Owning three or more dogs

A Multiple Dog Licence is required to keep three or more dogs on an urban property in the Waimakariri District for a period of more than 14 days.

The permit is for the property where your dogs are kept and places certain conditions on keeping dogs on that property. Some of these are:

  • how the dog is confined - is it appropriate for the size and number of dogs?
  • is an appropriate exercise area available?
  • is the property securely fenced and the dogs housed an appropriate distance from adjoining properties? 
  • history of complaints against dog.

These conditions are designed to prevent your dogs from becoming a problem to you or your neighbours and if they are not met, Waimakariri District Council may withdraw your licence. Once you have the licence, you need to renew annually in August.

You need to reapply if:

  • you move from one property to another; or 
  • you increase the number of dogs at the property for which you hold a licence.

The Multiple Dog Licence fee is the same regardless of the number of dogs you have on the property.