Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality
137 placesWhat the bylaws of 137 places in British Columbia say on the same question, side by side. Each cell is a short form of a fact that is sourced, quoted and checked on the place's own page.
| Place | Hens allowed | Most hens | Roosters | Permit or registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mile House | No rule found; only agricultural zones (A-1, A-2, A-3) | None set | Not confirmed | None set |
| Abbotsford | Only in agricultural, RR and CR zones | No hen count; SRH zone 50 animal units per hectare | No in SRH zone; other zones not stated | Not confirmed |
| Anmore | Conflicting: up to 12 hens, but 2 acres required | 12 under 1 acre; 24 over 1 acre (2 acre rule too) | No under 1 acre; 1 rooster over 1 acre | Not confirmed |
| Armstrong | Yes, R.1 lots of at least 600 m² | 6 hens | No | Yes, $50 permit fee; City inspection first |
| Ashcroft | Yes, rear yard, for personal egg use only | 4 hens (12 per 3,000 m² in RR1) | No | Not confirmed |
| Barriere | Not confirmed | None set | Not confirmed | None set |
| Belcarra | Yes, all residential zones | 6 hens (minimum 2) | No | Yes, $50 registration fee |
| Bowen Island | Not named in bylaw; unclear | None set | None set | None set |
| Burnaby | Yes, R1 lots at least 15 m wide and 560 m² | 2 to 4 hens | No | Not confirmed |
| Burns Lake | Yes, R1 zone only | Six hens | No | Not confirmed |
| Campbell River | Yes, residential or PA-1 zones, with City licence | 6 hens (10 per 0.4 ha in RU zones) | No (except RU-1, RU-2, RU-3 zones) | Yes, one-time $10 licence fee |
| Canal Flats | Not named; agricultural A-1 zone only | None set | None set | Not confirmed |
| Castlegar | Yes, under Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Yes, one-time $10 licence fee |
| Central Saanich | Yes on residential lots, within lot-size limits | 8 to 12 chickens or ducks, by lot size | No, unless agriculture is permitted | Not confirmed |
| Chase | Yes, lots over 550 m² in some R zones, registered | Four hens | No | Yes, free BCPID, then Village permit |
| Chetwynd | Yes in some zones (AG, RU1, RU2, R1) | 5 hens | No | Yes, no fee stated |
| Chilliwack | No in ordinary residential zones | No hen count set | Not confirmed | None found; no City fee |
| Clearwater | Yes in SH-1, CR-1 and RL-1 zones | 4 to 50 poultry and rabbits, by lot size | No, except where agriculture is primary use | Not confirmed |
| Clinton | No hen rule found; agricultural zones | Not confirmed | No, except in A1 zone | Not confirmed |
| Coldstream | Yes, R1 and R2 zones | 4 hens (6 in R3 and R4 zones) | No in R1 and R2 zones | Not confirmed |
| Colwood | Yes, lots of 550 m² to under 4,000 m² | Four chickens | No on lots under 4,000 m² | Not confirmed |
| Comox | Yes, lots of 1,500 m² or more, rear yard | Six hens | No | Not confirmed |
| Courtenay | Yes, lots with a single residential dwelling | Six hens | No | Not confirmed |
| Cranbrook | Not clearly allowed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Creston | Yes, with Town hen licence, R1 or R5 zone | Six hens | No | Yes, $23 a year ($20 on Town's page) |
| Cumberland | Yes, residential zones, rear yard only | Six female birds | No | Not confirmed |
| Daajing Giids | Yes in LR and RR zones only | None set | None set | None set |
| Dawson Creek | Yes, with a backyard hen licence | 6 hens | No | Yes, annual $24.46 licence fee |
| Delta | Yes, RS or RD zones, with City licence | 2 to 4 hens (12 poultry on RS2 lots of 0.2 ha or more) | No | Yes, $50 a year licence |
| District of North Vancouver | Yes, RS zones, with District hen permit | 2 to 6 hens | No | Yes, $66 application plus $66 a year |
| Duncan | Yes, Low Density Residential lots over 450 m² | 6 hens | No | Not required; no fee found |
| Elkford | Yes, in R-1, R-2, R-MH, R-MP and P-1 zones | Five hens | No | Not confirmed |
| Enderby | Yes, up to five hens in R.1, R.1-A and R.2 zones | Five hens | No | Yes, $50 application fee; inspection first |
