The city is increasing dog licence fees to help offset rising costs of animal control.
Council approved a licence increase from $25 to $30 annually, though a $5 discount fee is still available for dog owners who pay before Feb. 28 of the licence year.
Licences that become due after July 1 in any year will increase from $15 to $20.
Impound fees will also go up to increase revenue and act as a deterrent for dog owners who allow their dogs to run at large.
City officials say fees have not increased since 2000, and that the new costs will come in line with other B.C. municipalities.
In Nanaimo there are approximately 6,600 licenced dogs. Licence tags are used to trace ownership and reunite dogs with their owners.