---
title: Armstrong backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
question: "Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?"
place: Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/armstrong
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Armstrong
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-chickens/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-chickens.json"
---

# Armstrong backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

**Question:** Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?

**Short answer:** In the City of Armstrong, up to 6 hens (no roosters) and honeybees are allowed only in the R.1 single-family zone, on lots of at least 600 square metres, with a $50 City permit and an inspection. Other livestock is allowed only in an Agricultural zone or where the Zoning Bylaw says so.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Armstrong, https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca)  
**Cost:** The chicken and bee application forms show a $50 permit fee. No hen or bee fee was found in the Rates, Fees and Charges Bylaw.  
**How long:** Do not keep hens until the City has inspected the coop and run and sent you a confirmation letter. No processing time is stated.  
**Where:**
- Online: Keeping of Animals (applications and guides), https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/departments/keeping-of-animals/
- Phone: City Hall, 250-546-3023
- Email: City Hall, info@cityofarmstrong.bc.ca

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** Yes, only on single-family residential lots of at least 600 m² (Single Detached R.1), kept to the rear of the property. Zoning lists Backyard Hens as an accessory use in the R.1 zone. A tenant needs the owner's written approval.
  - Source: [Keeping of Animals, Keeping of Animals page](https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/departments/keeping-of-animals/)
  - Official wording: "Backyard chickens are permitted on single-family residential lots larger than 600 m², subject to City regulations."
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018, s. 7.2 and 7.4(a)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485)
  - Official wording: "property with a minim lots size of 600 m²" … "backyard hens will only be permitted if the principal caretaker of the hens is the" … "owner of the property and or provides written approval to their tenant"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024, s. 9.1.2(b)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358)
  - Official wording: "(ii) Backyard Bees (iii) Backyard Hens"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Most hens:** 6 hens per lot.
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018, s. 7.4(c)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485)
  - Official wording: "maximum number of hens is no greater than six (6);"
  - Source: [Keeping of Animals, Keeping of Animals page](https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/departments/keeping-of-animals/)
  - Official wording: "A maximum of 6 hens per lot"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Roosters:** Not allowed.
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018, s. 7.4(b)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485)
  - Official wording: "there is no permitted keeping of roosters;"
  - Source: [Keeping of Animals, Keeping of Animals page](https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/departments/keeping-of-animals/)
  - Official wording: "Roosters are not permitted in residential areas"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coop rules:** Coop and pen at least 0.37 m² and 0.92 m² per hen; coop roofed with a nesting box per hen; coop and pen not visible from the street and no more than 10 m² floor area or 2 m high; fully fenced yard at least 2 m high; 3 m from side and rear lot lines (unless the neighbour has no dwelling). Hens stay in the coop from sunset to 7 a.m.
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018, s. 7.3](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485)
  - Official wording: "minimum 0.37 m2" … "Coop space and 0.92 m2 Pen space per hen" … "Ensure the Coop and pen are not visible from the Street;" … "Ensure Coop and Pen does not exceed 10 m2 floor area or 2 meters height;" … "Provide a minimum set back of 3 meters from all sides and rear property lines;"
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018, s. 7.4(g)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485)
  - Official wording: "each hen remains at all times in a Coop or Pen and that each hen is kept within a" … "Coop from sunset to 7:00 am;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit or registration:** Yes. Submit the Keeping of Backyard Chickens Application to City Hall with a BC Premises ID number. Permit fee $50. Chickens must not be kept until the City inspects the coop and run and sends a confirmation letter.
  - Source: [Keeping of Animals, Keeping of Animals page](https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/departments/keeping-of-animals/)
  - Official wording: "Apply to Keep Backyard Chickens. To apply, submit the following:" … "Keeping of Backyard Chickens Application" … "Premises ID Registration Application"
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018, s. 7.4(r)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw Enforcement Officer must inspect the property upon which the backyard hens are proposed to be located to"
  - Source: [https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187649/, Application form, page 2 (For City Use Only) and page 1](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187649/)
  - Official wording: "$50.00 Permit Fee Paid" … "Chickens must not be kept until the initial inspection of the" … "permit fees paid"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bees:** Allowed, with a City permit ($50 fee) and inspection: to the rear of a Single Detached R.1 lot of at least 600 m². At most 3 colonies and/or 3 nucleus hives. Hives 3 m from side and rear lot lines (with exceptions) and from doors and windows, inside a secure fence or hedge at least 2 m high. Honey for personal use only; register the apiary with the Province.
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018, s. 6.2 to 6.4](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of bees must be contained entirely to the rear of a Single Detached R.1 property" … "the Beekeeper shall keep not more than three (3) colonies and or three (3)" … "Provide a minimum set back of 3 meters from all doors and windows;" … "Enclosed within a secure fence or hedge with a minimum height of 2.0 meters" … "honey produced by backyard bees is for personal use only, with commercial sales" … "they register their apiary location with the Province of British Columbia"
  - Source: [Keeping of Animals, Keeping of Animals page](https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/departments/keeping-of-animals/)
  - Official wording: "Maximum of 3 hives or nucs per lot"
  - Source: [https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187647/, Application form, page 2 (For City Use Only)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187647/)
  - Official wording: "$50.00 Permit Fee Paid" … "Bees must not be kept until the initial inspection of the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other livestock:** Livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, poultry and similar) may be kept only on lots in an Agricultural zone or where the Zoning Bylaw expressly allows. The City says other poultry such as ducks or turkeys are not permitted as backyard birds.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024, s. 3.3.1(g)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of livestock, except on a lot within an Agricultural zone or"
  - Source: [Keeping of Animals, Keeping of Animals page](https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/departments/keeping-of-animals/)
  - Official wording: "Other poultry such as ducks or turkeys are not permitted" … "The keeping of livestock within the City of Armstrong is regulated through zoning and agricultural regulations."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018 (Parts 6 and 7, added by Bylaw No. 1895, 2022); Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024.
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018, s. 1.2](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “City of Armstrong Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018”."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024, s. 9.1.2(b)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358)
  - Official wording: "(ii) Backyard Bees (iii) Backyard Hens"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Armstrong's [Good Neighbour Bylaw](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485) allows backyard hens and bees only on single-family lots of at least 600 m2 in the Single Detached R.1 zone, kept to the rear of the property. The [Zoning Bylaw](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358) lists both as accessory uses in R.1. A tenant needs the owner's written approval.

## Steps

1. Read the City's chicken or bee guides on the Keeping of Animals page.
2. Submit the Keeping of Backyard Chickens Application (or the Bees Application) to City Hall with a BC Premises ID number. The forms show a $50 permit fee.
3. The City inspects the coop and run, then sends a confirmation letter. Do not keep hens before you have it.

## Good to know

- **Hens:** at most 6; no roosters. Coop and pen at least 0.37 m2 and 0.92 m2 per hen; not visible from the street; no more than 10 m2 floor area or 2 m high; yard fully fenced at least 2 m high; 3 m from side and rear lot lines (unless the neighbour has no dwelling). Hens stay in the coop from sunset to 7 a.m. Eggs are for personal use only, and manure and meat may not be sold.
- **Bees:** a City permit and inspection; at most 3 colonies and/or 3 nucleus hives. Hives are 3 m from side and rear lot lines (with exceptions) and from doors and windows, inside a secure fence or hedge at least 2 m high. Honey is for personal use only; register the apiary with the Province.
- **Other livestock** (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, poultry and similar) is allowed only on lots in an Agricultural zone or where the Zoning Bylaw expressly allows it. The City says ducks and turkeys are not permitted as backyard birds.
- The bylaw's wording hints at exceptions for other lot types, but the Zoning Bylaw lists hens and bees as accessory uses in R.1 only. Ask City Hall about any other lot.

## What you'll need

- Keeping of Backyard Chickens Application, or Keeping of Backyard Bees Application
- BC Premises ID number
- Owner's written approval, if you rent

## Official forms and pages

- [Keeping of Backyard Chickens Application](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187649)
- [Keeping of Backyard Bees Application](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187647)
- [Premises ID Registration Application](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/182129)
- [Guide to Keeping Chickens (PDF)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/filepro/document/167223/Backyard%20Chicken%20General%20Information%20Guide.pdf)
- [Guide to Keeping Bees (PDF)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/filepro/document/167225/Backyard%20Bees%20General%20Information%20Guide.pdf)
- [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018 (PDF)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/how-many-pets.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [Keeping of Animals, City of Armstrong](https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/departments/keeping-of-animals/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1829, 2018 (PDF), City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/161485) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Keeping of Backyard Chickens Application, City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187649) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Keeping of Backyard Bees Application, City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187647) (read 2026-11-05)
- [https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187649/](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187649/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187647/](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/187647/) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Armstrong. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-chickens/_