Virginia Beach Animal License

Any Virginia Beach resident may obtain a one, two, or three-year city dog or cat license by submitting an oral or written application to the City Treasurer or an appointed agent, accompanied by the amount of the license tax and the evidence of vaccination required and evidence of neuter/spay, if applicable.

A license tax is imposed on dogs and cats required to be licensed in the following non-refundable amounts:

​TYPE OF ANIMAL​​​

​1 YEAR

2 YEAR

3 YEAR

​TYPE OF ANIMAL​​​

Unspayed/Unneutered Pet

​1 YEAR

​$10

2 YEAR

$20

3 YEAR

$30

​TYPE OF ANIMAL​​​

​Spayed/Neutered Dog​

​1 YEAR

$7

2 YEAR

​$14

3 YEAR

$21​​

​TYPE OF ANIMAL​​​

Spayed/Neutered Cat

​1 YEAR

$5

2 YEAR

​$10

3 YEAR

$15

No license will be issued that exceeds the expiration date of the rabies certificate or where it is known that there are more than 4 dogs at one residence.

A quarterly prorated license tax shall be imposed on any dog or cat owner when he or she moves to Virginia Beach or purchases, adopts or otherwise acquires a dog or cat that has a current rabies vaccination. 

The proration shall be based on the date of residence or date of purchase as compared to the date of rabies expiration. Verification of these dates must be provided at the time of licensing. Quarterly proration of the license fee shall be determined based on the amount of time remaining before the rabies vaccination expires.

Note: Prorated Licenses are not available at PetData or our Veterinarian/Agents, only at our City Treasurer’s Office locations.

Monies collected for animal licenses are dedicated to maintaining the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Obtain a License

PetData Inc. operates the animal licensing program for the Virginia Beach Treasurer's Office. Once registered they will mail you a reminder prior to your animal’s rabies expiration date and/or license expiration date. Licenses may be obtained online, at any one of five Treasurer’s locations, or at participating veterinary agents (see below).

Service Dogs

  • Service Dogs are eligible for a license at no charge with the completion of a Service Dog Application for Animal License Exemption
  • A license is still issued and expires on the same date as the rabies expiration date. 
  • Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and therefore are not exempt. For more information, please visit the ADA website.

Kennels & Catteries

License for 5-20 animals - $35
License for 21+ animals - $50
  • Kennel licenses are required to have approval from Zoning and a Conditional Use Permit via the Planning Department prior to the application of a kennel license.
  • Cattery licenses are not required to have approval prior to application if the cattery is for personal and not business use.
  • Kennel and Cattery licenses are required to renew annually.