Canadian municipal bylaws

Menu

Live team map awarenessVisAware is owned by the same company as Bylaw Insider.

8556

Animals Bylaw

Fetched October 16, 2026

Unofficial copy for convenience; the official version governs. Official source

Short excerpts of a public bylaw PDF. The official PDF governs.

11.10 Where any dog is impounded under this section, the dog shall not be given away or sold by the Animal Control Officer or the Municipal Pound.

11.11 No person under the age of 19 shall own or keep a dangerous dog.

11.12 No person under the age of 19 shall have care and control of a dangerous dog in a public place.

11.13 a) The owner of a dog designated as an aggressive dog under this bylaw may apply to the Chief Constable or his or her designate for the removal of the ‘aggressive dog’ designation once 6 months has elapsed from the date of the designation.

12 1 Subject to Sections 12.2, 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4,13.5, 13.6 and 13.8, dogs shall be permitted in any of the following outdoor places provided the dog is confined by a leash held by a person who has the dog under control:

12.2 Subject to Sections 13.4, 13.5, 13.6 and 13.8 the following areas are leash optional provided the dog is under control of a person:

12.3 Notwithstanding section 12.2, no person shall suffer or permit any dog owned, harboured or in one’s charge to be off leash in the following areas:

12.4 All persons attending a location listed in Sections 12.1, with any domestic animal other than a dog must have said domestic animal under control and on a leash or otherwise restrained and ensure that the domestic animal does not impact the safety of others.

12.5 All persons with a dog within an area listed in Section 12.2 must carry a leash for the dog and cause the dog to wear a collar.

13.1 No person shall suffer or permit any dog owned, harbored or in one’s charge to be on the following lands at any time:

13.2 No person shall suffer or permit any dog owned, harboured or in one’s charge to be on lands which are zoned P-5 except the perimeter trail of the lands known as Rithet’s Bog , marked with a heavy dotted line on the map attached hereto as Schedule “Hprovided the dog is confined by a leash.

13.3 No person shall suffer or permit any dog owned, harboured or in one’s charge to be within the portion of lands known as Cedar Hill Park lands, marked “CEDAR HILL GOLF COURSE” and “DOGS ON LEASH ON TRAIL ONLY” on the map attached hereto as Schedule “I”except for the portion of the lands that is a marked trail.

13.4 No person shall suffer or permit any dog owned, harboured orin one’s charge to be in any of the following areas during the months of May to August, inclusive:

13.5 No person shall suffer or permit any dog owned, harboured or in ’one’s charge to be on artificial turf fields and all hard surface sports courts including but not limited to tennis, pickleball, lacrosse, skateboard, hockey, and basketball courts.

13.6 No person shall suffer or permit any dog owned, harboured or in one’s charge to be on any playground.

13.7 No person shall suffer or permit any dog owned, harboured or in ’one’s charge to:

13.8 The Director of Parks may close any area to use by dogs, or restrict any area to on leash only, in the event that there is non-compliance with this bylaw that causes harm to the area or persons using such areas including harm to birds, animals or natural areas or harm because of a failure to remove feces, and in the event of such closures, a sign will be posted and no person shall be in such area with a dog or other domestic animal contrary to the posted signage.

14.1 It shall be an offence under this bylaw for any person having control of a dog to allow or suffer the dog to defecate:

14.2 Section 14.1 shall not apply to persons who are incapable of complying because of physical disability.

15 No person shall suffer or permit a female dog in heat (estrus), owned or harboured by him/her or in his/her charge to be in any place other than a building, cage, fenced-in area or other place from which the dog cannot escape.

16 Any person who owns, harbours or has the charge of any dog over the age of four months shall obtain a dog licence on or before the first day of February in each year.

17 Any dog licence issued under this bylaw is for the calendar year in which it was obtained.

18.1 Any applicant for a dog licence shall apply to the Collector and shall pay the fees set out in this bylaw.

18.2 Where the owner of any dog which is licenced under this bylaw ceases to be the owner of the dog, the licence is deemed to be cancelled.

