- Call Customer Service:
1-800-574-1453
License Online
Licensing Ordinance
All dogs 6 months of age and older must be licensed with the City of Sterling Heights within 30 days of being in the city.
View the complete Sterling Heights ordinance:
Sterling Heights Animal Control Ordinance
Instructions to License Online
Ready to purchase your license? You may license online and pay for your license with a major credit card. A convenience fee of $2.00 will apply for each transaction. Multiple pets can be licensed in one transaction.
Any required documents, such as your pet's rabies vaccination certificate, may be scanned and uploaded or submitted later by fax, mail or email. The license will be issued after all required documents are received.
Please note that free licenses cannot be obtained through the online payment system. If you are a senior citizen (60+), please click here for other submission options.
If you prefer to pay by check or money order, click here to license by mail. If you need assistance, you may call customer service at 1-800-574-1453.
Required Paperwork
- A current rabies vaccination certificate is required if the rabies vaccination on file has expired. Please check your certificate for correct address and pet information.
- Proof of spay/neuter, such as a signed statement from a veterinarian or an invoice for services is required if the pet has been altered since the last licensing period.
- Proof of age is required to receive a free license for pets owned by senior citizens age 60 and over. Acceptable documents to show proof of age are copies of a driver's license or passport.
- Proof from the issuing agency is required to receive a free license for a service dog.
Your paperwork will not be returned to you, so please retain a copy of your documents for your records.
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Download License Application (PDF format) *To use as an electronic fillable form, open in Adobe Reader. |
License Fees
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Licensing Fees Effective 7/1/22 |
1 Year |
2 Year* |
3 Year* |
|
Unaltered Dog |
$24.00 |
$44.00 |
$64.00 |
|
Spayed/Neutered Dog |
$11.00 |
$17.00 |
$23.00 |
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Senior Owner (60+) |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Service Dog |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
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End of Year License for New Pets |
After November 1st |
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Unaltered Dog |
$12.00 |
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Spayed/Neutered Dog |
$6.00 |
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Other Fees |
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Replacement Tag |
$6.00 |
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Late Fee (After March 31st) |
$12.00 |
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* Multi-year licenses are available if the pet's rabies vaccination is current based on chart below. For licenses purchased in 2024:
- 1 year: expires 3/31/25, rabies vaccination must be current on purchase date.
- 2 year: expires 3/31/26, rabies vaccination must be current through 4/2/25.
- 3 year: expires 3/31/27, rabies vaccination must be current through 4/2/26.
The cost for licensing unaltered or fertile pets is higher than for licensing spayed or neutered pets in order to promote sterilization and to reduce pet overpopulation.
Please note that Potentially Dangerous Dogs must be licensed through City Hall and cannot be licensed through the mail or online.
| Download License Application (PDF format) *To use as an electronic fillable form, open in Adobe Reader. |
Due Date
Payment for your license is due by March 31st. If you are licensing for the first time, you must purchase a license within 30 days of obtaining a pet over the age of 6 months or within 30 days of moving into the City of Sterling Heights.
A late fee of $12.00 is added to the license fee if your license is not purchased by the due date.