---
title: "White Rock dog licences: fees and how to get one"
question: "How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?"
place: White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/white-rock
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of White Rock
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/dog-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/dog-licence.json"
---

# White Rock dog licences: fees and how to get one

**Question:** How do I get a dog licence, and what does it cost?

**Short answer:** Every dog over four months old in White Rock needs a City of White Rock licence each calendar year. Apply or renew online with Dogs eApply or at City Hall. The fee is $25 for a spayed or neutered dog and $40 for one that is not.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of White Rock, https://www.whiterockcity.ca)  
**Cost:** $25 spayed or neutered; $40 not. Nuisance dog $100; aggressive dog $200. Tag replacement $10; licence transfer $10. No seniors or early-payment discount is stated.  
**How long:** Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewal forms are mailed to dogs on record and payment is due January 1.  
**Where:**
- Online: Dogs eApply, https://my.whiterockcity.ca/TempestApps/eApply/Dogs/Welcome.aspx
- In person: White Rock City Hall, 15322 Buena Vista Avenue, White Rock, BC V4B 1Y6
- Phone: Planning and Development Services (dog licensing), 604-541-2139
- Email: Licences, licences@whiterockcity.ca

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every dog over four months old must have a valid licence for the current year; dogs under four months are excluded. A licence cannot be issued to anyone under 18. Dogs used by law enforcement are exempt; guide dogs are exempt from the fees.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2012, No. 1959 (consolidated April 2025), ss. 3, 8, 15, 51](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/271/Consolidated---Animal-Control-and-Licensing-Bylaw-2012-Number-1959-PDF)
  - Official wording: "No person shall keep or allow to be kept on any real property any dog unless a valid" … "dog license for the current year has first been obtained for that dog from the City." … "No dog license shall be issued to or in the name of any person under the age of 18" … "excludes any dog under the" … "age of four months" … "is exempt from the licensing fees set out in this Bylaw"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/381/Dog-Licences)
  - Official wording: "All dogs over the age of four months residing in White Rock must have a valid dog licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The City of White Rock (online through Dogs eApply, or in person at City Hall, 15322 Buena Vista Avenue).
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2012, No. 1959 (consolidated April 2025), s. 9](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/271/Consolidated---Animal-Control-and-Licensing-Bylaw-2012-Number-1959-PDF)
  - Official wording: "the city shall issue a numbered dog license tag for the current license year"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, How do I register / renew](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/381/Dog-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Apply online with Dogs eApply" … "In person at City Hall, 15322 Buena Vista Avenue."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $25 a year for a spayed or neutered dog. A veterinarian's certificate is required, and the rate is not available for an aggressive or nuisance dog.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2012, No. 1959 (consolidated April 2025), s. 19, Schedule A](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/271/Consolidated---Animal-Control-and-Licensing-Bylaw-2012-Number-1959-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Altered Dog (each, male or female) $ 25.00" … "may pay the license fee set out in Schedule "A" for altered dogs"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog licence fees](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/381/Dog-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Altered Dog (each) | $25"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $40 a year for a dog that is not spayed or neutered.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2012, No. 1959 (consolidated April 2025), Schedule A](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/271/Consolidated---Animal-Control-and-Licensing-Bylaw-2012-Number-1959-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Unaltered Dog (each, male or female) $ 40.00"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog licence fees](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/381/Dog-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Unaltered Dog (each) | $40"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Licence tag replacement $10; licence transfer (change of address in the City, or a licence from another municipality) $10; nuisance dog $100; aggressive dog $200. No seniors or early-payment discount is stated.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2012, No. 1959 (consolidated April 2025), Schedule A; ss. 12-14](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/271/Consolidated---Animal-Control-and-Licensing-Bylaw-2012-Number-1959-PDF)
  - Official wording: "License Tag Replacement $ 10.00" … "License Transfer $ 10.00" … "Nuisance Dog $100.00" … "Aggressive Dog $200.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences run January 1 to December 31 and expire on December 31. Renewal forms are mailed to owners of dogs on record and payment is due January 1.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2012, No. 1959 (consolidated April 2025), s. 10](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/271/Consolidated---Animal-Control-and-Licensing-Bylaw-2012-Number-1959-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Every dog license and corresponding license tag issued under this Bylaw shall expire" … "on the 31st day of December in the calendar year in which the license was issued."
  - Source: [Dog Licences, How long is my dog's license valid](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/381/Dog-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Dog licence renewal forms are mailed in December to owners for dogs on record and are due and payable on January 1."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** Apply or renew online with Dogs eApply or in person at City Hall, 15322 Buena Vista Avenue; renewals can also be paid by mail. First-time applications need the dog's name, breed, colour, sex, a picture and a spay/neuter certificate. Applications for guide, service, police, guard, aggressive, vicious or dangerous dogs must be made in person.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, How do I register / renew](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/381/Dog-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Apply online with Dogs eApply" … "In person at City Hall, 15322 Buena Vista Avenue." … "Name, breed, colour, sex, picture and spay/neuter certificate" … "Dog licence renewal payments can be made online, in-person, or by mail." … "Dog deemed guard, aggressive, vicious or dangerous"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Failure to license a dog: $300. No licence tag on the dog: $150. (Sources differ: The City's Dog Licences page still says "Dog unlicenced fine - $50" (and impound fees of $80 or $60), which does not match the ticketing schedule; the Animal Control page matches the schedule at $300. Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw No. 1929 consolidated November 2024.)
  - Source: [Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw 2011, No. 1929 (consolidated), Schedule B3](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2072/Consolidated---Ticketing-for-Bylaw-Offences-2011-No-1929-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Failure to license a dog" … "$300.00" … "No licence tag on dog" … "$150.00"
  - Source: [Animal Control, Animal Control page](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/376/Animal-Control)
  - Official wording: "Unlicenced dog fine: $300"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, Dog Licences page](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/381/Dog-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Dog unlicenced fine - $50"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw, 2012, No. 1959 (consolidated April 2025)
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2012, No. 1959 (consolidated April 2025), s. 1](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/271/Consolidated---Animal-Control-and-Licensing-Bylaw-2012-Number-1959-PDF)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as "Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw, 2012, No. 1959.""
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of White Rock requires a licence for every dog over four months old, under its [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 1959](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/271/Consolidated---Animal-Control-and-Licensing-Bylaw-2012-Number-1959-PDF). Dogs under four months are excluded. The City issues the licence; no one under 18 can hold one. The tag number lasts the dog's life, so you do not get a new tag each year when you renew.

