West Kelowna dog licences: fees and how to get one
How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?
Short answer
In West Kelowna, dog licences are issued by the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), not the City. Every dog three months or older needs one. The fee is $40 a year if spayed or neutered and $80 if not, or $20 and $60 if paid by the last day of February. Register or renew online.
Key facts
| Licence required | Yes. Every dog three months or older must be licensed and wear its tag at all times, if its owner has lived in the Central Okanagan more than 30 days. Guide and service dogs still need a licence but pay no fee.RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), ss. 10, 11, 12, 15; Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Dog licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEvery person who owns a dog and resides in the Regional District for more than 30 An Owner shall ensure that the dog tag is attached to the collar or harness worn by his shall obtain a license but not be All dogs over three months old must have a licence and wear a tag. Licences are required for dogs living in Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country |
|---|---|
| Issued by | The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), not the City. Licences are sold online and at the RDCO office (1450 KLO Road), and West Kelowna City Hall (3731 Old Okanagan Highway) is listed as a place to get one.Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Where to get a dog licence; Bylaw Compliance, Dogs · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingRegister your dog(s) and pay through our online services portal. West Kelowna City of West Kelowna 3731 Old Okanagan Highway 778-797-1000 For all dog related matters including control and licensing, please: Call 250-469-6284 for Regional District of Central Okanagan Dog Control. |
| Fee, spayed or neutered | $40 a year for a spayed or neutered dog (proof from a vet required). $20 if paid by the last day of February.RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), Schedule B (a), (c); Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Fee categories · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording(a) For each spayed or neutered dog $40.00 License fees for (a) and (b) are discounted by $20.00 if paid by the Dogs - spayed/neutered $40 Must provide proof of spay/neuter. |
| Fee, not spayed or neutered | $80 a year for a dog that is not spayed or neutered. $60 if paid by the last day of February.RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), Schedule B (b), (c); Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Fee categories; Renew your 2026 dog licence early and save, RDCO, News post, Jan. 5, 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording(b) For each unspayed or unneutered dog $80.00 License fees for (a) and (b) are discounted by $20.00 if paid by the Dogs - not spayed/neutered $80 If the dog isn't spayed or neutered the fee is $60. |
| Other fees and discounts | Save $20 if you buy or renew between Dec. 16 and Feb. 28. Replacement tag $5. Licence from another local government transfers free. Registered service dogs $0. Hobby or service kennel permit $125. New dog licences bought after Sept. 30 last to the end of the next year.Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Dog licences page; RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), Schedule B (e), (f) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingSave $20 on your renewal or purchase of a new dog licence between December 16 and February 28. Replacement tags $5 Valid out of area licence transfer $0 Registered service dogs $0 Licences purchased for new dogs after September 30 are valid for the remainder of the year and the next calendar year. (e) A Kennel Operation Permit for a Hobby or Service Kennel $125.00 |
| Renewal | A licence is good for the calendar year and expires December 31. Owners must renew on or before the last day of February each year (the $20 discount applies Dec. 16 to Feb. 28).RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), ss. 11, 17; Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Dog licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingannually on or before the last day of February in each year, or as soon will expire on the thirty-first (31st) day of December of the year in which Licences are good for a calendar year and expire December 31. |
| How to get one | Online through the RDCO online services portal (payments.rdco.com), or in person at the RDCO office (1450 KLO Road), West Kelowna City Hall, other municipal offices or the Kelowna SPCA (by appointment). New licences need vet proof of spay/neuter for the lower fee. Phone 250-469-6344.Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan, How to register/renew; Where to get a dog licence; Renew your 2026 dog licence early and save, RDCO, News post, Jan. 5, 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingRegister your dog(s) and pay through our online services portal. Newly spayed/neutered? You will need the vet receipt to verify your dog has been spayed/neutered for the discounted rate. Dog licences 1450 KLO Road Kelowna, BC, V1W 3Z4 Send an email to dog licences Phone: 250-469-6344 stop by the RDCO offices, municipal offices in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country and Peachland, or the Kelowna SPCA at 3785 Casorso Road |
| Fine, unlicensed dog | RDCO bylaw notice $300 (early payment discount $150; $25 late payment penalty). Municipal ticket $300.RDCO Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1538 (consolidated), Bylaw 1538, Schedule A, Appendix 1; RDCO Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated), Bylaw 1537, Schedule B, Appendix 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo dog license 10 & 11 300.00 150.00 25.00 Y No dog license 10 & 11 300.00 |
| Bylaw | Regional District of Central Okanagan Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), s. 2; Dog licences and control, RDCO, RDCO dogs page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingRegional District of Central Okanagan Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 The RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership | Bylaw No. 1343 guides dog licenses and dog control programs within the Central Okanagan. |
How it works
The City of West Kelowna does not run dog licensing; the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) does, under its Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343. Every dog three months or older must be licensed and wear its tag at all times, if its owner has lived in the Central Okanagan more than 30 days. Guide and service dogs still need a licence but pay no fee.
Steps
- Get proof of spay or neuter from your vet if you want the lower fee.
- Register or renew online through the RDCO online services portal (payments.rdco.com), or in person at the RDCO office, West Kelowna City Hall, other municipal offices or the Kelowna SPCA (by appointment).
- Pay the fee. Phone 250-469-6344 with questions.
- Keep the tag on your dog.
Good to know
- The lower early rate applies if you pay by the last day of February. RDCO's page shows $40 and $80 with the $20 saving; RDCO's January 2026 news post shows the early prices of $20 and $60.
- No seniors discount is listed on the RDCO page or in the bylaw's fee schedule.
- If the dog is spayed or neutered within six months of buying a licence and you show a vet certificate, the bylaw refunds the difference.
- Not having a licence: an RDCO bylaw notice is $300 (with an early-payment discount of $150 and a $25 late-payment penalty); an RDCO municipal ticket is $300.
- Nuisance, aggressive and dangerous dogs pay higher fees; see the dangerous-dogs answer.
What you'll need
- Proof of spay or neuter from your veterinarian for the lower fee
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Peachland · Kelowna · Lake Country · Summerland · Penticton · Vernon
Sources
- Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan (read 2026-11-05)
- Dog licences and control, RDCO (read 2026-11-05)
- RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Renew your 2026 dog licence early and save, RDCO (read 2026-11-05)
- RDCO Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1538 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- RDCO Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Compliance, City of West Kelowna (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. How answers are checked.