Williams Lake dog licences: fees and how to get one
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.
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).Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 3; Dog Licences, page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo 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 every dog over the age of 2 months must have a current licence |
|---|---|
| Issued by | The City of Williams Lake (Finance Department, City Hall). The BC SPCA Williams Lake branch is the City's poundkeeper.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 4; Dog Licences, page; Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 33 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe owner of the dog shall apply to the City for a license direct any inquiries to the Finance Department at City Hall, 250-392-2311 The SPCA is hereby appointed as the Poundkeeper |
| Fee, spayed or neutered | $10 a year for a spayed or neutered dog.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingSpayed or neutered dog $10.00 |
| Fee, not spayed or neutered | $20 a year for a dog that is not spayed or neutered.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingUnspayed or unneutered dog $20.00 |
| 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.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 7; Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 5; Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo license fees shall be charged for Police Dogs, Guide Dogs, or dogs whose owners are 65 years of age and older If an owner applies for a license after March 31st, that owner shall pay the late fee set out in Schedule "A" Late application fee $10.00 plus regular license fee Replacement license tag $5.00 Aggressive dog $200.00 |
| Renewal | Every year. A licence is valid only for the licence year, January 1 to December 31, whether or not a renewal notice arrives.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 8; Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), definitions; Frequently Asked Questions (Lost and Found Animals), Lost and Found Animals FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEvery license and corresponding license tag issued under this Bylaw is valid only for the License Year for which it was issued. "LICENSE YEAR" means the period from January 1st to December 31st in any year are responsible for purchasing whether or not you receive a renewal notice |
| 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.Dog Licences, page; Frequently Asked Questions (Lost and Found Animals), Lost and Found Animals FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPayment 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. City Hall 450 Mart Street Williams Lake 250-392-2311 |
| 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)).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196, 2013 (consolidated), Schedule A-1; Frequently Asked Questions (Lost and Found Animals), Lost and Found Animals FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPenalty Penalty Available Unlicensed Dog 3 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 Yes Fail to Affix License 9 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 Yes you could receive a $50.00 fine |
| Bylaw | Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 2102, 2009Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw shall be cited as the Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 2102, 2009. |
How it works
Under the Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw, 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
- 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.
- Pay $10 for a spayed or neutered dog or $20 for a dog that is not.
- If you apply after March 31, add the $10 late fee.
- 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
The same question in other places
100 Mile House · Quesnel · Lillooet · Ashcroft · Barriere · McBride
Sources
- Dog Licences, City of Williams Lake (read 2026-11-05)
- Frequently Asked Questions (Lost and Found Animals), City of Williams Lake (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw 2102, 2009 (consolidated) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2196, 2013 (consolidated), Schedule A-1 (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. How answers are checked.