Summary#
Council approved changes in principle to Vancouver’s Licence and Animal Control bylaws, and rejected proposed 2027 fee increases under those bylaws and the Vehicles for Hire By-law. It directed the Director of Legal Services to bring revised amending bylaws forward for enactment; the materials do not show that enactment has happened. The report’s stated goal for the fee increases was to keep licence revenue aligned with rising City costs.
- Business licence and vehicles-for-hire fees will not get the proposed 2027 increases. Animal control fees will not get the proposed increases, including proposed market-rate changes.
- Council approved in principle housekeeping changes to the Licence By-law, including clarifying that fees are non-refundable once a licence is issued.
- Council approved in principle allowing a pro-rated dog-licence fee refund when a licensed dog dies. The report says written proof of the dog’s death would be required.
- The decision was unanimous among those voting; Councillor Kirby-Yung was absent for the vote.
What it means for you#
- Businesses and vehicles-for-hire licence holders: The proposed 2027 fee increases will not apply under this decision. The exact fees in the final bylaws are not included in the materials.
- Dog owners: Once the bylaw amendment is enacted, a person with a licensed dog that dies may qualify for a pro-rated refund. The report says written proof is required.
- People applying for a business licence: The approved-in-principle change would confirm that a fee is non-refundable after the licence is issued. The report says this reflects the City’s existing interpretation and practice.
- Other animal owners: The proposed changes to animal control fees, including adoption, impound and replacement-tag fees, were rejected.
Money#
No cost estimate is given for the approved changes or for the effect of keeping 2027 fees unchanged.
- City staff estimated the proposed 5% increases would raise about $1.6 million in additional revenue. Council rejected those increases.
- Staff projected 2026 licensing revenue would exceed budget by $2.2 million, mainly because of higher volumes associated with FIFA. Staff did not expect those volumes to continue at the same level in 2027.
- The materials do not estimate the cost of administering dog-licence refunds.
What is unclear#
- The revised amending bylaws have not been provided, so the final wording and when the changes take effect are not shown.
- The report does not explain how the dog-refund amount would be calculated, or how to claim it beyond providing written proof of the dog’s death.
- The materials do not say why Council rejected the fee increases.
Case for#
- City staff say confirming that business licence fees are non-refundable after a licence is issued would make the bylaw clearer and match the City’s existing practice.
- A pro-rated refund for a deceased dog’s licence would return part of the fee in that circumstance.
- Keeping fees unchanged avoids the proposed increases for businesses, vehicles-for-hire licence holders and people paying animal control fees.
Case against#
- City staff estimated that a 5% increase would bring in about $1.6 million to help match licence revenue with rising City costs. Rejecting the increases means the City will not receive that projected additional revenue from them.
- The report does not give a cost estimate for the refund change or explain its administration, so its financial effect is unknown.