Permit Director

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New Dog License

Dog License Renewal

Replacement for Dog License

Click on 'New Dog License' ONLY if this is the FIRST time you're registering your dog with the City.

Click on 'Dog License Renewal' ONLY if you have previously licensed your dog with the City.

General Information

Massachusetts State Law requires that all dog owners license their dogs each year with their local City/Town Clerk’s Office. The law prohibits dogs from being licensed without proof of a current rabies vaccination.

Each Autumn, the New Bedford City Clerk’s Office mails renewal notices to every known dog owner in the City, advising them that it is time to renew their dog’s license. This form can be filled out and returned to the City Clerk with the required fee. The License will then be mailed back to the owner.

The fee structure for Dog Licenses is as follows:

$10 annually for all spayed/neutered dogs (proof of spay/neuter is required)
$20 annually for non-spayed/non-neutered dogs
If you dog has completed obedience training, the cost will be $5 for spayed/neutered dogs or $15 for non-spayed/non-neutered dogs. You must provide proof/certificate of obedience training.
Service Dogs - Licenses are no cost for service dogs. You MUST provide the ADA certificate for your dog with your application.

Dogs that remain unlicensed are subject to a citation and fine from New Bedford Animal Control. Also, as a reminder, the city of New Bedford strictly enforces its leash law.

Click the appropriate button on the left of the screen to proceed with an application for a Dog License License.

Dog License Requirements: ^{must meet ALL requirements}

Pricing:

Type of License	Fee
Unaltered Dog - with obedience training	$20.00 $15.00
Spayed/Neutered Dog - with obedience training	$10.00 $5.00
Renewal late fee An additional late fee is applied after February 1st	$25.00
Service Dogs	No Fee
Replacement Tags	$1.00

City Ordinance 4-19: Licensing

All dogs shall be licensed annually before February 1st in the City Clerk’s Office. Any person failing to renew their dog’s license by February 1st of each year is subject to an additional $25 late fee.

City Ordinance 4-28: Restraint of Dogs; Barking of Dogs; Cleanup After Dogs

NO dog shall be permitted in any street or public place without being effectively RESTRAINED BY A LEASH OR CHAIN not exceeding 7 feet in length. No dog shall be allowed to enter the premises of another with the permission of owner or occupant of the premises.
The keeping or harboring of any dog or any other animal, whether licensed or not, which by habitual howling, yelping, barking or other noise disturbs or annoys any considerable number of persons or neighborhood is unlawful and is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and each day shall constitute a separate offense.
It shall be the duty of each person who owns, possesses or controls a dog or any other animal TO REMOVE AND DISPOSE OF ANY FECES LEFT BY SUCH PERSON’S DOG OR OTHER ANIMAL ON ANY SIDEWALK, STREET OR ANY OTHER AREA TO WHICH THE PUBLIC HAS ACCESS AS WELL AS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY ABUTTING A PUBLIC WAY.

For More Information, Contact:

New Bedford, MA City Clerk

Main Office Address:

City Hall, 133 William St.
New Bedford, MA 02740

Telephone: 508-979-1450

For Technical Support, Contact: