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

# Williams Lake 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 2 months old in Williams Lake needs a City licence for each licence year (January 1 to December 31). The fee is $10 a year for a spayed or neutered dog and $20 for one that is not. Guide dogs, police dogs and dogs of owners 65 or older are free.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Williams Lake, https://www.williamslake.ca)  
**Cost:** $10 a year if spayed or neutered; $20 if not. Free for guide dogs, police dogs and owners 65 or older (with proof of age). Late fee if applied for after March 31: $10 plus the regular fee. Replacement tag $5. Aggressive-dog licence $200.  
**How long:** Valid January 1 to December 31; renew every year.  
**Where:**
- In person: City Hall (Finance Department), 450 Mart Street, Williams Lake, BC V2G 1N3 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cash, cheque or Interac.)
- By mail: Mail a cheque, or leave payment in the drop box at the front door of City Hall, 450 Mart Street, Williams Lake, BC V2G 1N3
- Phone: City Hall, 250-392-2311

## Key facts

- **Licence required:** Yes. Every dog over 2 months old must have a current licence for the licence year (January 1 to December 31).
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 3](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "No person shall own, keep, possess or harbour any dog actually or apparently over the age of two (2) months in the City unless a valid and subsisting license for the current License year has first been obtained"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, page](https://www.williamslake.ca/659/Dog-Licences)
  - Official wording: "every dog over the age of 2 months must have a current licence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Issued by:** The City of Williams Lake (Finance Department, City Hall). The BC SPCA Williams Lake branch is the City's poundkeeper.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 4](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "the owner of the dog shall apply to the City for a license"
  - Source: [Dog Licences, page](https://www.williamslake.ca/659/Dog-Licences)
  - Official wording: "direct any inquiries to the Finance Department at City Hall, 250-392-2311"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 33](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "The SPCA is hereby appointed as the Poundkeeper"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, spayed or neutered:** $10 a year for a spayed or neutered dog.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), Schedule A](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "Spayed or neutered dog" … "$10.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee, not spayed or neutered:** $20 a year for a dog that is not spayed or neutered.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), Schedule A](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "Unspayed or unneutered dog" … "$20.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other fees and discounts:** Free for guide dogs, police dogs and dogs whose owners are 65 or older (with proof of age). Late fee if applied for after March 31: $10 plus the regular fee. Replacement tag: $5. Aggressive-dog licence: $200.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 7](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "No license fees shall be charged for Police Dogs, Guide Dogs, or dogs whose owners are 65 years of age and older"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 5](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "If an owner applies for a license after March 31st, that owner shall pay the late fee set out in Schedule "A""
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), Schedule A](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "Late application fee" … "$10.00 plus regular license fee" … "Replacement license tag" … "$5.00" … "Aggressive dog" … "$200.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Every year. A licence is valid only for the licence year, January 1 to December 31, whether or not a renewal notice arrives.
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 8](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "Every license and corresponding license tag issued under this Bylaw is valid only for the License Year for which it was issued."
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), definitions](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: ""LICENSE YEAR" means the period from January 1st to December 31st in any year"
  - Source: [Frequently Asked Questions (Lost and Found Animals), Lost and Found Animals FAQ](https://www.williamslake.ca/Faq.aspx)
  - Official wording: "are responsible for purchasing whether or not you receive a renewal notice"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to get one:** In person at City Hall, 450 Mart Street, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (cash, cheque or Interac), or by mailing a cheque or leaving payment in the drop box at the front door. Phone 250-392-2311.
  - Source: [Dog Licences, page](https://www.williamslake.ca/659/Dog-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Payment can be made at City Hall Monday-Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm, by mailing a cheque or leaving payment in the drop box located at the front door. We accept cash, cheque or interact."
  - Source: [Frequently Asked Questions (Lost and Found Animals), Lost and Found Animals FAQ](https://www.williamslake.ca/Faq.aspx)
  - Official wording: "City Hall 450 Mart Street Williams Lake 250-392-2311"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine, unlicensed dog:** Bylaw notice: $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 if paid late). (Sources differ: The City's Lost and Found Animals FAQ says an unlicensed dog could receive a '$50.00 fine'; the bylaw schedule says $100 and is followed here. Impound fee for an unlicensed dog starts at $75 (Animal Control Bylaw Schedule B). Early payment is within 14 days of receiving the notice (BNE s. 6(b)).)
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196, 2013 (consolidated), Schedule A-1](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/61839)
  - Official wording: "Penalty Penalty Available Unlicensed Dog 3 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 Yes Fail to Affix License 9 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 Yes"
  - Source: [Frequently Asked Questions (Lost and Found Animals), Lost and Found Animals FAQ](https://www.williamslake.ca/Faq.aspx)
  - Official wording: "you could receive a $50.00 fine"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 2102, 2009
  - Source: [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 1](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw shall be cited as the Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 2102, 2009."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375), nobody in Williams Lake may keep a dog over 2 months old without a valid licence for the current licence year, which runs January 1 to December 31. You apply to the City. The City's Finance Department at City Hall issues licences.

## Steps

1. Go to City Hall, 450 Mart Street, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (cash, cheque or Interac), or mail a cheque or leave payment in the drop box at the front door. No online purchase option was found on the City pages.
2. Pay $10 for a spayed or neutered dog or $20 for a dog that is not.
3. If you apply after March 31, add the $10 late fee.
4. Renew every year, whether or not a notice arrives.

## Good to know

- Free: guide dogs, police dogs and dogs whose owners are 65 or older (bring proof of age). The bylaw also lets the City issue a free licence for a dog spayed or neutered in the 12 months before you apply, with proof.
- A replacement tag is $5.
- An unlicensed dog is a $100 bylaw notice ($75 if paid within 14 days; $125 if paid late). The City's FAQ says $50; the bylaw schedule says $100, so confirm with the City. Impound fees for an unlicensed dog start at $75.
- The City's page says a new permanent tag system means the tag need not be replaced each year; the bylaw says each licence and tag is valid only for its licence year. Ask the City which applies to you.
- The BC SPCA Williams Lake branch is the City's poundkeeper.
- The City's copy of the bylaw is dated 2019; later changes, if any, were not seen.

## What you'll need

- Proof of age if you are 65 or older and claiming the no-fee licence
- Proof of spay or neuter for the lower fee

## Official forms and pages

- [Dog Licences page](https://www.williamslake.ca/659/Dog-Licences)
- [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (PDF)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Dog licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dog-licence.md)
- [100 Mile House](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/dog-licence.md)
- [Quesnel](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/dog-licence.md)
- [Lillooet](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/dog-licence.md)
- [Ashcroft](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/dog-licence.md)
- [Barriere](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/barriere/dog-licence.md)
- [McBride](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mcbride/dog-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Dog Licences, City of Williams Lake](https://www.williamslake.ca/659/Dog-Licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Frequently Asked Questions (Lost and Found Animals), City of Williams Lake](https://www.williamslake.ca/Faq.aspx) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/39375) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196, 2013 (consolidated), Schedule A-1](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/61839) (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 Williams Lake. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/dog-licence/_