How many dogs or cats you can keep in West Vancouver
How many dogs or cats can I keep in West Vancouver?
Short answer
West Vancouver allows up to three dogs and six cats per home. Each dog over six months must wear a current District tag.
Key facts
| Dogs allowed | West Vancouver allows up to three dogs and six cats per home.Dogs · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording* no more than three dogs are allowed per home—and no more than six cats |
|---|---|
| Cats allowed | Up to six cats per home.Dogs · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording* no more than three dogs are allowed per home—and no more than six cats |
| Other animal limits | Not confirmed. Checked Dogs, Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008; not found there. |
| Exceptions | The three-dog limit exempts the animal control facility and lawfully licensed pet stores, veterinary clinics, pet care establishments and dog-walking businesses.Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008, Section 6.3.1, number of dogs · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wording6.3 Number of Dogs Allowed 6.3.1 No person may keep, or permit to be kept, more than three dogs on any parcel except at the Animal Control Facility, or in the lawful and licensed operation of a pet store, veterinary medical clinic, pet care establishment, or a Dog Walking Business. |
| Fine | Keeping more than three dogs carries a $500 notice ($475 early, $500 late).Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004, Animal Control and Licence schedule, section 6.3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingAmendment Section Description Late Bylaw No. Penalty Payment Payment Available (*Maximum 50% Penalty Penalty Reduction in Penalty Amount Where Compliance Agreement is Shown as “Yes”) Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008 4559, 2008 6.3.1 Keep more than three dogs $500.00 $475.00 $500.00 YES |
| Bylaw | Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008.Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008, PDF p. 1, bylaw title and consolidation · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09Official wordingAnimal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008 Effective Date – June 2, 2008 Consolidated for Convenience Only This is a consolidation of the bylaws below. The amendment bylaws have been combined with the original bylaw for convenience only. This consolidation is not a legal document. Certified copies of the original bylaws should be consulted for all |
How it works
When counting pets, check who the limit applies to and which animals it includes. A rule written for one person, one household or one property can produce different answers for people sharing a home. The three-dog limit exempts the animal control facility and lawfully licensed pet stores, veterinary clinics, pet care establishments and dog-walking businesses.
Steps
- Read the household limits in Dogs. List the species and ages of the animals that would live at the address, including the ones already there.
- Read the wording for that species. If the plan involves boarding, breeding or fostering, ask whether the address and activity fall under a separate provision.
Good to know
- Keeping more than three dogs carries a $500 notice ($475 early, $500 late).
- Apply online or at West Vancouver Community Centre, Gleneagles Community Centre or the West Vancouver SPCA.
- Give the office the actual numbers when asking about an exception. A licence for an individual animal answers a different question from how many may be kept together.
- For a question about the limit for your combination of animals and whether an exception applies, call the Municipal Hall at 604-925-7000.
- Read the applicable provisions in Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004 (PDF) and Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008 (PDF).
The same question in other places
Bowen Island · Lions Bay · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver · Richmond · Gibsons
Sources
- Dogs (read 2026-11-09)
- Dog licences and 2026 fees (read 2026-11-09)
- Consolidated Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 4368, 2004 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- West Vancouver municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 6 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.