---
title: How many dogs or cats you can keep in West Kelowna
question: "How many dogs or cats can I keep?"
place: West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/west-kelowna
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: regional
owner_body: Regional District of Central Okanagan
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/how-many-pets/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/how-many-pets.json"
---

# How many dogs or cats you can keep in West Kelowna

**Question:** How many dogs or cats can I keep?

**Short answer:** In West Kelowna, no more than 3 dogs over three months old may be kept in a house or dwelling unit, under the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) dog bylaw. No fixed number is set for cats, only pets "in a reasonable number" that do not bother neighbours.

**Who handles it:** Regional district (Regional District of Central Okanagan, https://www.rdco.com)  
**Cost:** Hobby kennel permit $125. More than 3 dogs: RDCO bylaw notice $100 or municipal ticket $100. Too many animals on a small lot: City $200; RDCO's own schedules list $150 first offence and $250.  
**How long:** Not applicable.  
**Where:**
- Phone: RDCO Dog Control, 250-469-6284
- Phone: RDCO dog licences, 250-469-6344
- Phone: City of West Kelowna Bylaw Compliance, 778-797-8810

## Key facts

- **Dogs allowed:** No more than 3 dogs over three months old in a house or dwelling unit. Guide and service dogs (registered under the Guide Animal Act) do not count toward the limit.
  - Source: [RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), ss. 14, 15](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall keep, harbour, or have in possession more than 3 dogs over the age of" … "Any dog registered under the Guide Animal Act and resides with a person for whom the"
  - Source: [Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Dog licences page](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Maximum of three dogs allowed per single family dwelling."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Cats allowed:** No fixed number is set. The Animal Control Bylaw allows pets 'in a reasonable number' if they are kept primarily within the household and do not create a nuisance to neighbours.
  - Source: [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000, s. 2.4](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf)
  - Official wording: "pets may be kept in a reasonable number on all parcels" … "primarily within the household to which they are associated and their" … "keeping does not create a nuisance to persons on adjacent parcels."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other animal limits:** Pets (all kinds) are allowed 'in a reasonable number', kept mainly in the household, without nuisance to neighbours. Livestock, poultry and rabbits are limited by lot size (see backyard-chickens). Pigeons: none under 400 m², up to 50 on lots 400 m² to 1 hectare.
  - Source: [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000, ss. 2.4, 2.7](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf)
  - Official wording: "pets may be kept in a reasonable number on all parcels" … "On parcels of less than 400 m2 pigeon keeping will not be permitted." … "On parcels greater than 400 m2 and less than 1 hectare in area not more than 50"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Exceptions:** More than 3 dogs are allowed only for a hobby kennel (4 to 20 dogs, with a Kennel Operation Permit and only where the zone permits it), a service kennel, a vet clinic, or a dog business that does not give overnight care. Hobby kennel caps: 4 dogs on 0.25 to 1 ha, 8 on 1 to 4 ha, 20 over 4 ha.
  - Source: [RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), ss. 14, 42](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "except as provided" … "for persons operating a Hobby Kennel, Service Kennel, veterinary clinic, or other dog" … "On properties with a lot area of 0.25 hectares to 1 hectare, a maximum of 4" … "On properties with a lot area of 1 to 4 hectares, a maximum of 8 dogs may be" … "On properties with a lot area greater than 4 hectares, a maximum of 20 dogs"
  - Source: [Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Kennel licences](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Land use bylaws for each local government state whether or not a kennel is permitted and any other conditions that must be met."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** More than 3 dogs: RDCO bylaw notice $100 (early payment discount $25, late penalty $25); RDCO municipal ticket $100. Too many animals on a small lot (Animal Control Bylaw 880): City bylaw notice and ticket $200; RDCO's own schedules list $150 first offence and $250 for a municipal ticket. (Sources differ: see the sources)
  - Source: [RDCO Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1538 (consolidated), Bylaw 1538, Schedule A, Appendix 1](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/vovoh2ok/bl1538-bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Keep more than 3 dogs 14 100.00 25.00 25.00 Y"
  - Source: [RDCO Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated), Bylaw 1537, Schedule B, Appendix 1](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/fknipfoc/bl1537-ticket-information-and-utilization-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Keep more than 3 dogs 14 100.00"
  - Source: [City of West Kelowna Bylaw Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 0093 (consolidated), Bylaw 0093, Schedule 3](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Keep animals on undersize parcel 2.1.1 $200.00" … "Ticket offences for Regional District of Central Okanagan Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Regional District of Central Okanagan Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014 (dogs); Regional District of Central Okanagan Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (other animals).
  - Source: [RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated), s. 2](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Regional District of Central Okanagan Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343, 2014"
  - Source: [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000, s. 4.2](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Regional District of Central Okanagan Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Dog numbers in West Kelowna are set by the RDCO's [Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf), not by the City. The limit is 3 dogs over three months old in a house or dwelling unit. For other pets, the RDCO [Animal Control Bylaw No. 880](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf) allows pets "in a reasonable number" if they are kept mainly within the household and do not create a nuisance to neighbours. It sets no number for cats.

## Steps

1. Count dogs over three months old in your home. If you have 3 or fewer, license each one with the RDCO.
2. To keep more, you need a hobby kennel (4 to 20 dogs) with a Kennel Operation Permit ($125), and only where your zone allows it.
3. Ask RDCO Dog Control (250-469-6284) or City Bylaw Compliance about your property.

## Good to know

- Guide and service dogs registered under the Guide Animal Act do not count toward the 3-dog limit.
- More than 3 dogs is also allowed for a service kennel, a vet clinic, or a dog business that does not give overnight care.
- Hobby kennel caps: 4 dogs on 0.25 to 1 hectare, 8 on 1 to 4 hectares, 20 over 4 hectares.
- Livestock, poultry and rabbits are limited by lot size (see backyard-chickens). Pigeons: none under 400 m²; up to 50 on lots of 400 m² to 1 hectare.
- Fines: more than 3 dogs is a $100 RDCO bylaw notice (early-payment discount $25, late penalty $25) or a $100 RDCO municipal ticket. For too many animals on a small lot, the City's bylaw notice and ticket are $200, but the RDCO's own schedules list $150 first offence and $250 for a ticket. Confirm which applies with the City or RDCO.
- Cats: no limit and no licence is stated in the bylaws read.

## Official forms and pages

- [RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf)
- [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf)

## Related questions

- [West Kelowna dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dog-licence.md)
- [West Kelowna backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-chickens.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/how-many-pets.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/how-many-pets.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/how-many-pets.md)
- [Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/how-many-pets.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/how-many-pets.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/how-many-pets.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/how-many-pets.md)

## Sources

- [RDCO Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1343 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/sueey4fq/bl1343-consolidated-regulate-license-control-responsible-dog-ownership-2023.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [RDCO Animal Control Bylaw No. 880, 2000 (PDF)](https://www.rdco.com/media/pqxf2auy/bl0880-control-animals.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Dog licences, Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/dog-licences-and-control/dog-licences/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [RDCO Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1538 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/vovoh2ok/bl1538-bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [RDCO Ticket Information and Utilization Bylaw No. 1537 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/rdco-ca/media/fknipfoc/bl1537-ticket-information-and-utilization-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [City of West Kelowna Bylaw Dispute Adjudication Bylaw No. 0093 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Regional District of Central Okanagan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/how-many-pets/_