The short answer
License your dog (a flat $68 per year, mandatory over three months old). Keep it on a leash of 2.5 metres or less in public, and off-leash only in a designated area. Always pick up after your dog. Vancouver regulates dangerous dogs by behaviour, not breed (there is no breed ban). It is all set out in the City's Animal Control By-law No. 9150. Get your licence first.
The five rules that cover most of it
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Dog licence | Mandatory for every dog over three months old. A flat $68 per dog, per year (no reduced rate for a spayed or neutered dog). A separate aggressive-dog licence costs more. |
| Leash law | In public, dogs must be on a leash no longer than 2.5 metres (about 8 feet). Off-leash is only allowed inside one of Vancouver's designated off-leash areas. |
| Off-leash areas | The City maintains dozens of designated dog off-leash areas across Vancouver (roughly three dozen), some fully fenced, many with seasonal or time-of-day hours. Off-leash anywhere else is a bylaw violation. |
| Pick up after your dog | Owners must immediately pick up and dispose of their dog's waste on any public or private property that is not their own. Fines apply for failing to scoop. |
| Dangerous / aggressive dogs | Vancouver regulates by behaviour, not breed: an individual dog can be designated aggressive or dangerous based on its conduct, which brings extra licensing, muzzling, and containment requirements. There is no breed ban in Vancouver or BC. |
The full text lives in the City of Vancouver's pet regulations and the underlying Animal Control By-law No. 9150. Surrounding municipalities (Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, the North Shore) each run their own dog bylaws and licensing, so if you live outside the City of Vancouver proper, check your own municipality. For the licence itself, see our Vancouver pet licensing guide; for where your dog can legally run free, see the off-leash parks guide.
Adopting first? Start here
Browse adoptable Vancouver dogs, then license and leash-up once your new dog is home.
Browse Vancouver Dogs →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to license my dog in Vancouver?
Yes. Under the City of Vancouver Animal Control By-law (No. 9150), every dog over three months old must be licensed. The licence is a flat $68 per dog, per year, with no cheaper rate for a spayed or neutered dog, which is unusual compared with many other cities. The tag helps reunite a lost dog with you quickly. Our Vancouver pet licensing guide covers how to register and renew.
What is the leash law in Vancouver?
In any public place, your dog must be on a leash no longer than 2.5 metres (roughly 8 feet). Dogs are not allowed to run free on streets, sidewalks, or in parks except inside one of the City's designated off-leash areas. Keeping a dog leashed in public is one of the most commonly enforced parts of the bylaw, so it is worth knowing.
Where can my dog go off-leash in Vancouver?
Only in the City's designated dog off-leash areas, of which there are dozens across Vancouver. Some are fully fenced and some have seasonal or time-of-day restrictions (for example, beach off-leash hours that change with the season). Off-leash anywhere outside a designated area is a bylaw violation. Our Vancouver off-leash parks guide maps the best spots, including the fully fenced ones.
Are any dog breeds banned in Vancouver?
No. British Columbia has no province-wide breed ban, and Vancouver regulates dogs by behaviour rather than breed. An individual dog of any breed can be designated aggressive or dangerous based on its conduct, which triggers stricter licensing, muzzling, and containment rules, but no breed is banned or restricted simply for being that breed. What can affect you instead are private policies: some strata corporations, landlords, and insurers restrict certain breeds.
Do I have to pick up after my dog in Vancouver?
Yes, always, and immediately. The bylaw requires owners to pick up and properly dispose of their dog's waste on any property that is not their own, including parks, sidewalks, and off-leash areas. Carry bags on every walk. Failing to scoop is a ticketable offence, and it is also just basic courtesy in a dense, walkable city.
What happens if my dog is unlicensed in Vancouver?
Licensing is mandatory, and owners of unlicensed dogs can be fined. Beyond the fine, an unlicensed lost dog is much harder to reunite with its owner, since the licence tag is the fastest link back to you. Licensing is inexpensive relative to the cost of a fine or a lost dog, so it is worth doing promptly after you adopt. See our Vancouver pet licensing guide for the step-by-step.
Vancouver Pet Licensing
The flat $68 licence: how to register and renew.
Vancouver Off-Leash Parks
Where your dog can legally run free, and which areas are fenced.
New dog? Start with these care guides
Everything a new adopter needs to set up a safe, happy home.