19.1 The fees for any dog licence shall be as follows:

19.2 Notwithstanding Section 19.1 a licence shall be issued free of charge for a dog which has been castrated or spayed during the 12 month period immediately preceding the application for the licence, provided that not more than one free licence shall be issued for any dog.

19.3 A person applying for a licence under this section shall, upon request, produce reasonable proof that the dog was spayed or castrated during the preceding 12 month period.

19.4 Notwithstanding Section 19.1 a licence shall be issued free of charge for a guide dog that is certified the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act , or for a service dog that is certified under the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act .

19.5 For a dog in respect of which a licence was issued in the previous year, the applicable fee set out in Section 19.1 shall be increased by the amount of $5.00 if a new licence has not been taken out on or before the first day of February in each year.

19.6 Where any dog tag issued under this bylaw is lost or destroyed, the owner of the dog may apply for a replacement tag and shall pay a replacement fee of $5.00 in respect of the tag.

19.7 Any person taking up residence in the Municipality and owning a dog bearing a valid current licence issued by another municipality shall be exempted from paying a licence fee in the current year. However, such owner shall notify the Municipality of the owner’s name, address and licence number issued by another municipality for the current licencing year.

19.8 Notwithstanding Section 19.1 the fees for a dog licence for a dangerous dog or aggressive dog shall be as follows:

20 Notwithstanding Section 19, the total licence fees payable by any person who is engaged solely in the breeding of dogs and who operates under a name currently registered with the Canadian Kennel Club shall be $50.00 for all dogs owned by him/her.

21.1 With every dog licence issued, the Collector shall issue a metal tag impressed or stamped with a licence number and with figures denoting the licence year.

21.2 The owner of any dog licenced by the Municipality shall affix and keep affixed the metal dog tag issued by attaching it to a collar or harness on the dog.

22 Where any dog is found:

23 Where any dog has been delivered to the Municipal Pound, the Pound Keeper shall impound and detain the dog and shall furnish the dog with sufficient food, water, shelter and attendance.

24 The owner of any dog which has been seized may have the dog released upon proof of ownership and payment of any unpaid or overdue licence fees.

25.1 The owner of any dog which has been impounded may redeem the dog from the Municipal Pound during their normal business hours upon proof of ownership and payment of:

25.2 The impoundment fees for any dog shall be as follows:

26 Where the Animal Control Officer knows the name and address of the owner of any dog which has been impounded, he/she shall within 24 hours of the impoundment notify the owner by telephone or by written notice to the owner at his/her last known address.

27 Where any person applies to redeem any impounded dog, the Pound Keeper shall obtain the name and address of the person and shall enter this information in the Pound Book together with the date of impoundment and redemption of the dog.

28 Where any dog has not been redeemed within 96 hours after notice was given or sent to the owner under Section 26, or the owner of any dog cannot be ascertained within 96 hours of impoundment, the Animal Control Officer may assign the dog to the Municipal Pound or a veterinarian for disposal.

29 No person shall hinder, delay or obstruct the Animal Control Officer or any person lawfully engaged in seizing or conveying any dog to the Municipal Pound.

30 Any occupant of any premises in or upon which any dog is kept and any person who has the care and custody of any dog shall, upon the request of the Animal Control Officer, supply the following information:

31 Except where the area of the parcel of land exceeds 2.02 ha (5 acres) no person shall keep or harbour more than five cats over the age of four months on any parcel of land within the Municipality.

32 Section 31 shall not apply to any person who carries on a kennel operation for cats as provided under Section 50.1.

33 Where any person keeps or harbours any rodent on a parcel of land, he/she shall ensure that:

34 No person shall keep or harbour any fur-bearing animal on any parcel of land within the Municipality.

35 No person shall keep or harbour any wild animal on any parcel of land within the Municipality unless he/she is the holder of a valid permit issued by the Chief Constable of the Saanich Police Department.

