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

# Vernon dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Regional district (Regional District of North Okanagan, https://www.rdno.ca)  
**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:**
- Online: Apply or renew (DocuPet), https://rdno.docupet.com
- Phone: DocuPet, 1-855-249-1370
- In person: Regional District of North Okanagan office, 9848 Aberdeen Road, Coldstream, BC (250-550-3700. The District of Coldstream and Village of Lumby offices also sell licences. Check hours and payment methods first.)
- Email: RDNO Dog Control, dogbylaw@rdno.ca

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** 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.
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 8, 9, 13](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Dog Licensing Information](https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense)
  - Official wording: "All dogs three (3) months or older living in North Okanagan must have a license and wear a valid license tag."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** 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.
  - Source: [DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Dog Licensing Information](https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $25 for one year. The fee schedule lists one annual fee and does not give a separate rate for spayed or neutered dogs.
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule A, item 1](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Annual Licence Fee effective January 1, 2023 $25.00"
  - Source: [DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Fee Categories](https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense)
  - Official wording: "Annual Dog License Fee $25"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $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.
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule A, item 1](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Annual Licence Fee effective January 1, 2023 $25.00"
  - Source: [DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Fee Categories](https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense)
  - Official wording: "Annual Dog License Fee $25"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** 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.
  - Source: [DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Fee Categories](https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense)
  - Official wording: "Late Fee $15" … "Replacement Tag $5" … "Registered Service Dog $0"
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule A, items 2-4](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Replacement Tag $5.00" … "Certified Guide Dog No charge"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** 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.
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 11, 12](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Dog Licensing Information](https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense)
  - Official wording: "Licenses are good for a calendar year and expire on the date of purchase."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** 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.
  - Source: [DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: $300 ($240 if paid within 14 days). Municipal ticket: $300. Repeat offences and nuisance dogs are charged double.
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule G](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Keeping an Unlicensed Dog $300.00" … "Nuisance Dogs are charged double the applicable Fine"
  - Source: [https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf, Schedule A, Appendix 4](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Keeping an Unlicensed Dog 8 $300.00 $240.00 Yes"
  - Source: [DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Dog Licensing Information](https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense)
  - Official wording: "Failure to license a dog, could result in a fine of $300 for Keeping an Unlicensed Dog."
  - Source: [https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf, Bylaw 2908, Schedule E (Dog Control Bylaw 2881)](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Keeping an Unlicensed Dog 8 $300.00" … "Nuisance Dogs are charged double the applicable Fine."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (Regional District of North Okanagan)
  - Source: [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 1](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw shall be cited as" … "Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Dog 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.

## Steps

1. Go to rdno.docupet.com, or phone DocuPet at 1-855-249-1370.
2. 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.
3. Pay the $25 fee.
4. Put the tag on your dog's collar or harness.

## Good to know

- The fee schedule lists one annual fee and no separate rate for spayed or neutered dogs.
- Repeat offences and nuisance dogs are charged double.
- Impound fees are separate: $50 for a first impound, then $100, $200 and $400 in a calendar year.

## Official forms and pages

- [RDNO Dog License Information](https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense)
- [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881 (PDF)](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dog-licence.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/dog-licence.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/dog-licence.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/dog-licence.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/dog-licence.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/doglicense) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2881_C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf](https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.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 Regional District of North Okanagan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/dog-licence/_