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Abbotsford backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?

Abbotsford, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Abbotsford, chickens and other livestock are allowed only where zoning permits them: the agricultural zones (such as A1), Rural Residential (RR), Country Residential (CR) and, for hens, the Suburban Residential Hobby Farm (SRH) zone. Urban beekeeping is allowed on some residential lots.

Key facts

Hens allowedOnly where zoning allows. 'Agricultural Use', which includes poultry, is permitted in the A1 and other agricultural zones, Rural Residential (RR) and Country Residential (CR); 'Hobby Farm Agriculture' (poultry and rabbits) is an accessory use in SRH. The FVRD bylaw bars poultry elsewhere. The 2021 Good Neighbour Guide says chickens are not permitted in residential areas.Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 120 Definitions, Definitions: Agricultural Use; Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 310 Rural Residential Zone (RR), s. 310.1; Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 210 Agriculture Zone (A1), s. 210; Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 335 Suburban Residential Hobby Farm Zone (SRH), s. 335.1; FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part H, s. 35; Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021), Bees, Poultry and Livestock; https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400320, s. 320.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, fowl, pigeon, doves, apiculture, rabbits, or other
Principal Uses .1 Agricultural Use .2 Residential Care
To accommodate Agricultural Uses and complementary activities
.8 Hobby Farm Agriculture
presence of an aviary or apiary are not kept on any real property, except as permitted
pursuant to all applicable zoning and other regulations.
Chickens, livestock and beekeeping are not permitted in Abbotsford residential areas.
Agricultural Uses on large Lots
Most hensIn the SRH zone, poultry and rabbits together are limited to 50 animal units per hectare (20 per acre). No fixed number of hens is stated for other zones.Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 120 Definitions, Definitions: Hobby Farm Agriculture · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
(c) the keeping of poultry and rabbits to a maximum of 50 animal units per hectare
RoostersNot allowed in the SRH zone: hobby farm agriculture is 'limited to chicken hens'. Other zones: not stated.Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 335 Suburban Residential Hobby Farm Zone (SRH), s. 335.6.3(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Not include the keeping of roosters (limited to chicken hens); and
Coop rulesSRH zone: a Hobby Farm Agricultural Building must be at least 6.0 m from the front lot line, 7.5 m rear, 3.0 m interior side and 4.5 m exterior side; animals must be confined to prevent trespass. A1, RR and CR zones: agricultural buildings 7.5 m from an exterior lot line and 3.0 m from an interior lot line.Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 335 Suburban Residential Hobby Farm Zone (SRH), s. 335.3, 335.6.3; Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 210 Agriculture Zone (A1), s. 210.4 table, row .1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
d. Hobby Farm Agricultural Building – 6.0 m
d. Hobby Farm Agricultural Building – 7.5 m
d. Hobby Farm Agricultural Building – 3.0 m
e. Hobby Farm Agricultural Building – 4.5 m
Be suitably confined to prevent trespass by those animals listed in the
areas, and facilities, 7.5 m 3.0 m 3.0 m 0.0 m 0.0 m 15 m
Permit or registrationNot confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
BeesAllowed on lots with a single detached dwelling (not lots where Agricultural Use is permitted) if the beekeeper is registered with the Province. Lots under 540 m²: none. 540 m² or more: 2 hives and 2 nucleus colonies; 1,000 m²: 4; 2,000 m²: 6. Hives at the rear, behind a 1.8 m solid fence or hedge, entrance 6.0 m and sides/rear 3.0 m from lot lines, with a water source on the lot.Sources differ: The City's Good Neighbour Guide (2021) says beekeeping is not permitted in residential areas. Zoning Bylaw s. 140.11 (Urban Beekeeping, added by Bylaw 3249-2022 and amended 3691-2025, section last modified June 23, 2026) allows it; the bylaw is used. The FVRD bylaw s. 35 bars apiaries 'except as permitted pursuant to all applicable zoning'.Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations (s. 140.11 Urban Beekeeping); Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021), Bees, Poultry and Livestock · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Urban Beekeeping is permitted in all zones in which a Single Detached Dwelling
be undertaken by a beekeeper who is registered with the Province in
zero for Lots under 540 m2;
two Beehives and two Nucleus Colonies for Lots equal to or
four Beehives and four Nucleus Colonies for Lots equal to or
six Beehives and six Nucleus Colonies for Lots equal to or greater
behind a solid fence or hedge, a minimum of 1.8 m in Height,
setback the entrance a minimum of 6.0 m from any property line;
setback the side and rear a minimum of 3.0 m from any property
include a water source on the same Lot
Chickens, livestock and beekeeping are not permitted in Abbotsford residential areas.
Other livestockResidential lots: not allowed unless zoning permits (FVRD bylaw). SRH zone: goats and sheep up to 10 animal units per hectare (4 per acre), with poultry, rabbits and bees as above. A1 and RR zones: any 'Agricultural Use' (cattle, sheep, goats, horses and so on), with horses and swine under extra conditions in the A zones.FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part H, s. 35; Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 120 Definitions, Definitions: Hobby Farm Agriculture; Agricultural Use · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
presence of an aviary or apiary are not kept on any real property, except as permitted
(d) the keeping of goats and sheep to a maximum of 10 animal units per hectare
horses for riding, training and boarding, only when kept in accordance with the
BylawCity of Abbotsford Zoning Bylaw, 2014 (Bylaw No. 2400-2014), including s. 140.11 (Urban Beekeeping) and s. 335 (SRH zone); FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013, s. 35Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 120 Definitions, title; FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Zoning Bylaw No 2400-2014
Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation
Bylaw No. 1206, 2013