| Esquimalt | Yes, Single or Two Family Residential zones | 7 hens | No | Not confirmed |
| Fernie | Only in RWF and RWF1 zones; confirm with City | 6 chickens or ducks | No, except on agricultural-zoned parcels | Not confirmed |
| Fort St James | Yes, R-1 zone only | Four hens | No | Not confirmed |
| Fort St. John | No on ordinary residential lots | Not confirmed | No | Not confirmed |
| Fruitvale | Yes, if registered with the Village | 4 hens | No, except on agricultural-zoned lands | Yes, with BC Premises ID number; no fee stated |
| Gibsons | No, except in AG zone | None set | None set | None set |
| Gold River | Only on lots of at least 0.81 ha (2.0 acres) | Twelve per 0.40 ha, on lots of 0.81 ha or more | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Golden | Yes, with a Town registration | Six hens or ducks | No | Yes, no fee stated |
| Grand Forks | No | None set | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Granisle | Yes in R-1, R-3, R-3A, RR-1 and RR-2 zones | Six hens | No | None set |
| Greenwood | Yes, residential zones, with annual licence | 5 hens (10 on lots of 929 m² or more) | No | Yes, annual licence; inspection first |
| Highlands | Not confirmed | None set | None set | None set |
| Hope | Only hobby farms, parcels of at least 0.8 hectares | Six per 0.1 hectare on a hobby farm | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Houston | Yes, R1 zone and where agriculture is permitted | None set | Not confirmed | None set |
| Invermere | Only RR-1 and RR-2 zones; call District | No hen count; farm-animal zones only | None set | Not confirmed |
| Kamloops | Yes, lots of 370 m² to 4,000 m², owner lives there | Two to five hens | No | Yes, no fee |
| Kaslo | Yes in R-1, R-2, RM-1, RM-1A, P-1, P-2 zones | Six female birds | No | None set |
| Kelowna | Only A1, A2, RR1, RR2 lots, half to one acre | Up to ten poultry on lots of 0.20 to 0.40 ha | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Kent | Yes in Rural Residential 1, 2, 3 and Agricultural zones | 24 poultry per 0.2 ha of lot | Not addressed; excluded from light agriculture | Not confirmed |
| Keremeos | Yes, RS1 parcels of at least 500 m² | 5 hens | No | Yes, free licence (and free BC Premises ID) |
| Kimberley | No | None allowed | No | None set |
| Kitimat | Yes, 2 to 6 hens, in R1 and R2 zones | 2 to 6 hens | No in residential zones | Yes, $0 fee |
| Ladysmith | Yes, up to six hens, single-detached lots, listed zones | Six hens | No | None mentioned; no fee |
| Lake Country | Yes, RR3 or RU1 lots over 500 m² | 5 hens | No | Yes, annual permit; free |
| Lake Cowichan | Yes, R-1, R-2, R-4 lots over 450 m² | 6 hens | No on lots under 2 acres | Not confirmed |
| Langford | Yes, residential zones, lots of 550 m² or more | 4 in total on lots under 4,000 m² | Lots of 4,000 m² or more: only on ALR land | Not confirmed |
| Langley City | Not confirmed | None set | None set | None set |
| Lantzville | Yes, parcels of 1,000 m² or more | None under 1,000 m²; 15 on 8,000 m² or more | No | Not confirmed |
| Lillooet | Yes, not on parcels under 625 m² | By lot size: none under 625 m² to unlimited | No | Not required |
| Lions Bay | No | None allowed | No | None set |
| Logan Lake | Yes, with Hen Owner Permit, R1, R3 and ER lots | 5 hens (25 in ER zones) | No | Yes, one-time $50 permit fee |
| Lumby | Yes, rural or residential lots, not R.5 | Four laying hens | No on residential lots or rural lots under 1 ha | None set |
| Mackenzie | Yes, with permit, R1, R2, R3 single-detached | 4 to 8 hens or ducks, by lot size | No | Yes, one-time $25 permit fee |
| Maple Ridge | Only lots of 0.4 ha or more (RS-3, A zones) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Merritt | Yes in R1, R3, P2 and P3 zones | Two to six hens | No | Not confirmed |
| Metchosin | Not named; accessory use in AR1, RR1, RR2, RR3 | 24 per 4,000 m² (pro-rated for smaller lots) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Midway | Yes, up to 3 hens, R1 and R2, 512 m² or more | 3 hens | Not named; only hens exempt from poultry ban | Yes, annual hen permit; no fee stated |