35.1 No person shall feed a deer within the Municipality.

35.2.1 No person shall feed a feral rabbit in a park, highway, university, school or other public space.

35.2.2 No person shall release or abandon a rabbit on any land within the Municipality.

35.2.3 No owner or occupier of property shall keep a rabbit on the property except in a secure, enclosed structure designed to prevent the rabbit from escaping, such structure to meet the minimum clearance from any property lines as required by the “Zoning Bylaw, 2003, No. 8200”, any amendments thereto or any successor bylaws.

35.2.4 (a) no person shall sell or give away a live rabbit that has not been spayed or neutered.

35.2.5 Rabbit Breeding Permit (a) The Manager of Revenue Services shall prescribe a form for an application for a rabbit breeding permit.

36 Where any person desires a Permit for the keeping of any wild animal he/she shall apply in writing to the Chief Constable and shall supply the following information:

37 Before issuing a permit authorizing the keeping of a wild animal, the Chief Constable shall consider whether or not the wild animal or animals will pose a danger to public safety or cause a nuisance to the surrounding neighbourhood and he may in his discretion:

38.1 No person shall keep any poultry on any parcel of land having an area less than 1,114.8 square metres (12,000 sq. ft.).

38.2 No person shall keep or harbour any poultry on any parcel of land larger than 1,114.8 square metres (12,000 sq. ft.) in greater numbers than specified below:

38.3 Notwithstanding s.38.1, a maximum of five hens are permitted on any parcel in a single family residential zone or rural zone having an area less than 1,114.8 m (12,000 sq. ft.) provided:

38.4 No person shall keep a hen or hens on a parcel in a single family residential zone having an area less than 1,114.8 m (12,000 sq. ft.) unless they are kept in a building and enclosure which (a) is located at least 3 m from the rear lot line and side lot lines of the parcel, (b) is located at least 3 m from any door or window of a residential building, (c) is located in the rear yard of the parcel, (d)is not more than 2 m in height, 2 2 (e) provides each hen with at least .37 m of coop floor area and at least .92 m of roofed outdoor enclosure area, and, (f) occupies an area of land not exceeding 9.2 m (99 sq. ft.).

38.5 Any person keeping hens on a parcel of land in a single family residential zone of less than 1,114.8 m (12,000 sq. ft.) shall comply with the following requirements:

38.6 No person may keep hens on parcels of land in a single family residential zone that are less than 1,114.8 m (12,000 sq. ft.) in area unless that person has registered that flock of hens with the Municipality by completing and submitting a registration form issued by the Municipality containing the following information:

1 Date;

2 Hen’s owners name, address and postal code;

3 Confirmation that the owner of the hens resides on the property where he or she will keep the hens; and,

4 Confirmation that the owner of the hens has read and understood the requirements of this bylaw.

38.7 There shall be no fee payable by the owner to the Municipality for the registration of a flock of hens.

39.1 Subject to Section 39.2 no person shall keep more than five bantams on any parcel of land within the Municipality.

39.2 A person may keep more than five bantams on a parcel of land having an area in excess of 0.4 ha in any A Zone.

40 No person shall keep or harbour any rooster or bantam rooster in any single family residential zone.

41.1 No person shall use any building or enclosure for the keeping, housing or harbouring of:

41.2 Where the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure approval has been obtained, any building or enclosure to keep, house or harbour more than 30 poultry or bantams may be located at a minimum distance of 42.6 metres (140 feet) from any arterial highway.

41.3 Section 41.1 shall not apply to the keeping of not more than 5 hens on a parcel of land in a single family residential zone that is less than 1,114.8 m2 (12,000 sq. ft.).

