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How many dogs or cats you can keep in Whistler

How many dogs or cats can I keep in Whistler?

Whistler, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Whistler, you may keep no more than 4 dogs over 8 weeks old and no more than 5 cats over 12 weeks old on any property, and no more than 6 companion animals in total. The fine is $150 by bylaw notice if paid within 14 days, otherwise $250.

Key facts

Dogs allowedNo more than 4 dogs over 8 weeks old on any real property (and no more than 6 companion animals in total).Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, s. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
No person shall keep or allow to be kept on any real property more than 6 companion animals, consisting of not more than 4 dogs over the age of 8 weeks and not more than 5 cats over the age of 12 weeks.
Cats allowedNo more than 5 cats over 12 weeks old on any real property (within the total of 6 companion animals).Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, s. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
not more than 5 cats over the age of 12 weeks
Other animal limitsA combined limit of 6 companion animals per property. Schedule A lists prohibited animals that cannot be kept at all (for example all ungulates, most birds including chickens, and all venomous reptiles).Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, ss. 3, 5; Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
more than 6 companion animals
all ungulates
all birds (quail, pheasant, pigeon, chicken, duck, goose and turkey) except budgie, cockatiel, lovebird, finch, and canary
ExceptionsSections 3 and 5 do not apply to: impounded-animal facilities; police or RCMP; the BC SPCA; a vet giving temporary care; Wildlife Act permit holders; CCAC-accredited education or research; and ungulates, lagomorphs or birds on agricultural land. Zoning also allows up to 100 commercial sled dogs in the IP2 zone, Nov 1 to Apr 30.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, s. 6; Zoning and Parking Bylaw No. 303, 2015, Part 10, IP2 zone, s. 2(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Sections 3 and 5 do not apply to:
the keeping of ungulates, lagomorphs or birds on land designated under the RMOW Zoning Bylaw for agricultural use.
kennelling of not more than 100 commercial sled dogs between November 1 of
FineKeeping of excessive companion animals (s. 3): bylaw notice $150 if paid within 14 days, otherwise $250. Municipal ticket: $250.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 2026-11-06
Official wording
Keeping of excessive companion 3 $150 $250 Yes
Keeping of excessive companion animals 3 $250
BylawAnimal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 2218, 2019

How it works

The Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218 limits how many companion animals you can keep on one property in Whistler. A companion animal is a domesticated animal kept for companionship that may lawfully be kept on residential property.

Good to know

  • The limits are 4 dogs over 8 weeks old, 5 cats over 12 weeks old, and 6 companion animals in all.
  • Some animals cannot be kept at all. The bylaw's Schedule A lists prohibited animals, for example all ungulates (hoofed animals), most birds including chickens, and all venomous reptiles. See the backyard chickens answer.
  • The limits do not apply to animal impoundment facilities, police or the RCMP, the BC SPCA, a veterinarian giving temporary care, Wildlife Act permit holders, accredited education or research facilities, or ungulates, rabbits and hares, or birds on agricultural land.
  • The Zoning and Parking Bylaw No. 303 also allows up to 100 commercial sled dogs in the IP2 zone from November 1 to April 30.
  • The fine for keeping too many animals is a bylaw notice of $150 if paid within 14 days, otherwise $250, or a municipal ticket of $250.
  • Questions go to Bylaw Services at 604-935-8280.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Pemberton · Squamish · Lions Bay · Anmore · District of North Vancouver · Bowen Island

Dog and cat limits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Dogs in Whistler (Bylaw Services contact), Resort Municipality of Whistler (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Zoning and Parking Bylaw No. 303, 2015 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 2218, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018, Schedule A (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  5. 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 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.