Vernon dog licences: fees and how to get one

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

Vernon, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

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.Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 8, 9, 13; DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Dog Licensing Information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. All dogs three (3) months or older living in North Okanagan must have a license and wear a valid license tag.
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.DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Dog Licensing Information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule A, item 1; DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Fee Categories · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Annual Licence Fee effective January 1, 2023 $25.00 Annual Dog License Fee $25
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.Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule A, item 1; DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Fee Categories · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Annual Licence Fee effective January 1, 2023 $25.00 Annual Dog License Fee $25
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.DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Fee Categories; Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule A, items 2-4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Late Fee $15 Replacement Tag $5 Registered Service Dog $0 Replacement Tag $5.00 Certified Guide Dog No charge
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.Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 11, 12; DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Dog Licensing Information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Licenses are good for a calendar year and expire on the date of purchase.
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.DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Frequently Asked Questions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
Fine, unlicensed dog	Bylaw notice: $300 ($240 if paid within 14 days). Municipal ticket: $300. Repeat offences and nuisance dogs are charged double.Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, Schedule G; https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2909_C.pdf, Schedule A, Appendix 4; DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan, Dog Licensing Information; https://www.rdno.ca/sites/default/files/2025-03/BL_2908_C.pdf, Bylaw 2908, Schedule E (Dog Control Bylaw 2881) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Keeping an Unlicensed Dog $300.00 Nuisance Dogs are charged double the applicable Fine Keeping an Unlicensed Dog 8 $300.00 $240.00 Yes Failure to license a dog, could result in a fine of $300 for Keeping an Unlicensed Dog. Keeping an Unlicensed Dog 8 $300.00 Nuisance Dogs are charged double the applicable Fine.
Bylaw	Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (Regional District of North Okanagan)Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated), Regional District of North Okanagan, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw shall be cited as Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021

How it works

Dog control in Greater Vernon is a Regional District of North Okanagan service, and its Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881 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

Go to rdno.docupet.com, or phone DocuPet at 1-855-249-1370.
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.
Pay the $25 fee.
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

The same question in other places

Coldstream · Lake Country · Spallumcheen · Armstrong · Lumby · Enderby

Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

DocuPet Dog License Information, Regional District of North Okanagan (read 2026-11-05)
Dog Control Bylaw No. 2881, 2021 (consolidated) (PDF), Regional District of North Okanagan (read 2026-11-05)
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 (read 2026-11-05)

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