42 No person shall suffer or permit any poultry or bantam owned or harboured by him/her or under his/her control:

43 Where any poultry or bantam is found:

44 Any person may keep any ornamental birds on any parcel of land within the Municipality.

45 No person shall keep more than 25 pairs of pigeons on any parcel of land within the Municipality.

46 No person shall use any building or enclosure for the keeping, housing or feeding of any pigeons unless the building or enclosure is located at least 7.6 metres (25 feet) from any highway and at least 4.57 metres (15 feet) from any property line.

47 No person shall suffer or permit any pigeons owned or kept by him/her or under his/her control:

48.1 No person shall keep or harbour any bees on any parcel of land unless:

48.2 No person shall keep more than four hives on any parcel of land in any RS Zone.

49 Except where any hive or other device for the housing of bees is contained within a greenhouse, no person shall place any hive or any other device for the housing of bees on any parcel of land within 6.05 metres (20 feet) of any property line.

50.1 Subject to Section 50.2, no person shall use any land or premises as a kennel for the keeping, training, care, breeding, hospitalization or boarding of any animals unless the land on which the operation is carried out has an area greater than 0.4 ha (one acre) and operation of a kennel is a permitted use under the Zoning Bylaw.

50.2 This Section shall not apply to any person who is engaged solely in the breeding of dogs and who operates under a name currently registered with the Canadian Kennel Club.

51 No person shall use any building, enclosure, or exercise yard as part of a kennel operation unless the building, enclosure or exercise yard is located at least 15.2 metres (50 feet) from any property line.

52 Any person who operates a kennel shall ensure that:

53 This Section deleted by Bylaw No. 9201.

54 Any person who keeps, harbours, houses or feeds any animal, bee or bird shall ensure that:

55 The Municipal Pound is the place designated by resolution of Council for the impoundment of animals pursuant to this Bylaw.

56 No person shall take or release any animal or bird from the Municipal Pound without the consent of the Animal Control Officer or Pound Keeper.

57 Where required by the Council, any Pound Keeper shall give a security bond of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to the Municipality.

58 The Director of Finance shall furnish each Pound Keeper with a Pound Book in which the Pound Keeper shall enter:

59.1 At the end of each month, the Pound Keeper shall deliver, in writing, to the Director of Finance a report containing any information recorded pursuant to Section 58 and any other information he/she or the Director of Finance may deem necessary.

59.2 Where required by the Director of Finance, the Pound Keeper shall verify his/her report by a statutory declaration of its validity.

60 At the end of each month, the Pound Keeper shall pay over to the Director of Finance all monies received by him/her during the month and where required by the Director of Finance shall produce his/her books for inspection.

61 The impoundment fees for animals and birds, other than dogs shall be:

62.1 The Pound Keeper shall furnish or cause to be furnished to any impounded animal or bird, other than dogs, good and sufficient food, water, shelter and attendance.

62.2 The Pound Keeper shall levy against the owner of any impounded animal or bird, other than dogs, the following maintenance charges for each day or portion of a day during which such animal or bird remains impounded:

63 The owner of any farm animal or bird which has been impounded may redeem the farm animal or bird from the Municipal Pound during their normal business hours, with proof of ownership and payment of:

64 Where any person applies to redeem any impounded farm animal or bird, the Pound Keeper shall obtain the name and address of the person and shall enter this information Page 23 of 37 Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556 in the Pound Book together with the date of impoundment and redemption of the farm animal or bird.

65 Where no person applies to redeem any impounded farm animal or bird within three days after impoundment or where any owner refuses or neglects to pay the impoundment fees, maintenance charges and any expenses incurred, the Pound Keeper shall give notice in the manner set out in Section 66 of the sale or destruction of any farm animal or bird.

66.1 The Notice required under Section 65 shall:

66.2 Where the impounded animal is a farm animal, the notice shall be published once in any newspaper circulating in the Municipality and publication of the notice shall occur no fewer than six days prior to sale or destruction.

67.1 Where, at the expiration of the time specified in the notice, no person shall claim the farm animal or bird, or where the owner refuses or neglects to pay the impoundment fees, maintenance charges and any expenses incurred, the Pound Keeper shall sell the farm animal or bird to the highest bidder at a public auction.

