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Currently, licensing can be completed by:
  • US Postal Mail with check payment and rabies certificate.
  • By dropping check payment and rabies certificate into the Black Drop Box at front entrance to Town Hall.
  • Email rabies certificate to townclerk@colchestervt.gov and pay by debit/credit card at Xpress-Pay.
  • At the Town Clerk's counter, M-F, 8am to 4:30pm.
By law, all dogs must be licensed with the Town of Colchester, Town Clerk's Office each year.  Rabies certificates and proof of spayed/neutering are required to license your pet. Please see below for fee schedule for dogs.

Leash Law & Animal Ordinances
Animals are required to be "under the control" of the owner (or a member of his/her immediate family or other agent) anywhere besides the owner's property; the exception is a recreation/bike path, which specifically requires a leash of up to 6 feet. In this context, "under the control" of the owner implies that the person exhibits control of the animal by command, and that the animal is prevented from "causing injury, damage, disturbance or annoyance to others." Here are the specific ordinances:
  • Sec. 6-2. Running at large - A person who owns, harbors, keeps or controls a dog(s) shall not allow said dog(s) to run at large off the premises of said person's property on any public or private property (Where at large shall mean off the premises of the owner, and not in the presence of and under the control of the owner, a member of his immediate family, or an agent of the owner).
  • Sec. 6-4. Impounding - (a) Any dog running at large on public land or on land of other than the owner may be impounded by any police officer, constable or other person designated by the town for the control of dogs after such person(s) has determined that the animal poses a health threat or has been identified as being a public nuisance.
  • Sec. 9-38(A). Recreation path (bicycle paths) - 5. Users of recreation paths shall observe and obey the following rules: f. All dogs must be leashed on a maximum 6-foot leash. Dog droppings shall be removed from the path and the right of way by the person responsible for the dog.
  • Sec. 9-39. Domesticated animals, plants and wildlife - Domestic animals shall be permitted within park boundaries provided they are under the control of and attended by a responsible person. "Under the control of owner" means that the animal must stop and come to the owner upon command and that the animal is prevented at all times from causing injury, damage, disturbance or annoyance to others. Owners are responsible for immediate clean up of any waste or damage caused to park property.
  • Sec. 6-2. Running at large - A person who owns, harbors, keeps or controls a dog(s) shall not allow said dog(s) to run at large off the premises of said person's property on any public or private property.
  • Sec. 6-4. Impounding - a) Any dog running at large on public land or on land of other than the owner may be impounded by any police officer, constable or other person designated by the town for the control of dogs after such person(s) has determined that the animal poses a health threat or has been identified as being a public nuisance.
View the full ordinances for more information.