## Steps

1. Apply online with Dogs eApply, or in person at City Hall, 15322 Buena Vista Avenue.
2. Give the dog's name, breed, colour, sex and a picture, and a veterinarian's certificate to get the $25 rate.
3. Pay the fee. Renewals can also be paid by mail.
4. Each year the City mails renewal forms for dogs on record. Payment is due January 1.

## Good to know

- Applications for guide, service, police, guard, aggressive, vicious or dangerous dogs must be made in person.
- Dogs used by law enforcement are exempt, and guide dogs are exempt from the fees.
- The $25 rate is not available for an aggressive or nuisance dog. A nuisance dog is one impounded or ticketed (for barking or at large) three times in 24 months.
- A licence from another municipality needs the $10 transfer fee, as does a change of address within the City.
- A ticket for failing to license a dog is $300; a dog without its tag is $150. The Dog Licences page still shows older amounts, so confirm with the City.
- Questions: 604-541-2139 or licences@whiterockcity.ca.

## What you'll need

- Dog's name, breed, colour, sex and a picture
- Veterinarian's certificate showing the dog is spayed or neutered, for the lower fee

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Licences page](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/381/Dog-Licences)
- [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 1959 (PDF)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/271/Consolidated---Animal-Control-and-Licensing-Bylaw-2012-Number-1959-PDF)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in White Rock](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/how-many-pets.md)
- [White Rock dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/dog-leash-rules.md)
- [White Rock rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/dangerous-dogs.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/dog-licence.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/dog-licence.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/dog-licence.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/dog-licence.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/dog-licence.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Dog Licences, City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/381/Dog-Licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2012, No. 1959 (consolidated April 2025) (PDF)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/271/Consolidated---Animal-Control-and-Licensing-Bylaw-2012-Number-1959-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control, City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/376/Animal-Control) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw 2011, No. 1929 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2072/Consolidated---Ticketing-for-Bylaw-Offences-2011-No-1929-PDF) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of White Rock. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/dog-licence/_