67.2 Where there is no purchaser for any farm animal or bird, the Pound Keeper may dispose of or destroy the animal or bird.

68 Where:

69 The owner of any animal or bird may, upon payment of the required fee, deliver to the Municipal Pound, or request the Animal Control Officer to pick up his/her animal or bird for the purpose of destroying it.

70 A Animal Control Officer may enter, at any reasonable time, upon any property in order to ascertain whether the provisions of this bylaw are being obeyed.

71 No person shall prevent or obstruct, or attempt to prevent or obstruct a Animal Control Officer in fulfillment of his/her duties under this bylaw.

71.1 The provisions of this bylaw do not apply to police canine dogs.

71.2 The provisions contained in s.12 and s.13 of this bylaw shall not apply to a person using dogs in a park who is employed by or retained by the Municipality or to a service dog.

72.1 Subject to section 72.2, any person who contravenes this bylaw is guilty of an offence and is liable, on summary conviction:

72.2 Any person who contravenes any of the following provisions of this bylaw is guilty of an offence and is liable, on summary conviction:

72.3 A separate offence shall be deemed to be committed during each day in which any contravention continues.

73.1 Where any person is convicted of an offence for keeping any animal, bird or bees in contravention of this bylaw, the Council may, by registered letter, direct the person to conform with the provisions of this bylaw within 30 days of the service of the notice.

73.2 Where any person fails to comply with any notice under this Section, the Council may direct the Animal Control Officer to seize, impound and dispose of any animal, bird or bees.

74 The “Animals Bylaw, 2001, No. 8171", and amendments thereto are hereby repealed except insofar as they may repeal any other bylaw.

75 This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “ANIMALS BYLAW, 2004, NO. 8556”.

(250)

1 AGATE 40. VIC DERMAN

2 BALMACARRA 41. WHITEHEAD (SEASONAL

3 BECKTON RESTRICTIONS)

10 CECELIA CREEK FALLS

11 CENTURY

12 CHARLTON

13 CHATTERTON HILL

14 The trail corridor of Colquitz Park but excluding that part of the trail shown on Schedule “K” marked “dogs on leash on trails only”, which is dogs on leash at all times.

15 CLAREMONT-GODDARD

16 COPLEY EAST

17 CORDOVA BAY

18 CRAIGFLOWER-KOSAPSOM

19 ESTELLINE

20 FALAISE

21 GORE-PEASE MEMORIAL

39 SPRINGRIDGE Page 29 of 37 Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556 Schedule “D” Leash Optional Parks BYLAW NO. 8556 SCHEDULE D – LEASH-OPTIONAL, UNDER CONTROL PARKS

1 AGATE 42. VIC DERMAN

2 BALMACARRA 43. WHITEHEAD (SEASONAL

3 BECKTON RESTRICTIONS)

10 CECELIA CREEK FALLS

11 CENTURY

12 CHARLTON

13 CHATTERTON HILL

14 COLQUITZ RIVER CORRIDOR

15 CLAREMONT-GODDARD

16 COPLEY EAST

17 CORDOVA BAY

18 CRAIGFLOWER-KOSAPSOM

19 ESTELLINE

20 FALAISE

21 GORE-PEASE MEMORIAL

41 SPRINGRIDGE Page 30 of 37 Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556 Schedule "E” Map of Cuthbert Homes Park Page 31 of 37 Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556 Schedule "F” Map of PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park) Page 32 of 37 Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556 Schedule "G” Quick’s Bottom Park Page 33 of 37 Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556 Schedule "H” Rithet’s Bog Page 34 of 37 Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556 Schedule "I” Cedar Hill Park Page 35 of 37 Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556 Schedule "J” Cordova Bay Seasonal Restrictions Page 36 of 37 Animals Bylaw, 2004, No. 8556 Schedule "K” Map of Panama Flats Page 37 of 37