Whistler dog licences: fees and how to get one
How do I get a dog licence in Whistler, and what does it cost?
Short answer
In Whistler, dog licences are issued by the Resort Municipality (RMOW). Every dog over 6 months old needs one each calendar year. The fee is $25 for a spayed or neutered dog (with a veterinarian's certificate) and $50 for one that is not.
Key facts
| Licence required | Yes. Every dog over 6 months old kept in Whistler needs a licence for the current calendar year. A dog kept in Whistler less than one month in a calendar year is exempt if it has a valid licence from another jurisdiction.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, ss. 8, 9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall own, keep, possess or harbour any dog over the age of 6 months in the RMOW unless a valid and subsisting licence for the current calendar year has been obtained for the dog under this Bylaw. does not apply to a dog that is kept in the RMOW for less than one month in a calendar year and for which a valid and subsisting dog licence has been obtained from another jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Issued by | The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW). Licences are sold at Municipal Hall or at Whistler Animals Galore (WAG), the animal shelter, which receives 50 per cent of proceeds from licences it sells.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, ss. 10, 60; Dogs in Whistler, Dog licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingapply to the RMOW for a licence in the form prescribed by the Bylaw Supervisor The animal shelter manager must pay to the RMOW 50 percent of all funds received by them for licence fees. Licences are available at Municipal Hall or Whistler Animals Galore (WAG). WAG receives 50 per cent of proceeds for licences purchased at the animal shelter. |
| Fee, spayed or neutered | $25 for a neutered male or spayed female dog. The owner must provide a certificate signed by a veterinarian to get this fee.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, Schedule B (a); s. 17 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNeutered male or spayed female $25 a certificate signed by a qualified veterinarian indicating that a dog has been neutered or spayed |
| Fee, not spayed or neutered | $50.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, Schedule B (b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOther than (a) above $50 |
| Other fees and discounts | Guide, service, police service and Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association dogs: $0. New licences issued August 1 to December 31: 50 per cent of the fee (not for renewals or dogs eligible before August 1). Replacement tag: $10. Aggressive dog: $100; vicious dog: $200.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, Schedule B (c)-(f), General · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingGuide Dog/ Service Dog/ Police Services Dog/ Canadian Avalanche and Rescue Dog Association Dog (CARDA) $0 New licences issued from August 1 to December 31 of any given year shall be subject to a fee equal to 50 per cent of the above noted fees. Replacement of licence $10 Aggressive Dog $100 Vicious Dog $200 |
| Renewal | Licences run January 1 to December 31 and expire on December 31. Renew annually, starting January 1.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, s. 14; Dogs in Whistler, Dog licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingshall expire on the 31st day of December in the calendar year in which the licence was issued Licences must be renewed annually, starting on January 1. |
| How to get one | In person at Municipal Hall or at Whistler Animals Galore (WAG). Renewals can also be done online through the RMOW's online dog licence renewal service (needs the account number and access code from the renewal notice). Help: Financial Services, 604-932-5535, finance@whistler.ca.Dogs in Whistler, Dog licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingRenewals can be done in person or online through the RMOW’s online dog licence renewal service. To renew online, users need the account number and access code as listed on the renewal notices. Financial Services 604-932-5535 finance@whistler.ca |
| Fine, unlicensed dog | Bylaw notice: $150 if paid within 14 days, otherwise $200. Municipal ticket: $200 (offence 'Fail to licence', s. 8).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018, Schedule A, Schedule A, Animal Responsibility; Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005, Schedule B2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFail to licence 8 $150 $200 Yes Fail to licence 8 $200 |
| Bylaw | Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 2218, 2019 |
How it works
The Resort Municipality of Whistler runs dog licensing under its Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218. Every dog over 6 months old kept in Whistler needs a licence for the current calendar year. A dog that is in Whistler less than one month in a calendar year is exempt if it has a valid licence from another jurisdiction.
Steps
- Buy a new licence in person at Municipal Hall or at Whistler Animals Galore (WAG).
- For the $25 fee, give a certificate signed by a veterinarian showing the dog is neutered or spayed.
- To renew, use the online renewal service on the Dogs in Whistler page (you need the account number and access code from your renewal notice), or go in person.
- For help, call Financial Services at 604-932-5535 or email finance@whistler.ca.
Good to know
- A new licence issued from August 1 to December 31 costs 50 per cent of the fee. This does not apply to renewals or to dogs that were already eligible before August 1.
- Aggressive dogs carry a $100 fee and vicious dogs a $200 fee. See the dangerous dogs answer.
- An unlicensed dog can bring a bylaw notice of $150 (paid within 14 days) or $200, or a municipal ticket of $200.
- Whistler Animals Galore keeps 50 per cent of the proceeds of licences it sells.
What you'll need
- Veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered, for the lower fee
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Pemberton · Squamish · Lions Bay · Anmore · District of North Vancouver · Bowen Island
Sources
- Dogs in Whistler, Resort Municipality of Whistler (read 2026-11-06)
- Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018, Schedule A (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
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.