-11-06)
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 2970, 2026, City of Trail (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.