How it works

Whether you can keep hens depends on your lot's zone in Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014. "Agricultural Use", which includes poultry, is permitted in the A1 and other agricultural zones, Rural Residential (RR) and Country Residential (CR). "Hobby Farm Agriculture" (poultry and rabbits) is an accessory use in the Suburban Residential Hobby Farm (SRH) zone. The FVRD bylaw bars poultry elsewhere. The RS3 zone permits no agricultural use. Other zones were not read.

Good to know

  • Hen numbers: in SRH, poultry and rabbits together are limited to 50 animal units per hectare (20 per acre). The bylaw states no fixed number of hens for other zones.
  • Roosters: not allowed in SRH, where hobby farm agriculture is limited to chicken hens. Other zones: not stated.
  • Coops (SRH): a Hobby Farm Agricultural Building must be at least 6.0 m from the front lot line, 7.5 m from the rear, 3.0 m from an interior side and 4.5 m from an exterior side lot line, and animals must be confined to prevent trespass. In A1, RR and CR, agricultural buildings must be 7.5 m from an exterior lot line and 3.0 m from an interior lot line.
  • Registration: no permit, licence or registration for hens was found in the bylaws read.
  • Bees: allowed on lots with a single detached dwelling (not lots where Agricultural Use is permitted) if the beekeeper is registered with the Province. Lots under 540 m²: none. 540 m² or more: 2 hives and 2 nucleus colonies; 1,000 m²: 4; 2,000 m²: 6. Hives go at the rear, behind a 1.8 m solid fence or hedge, with the entrance 6.0 m and the sides and rear 3.0 m from lot lines, and a water source on the lot.
  • Other livestock: not allowed on residential lots unless zoning permits. In SRH, goats and sheep up to 10 animal units per hectare (4 per acre). A1 and RR permit any Agricultural Use, with extra conditions for horses and swine in the A zones.
  • The City's 2021 Good Neighbour Guide says chickens and beekeeping are not permitted in residential areas. The Guide's bees line is out of date because zoning s. 140.11 now allows urban beekeeping, so confirm your zone with Planning.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Mission · Township of Langley · Chilliwack · Langley City · Maple Ridge · Pitt Meadows

Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 120 Definitions (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 335 Suburban Residential Hobby Farm Zone (SRH) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 310 Rural Residential Zone (RR) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 210 Agriculture Zone (A1) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations (s. 140.11 Urban Beekeeping) (read 2026-11-05)
  6. FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  7. Abbotsford Good Neighbour Guide (2021) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  8. https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400320 (read 2026-11-05)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.