{"title":"Vernon dog licences: fees and how to get one","question":"How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?","slug":"dog-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"regional","owner_label":"Regional district","owner_body":{"name":"Regional District of North Okanagan","url":"https://www.rdno.ca"},"short_answer":"In the City of Vernon, dog licences are issued by the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO), not the City. Every dog three months or older needs one. The fee is $25 for one year, with no separate rate for spayed or neutered dogs. Apply or renew online at rdno.docupet.com.","aliases":["dog license vernon","dog tag vernon","renew dog licence vernon","how much is a dog licence in vernon","docupet vernon"],"cost":"$25 for one year. Late fee $15 if unpaid after the expiry date. Replacement tag $5. Certified guide dog: no charge. Registered service dog $0 with a guide dog and service dog certificate. No discounts are listed. Fine for an unlicensed dog: bylaw notice $300 ($240 if paid within 14 days); municipal ticket $300.","how_long":"A licence expires one year after the date it was issued.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Apply or renew (DocuPet)","value":"https://rdno.docupet.com"},{"type":"phone","label":"DocuPet","value":"1-855-249-1370"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Regional District of North Okanagan office","value":"9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream, BC","note":"250-550-3700. The District of Coldstream and Village of Lumby offices also sell licences. Check hours and payment methods first."},{"type":"email","label":"RDNO Dog Control","value":"dogbylaw@rdno.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"RDNO Dog License Information","url":"https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense"},{"title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881 (PDF)","url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-leash-rules","title":"Vernon dog leash rules and off-leash areas","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/dog-leash-rules/"},{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/how-many-pets/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/dog-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/enderby","name":"Enderby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/dog-licence/"}],"topic":{"title":"Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence/"},"facts":{"required":{"label":"Licence required","value":"Yes. Every dog three months or older must be licensed within 30 days of becoming a resident of the service area (which includes the City of Vernon), and must wear its tag whenever off the owner's property.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"s. 8, 9, 13","quotes":["No person shall keep, harbour or have in their possession any Dog unless a Licence","within (30) days of the Dog becoming an inhabitant within the Service Area","as soon as his or her Dog is three (3) months of age","Each Dog Owner is required to ensure a Dog is wearing a Dog Tag whenever the Dog is elsewhere than on the premises of the Owner."]},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense","title":"DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Dog Licensing Information","quotes":["All dogs three (3) months or older living in North Okanagan must have a license and wear a valid license tag."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"issued_by":{"label":"Issued by","value":"The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO), through its DocuPet Dog Licensing Program. Its Greater Vernon/White Valley service area includes the City of Vernon.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense","title":"DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Dog Licensing Information","quotes":["The Regional District provides Dog Control services and the DocuPet Dog Licensing Program for the Greater Vernon/White Valley service area, which includes the City of Vernon"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee_altered":{"label":"Fee, spayed or neutered","value":"$25 for one year. The fee schedule lists one annual fee and does not give a separate rate for spayed or neutered dogs.","short":"$25 a year (one fee for all dogs)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Schedule A, item 1","quotes":["Annual Licence Fee effective January 1, 2023 $25.00"]},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense","title":"DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Fee Categories","quotes":["Annual Dog License Fee $25"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee_unaltered":{"label":"Fee, not spayed or neutered","value":"$25 for one year. The fee schedule lists one annual fee and does not give a separate rate for dogs that are not spayed or neutered.","short":"$25 a year (one fee for all dogs)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Schedule A, item 1","quotes":["Annual Licence Fee effective January 1, 2023 $25.00"]},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense","title":"DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Fee Categories","quotes":["Annual Dog License Fee $25"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_fees":{"label":"Other fees and discounts","value":"Late fee $15 if unpaid after the expiry date. Replacement tag $5. Certified guide dog: no charge. Registered service dog $0 with a guide dog and service dog certificate. The fee schedule lists no discounts.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense","title":"DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Fee Categories","quotes":["Late Fee $15","Replacement Tag $5","Registered Service Dog $0"]},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Schedule A, items 2-4","quotes":["Replacement Tag $5.00","Certified Guide Dog No charge"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Each licence expires one year after the date it was issued. A $15 late fee applies if the licence fee is unpaid after the expiry date.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"s. 11, 12","quotes":["Every Licence issued under this Bylaw shall expire one (1) year from the date the Licence was issued.","Licence fees that are unpaid after the expiry date will be charged a late fee"]},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense","title":"DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Dog Licensing Information","quotes":["Licenses are good for a calendar year and expire on the date of purchase."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_get":{"label":"How to get one","value":"Online at rdno.docupet.com; by phone with DocuPet at 1-855-249-1370; or in person at the RDNO office (9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream; 250-550-3700), the District of Coldstream office or the Village of Lumby office.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense","title":"DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Frequently Asked Questions","quotes":["Online: Visit rdno.docupet.com to register or renew your license.","By Phone: Call DocuPet by phone at 1-855-249-1370 to process your dog license over the phone.","9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream, BC V1B 2K9 250-550-3700"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine_unlicensed":{"label":"Fine, unlicensed dog","value":"Bylaw notice: $300 ($240 if paid within 14 days). Municipal ticket: $300. Repeat offences and nuisance dogs are charged double.","short":"Notice $300 ($240 if paid in 14 days); ticket $300","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Schedule G","quotes":["Keeping an Unlicensed Dog $300.00","Nuisance Dogs are charged double the applicable Fine"]},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf","title":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf","section":"Schedule A, Appendix 4","quotes":["Keeping an Unlicensed Dog 8 $300.00 $240.00 Yes"]},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense","title":"DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"Dog Licensing Information","quotes":["Failure to license a dog, could result in a fine of $300 for Keeping an Unlicensed Dog."]},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf","title":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf","section":"Bylaw 2908, Schedule E (Dog Control Bylaw 2881)","quotes":["Keeping an Unlicensed Dog 8 $300.00","Nuisance Dogs are charged double the applicable Fine."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (Regional District of North Okanagan)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw shall be cited as","Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":9,"stated":9,"matched":9,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nDog control in Greater Vernon is a Regional District of North Okanagan service, and its [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881](<https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf>) covers the City of Vernon. You must license a dog within 30 days of it becoming a resident of the service area, and the dog must wear its tag whenever it is off your property. The City's own animal bylaw (5252) does not cover dogs.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Go to rdno.docupet.com, or phone DocuPet at 1-855-249-1370.\n2. Or go in person to the RDNO office in Coldstream, the District of Coldstream office or the Village of Lumby office. The RDNO page lists no City of Vernon location.\n3. Pay the $25 fee.\n4. Put the tag on your dog's collar or harness.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The fee schedule lists one annual fee and no separate rate for spayed or neutered dogs.\n- Repeat offences and nuisance dogs are charged double.\n- Impound fees are separate: $50 for a first impound, then $100, $200 and $400 in a calendar year.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense","title":"DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf","title":"Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf","title":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf","title":"https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 9 of 9 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/dog-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/dog-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/dog-licence.json"}}