| Mission | Yes, all R zones and some others | 6 hens (minimum 2) | No | No City permit; BC premises ID needed |
| Nakusp | Yes, residential zones except RM-1 | Five hens | No, except in agricultural zones | None set |
| Nanaimo | Yes, up to 6 hens; 4 on parcels under 0.045 ha | 4 to 6 hens or ducks, by parcel size | No on parcels under 0.4 ha | None set |
| Nelson | No | None allowed | No | None set |
| New Hazelton | Yes, up to six hens | Six hens | No | None set |
| North Cowichan | Yes, over 8,000 m²; fewer on 1,675 m² to 8,000 m² | 12 poultry or rabbits on lots under 8,000 m² | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| North Saanich | Yes, R zones, lots of 1,115 m² or more | 10 to 30 birds, by lot size | No (1 allowed on parcels over 7,082 m²) | Not confirmed |
| North Vancouver | Yes, RS-1, RS-2 and other zones; personal use | Eight hens | No | Not required; no fee |
| Northern Rockies | No hen rule; hobby farm in RR-1, RR-2 | None set | None set | None set |
| Oak Bay | Yes, R-1 to R-5, owner lives on parcel | 5 on parcels of 1,114 m² or less; 10 on larger | No | Yes, registration form; no fee stated |
| Osoyoos | No, except in AG zone | None set | None set | None set |
| Parksville | Yes, lots of at least 1,000 m² | Four hens | No | Yes, coop registered; no fee found |
| Peachland | Yes, up to 6 on lots under 0.4 ha | 6 on lots under 0.4 ha (12 per 0.4 ha larger) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Pemberton | Yes, lots over 600 m² and under 0.4 ha | Five hens | No | Yes, backyard hen permit |
| Penticton | Yes, with hen permit; single detached lots | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Yes, $50 one-time permit fee |
| Pitt Meadows | No on ordinary town lots | No hen count set | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Port Alberni | Yes, single detached zones, lots of 350 m² or more | 4 to 6 hens, by lot size | No, except ALR land or parcels over 2,000 m² | Not confirmed |
| Port Clements | Not named; poultry in A-1 and RS zones | None set | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Port Coquitlam | Generally no | None set | None set | None set; hens banned in residential zones |
| Port Edward | Unclear; check with District | None set | No | None set |
| Port Hardy | Yes in R-1, R-1s, R-2 and RR-1 zones | 4 to 6 hens, by parcel size | No | Not required (applications voluntary) |
| Port Moody | No | None set | No | None set |
| Pouce Coupe | Yes, R-1 or R-2 zones, with permit and licence | Two to four hens | No | Yes, permit then annual $27.69 licence |
| Powell River | Yes, R1, R2, R3 zones (up to six) | 6 poultry (R1, R2, R3 lots); up to 24 on RA1, A1, A2 | No on R1, R2, R3 lots; 1 allowed on larger lots | None set |
| Prince Rupert | Unclear; livestock bylaw conflicts with zoning | None set | None set | None set |
| Princeton | Only in RC zone | Four hens | No | $15 a year; permit not stated |
| Qualicum Beach | Only with Temporary Use Permit, lots of 1,000 m² or more | Six (chickens and ducks combined) | No | Temporary Use Permit; fee not stated |
| Quesnel | Yes, in zones listing urban agriculture | 4 hens | No | None set |
| Revelstoke | Yes, with City licence, in R-LD1 to R-LD6 zones | 5 hens | No | Yes, $50 ($100 if paid after coop is in place) |
| Richmond | No on parcels under 2,000 m² | None set | No | None set |
| Rossland | Yes, residential areas; keeper lives there, owner consent | 15 hens | No, except agricultural zoning | None set |
| Saanich | Yes, registered, on lots of 557 m² to 1,114.8 m² | 5 hens (10 to 30 poultry on larger lots) | No | Yes, no fee |
| Salmo | Chickens only, parcels of at least 696.77 m² | 6 chickens | No | No hen permit or fee named |
| Salmon Arm | Yes, in zones where residential use is permitted | 6 to 48 poultry and rabbits, by lot size | No | No City permit or fee; Provincial Premises ID |
| Sechelt | Yes, residential zones except RM1 and RM2 | 6 to unlimited hens and rabbits, by lot size | Not confirmed | No District permit or fee; free BC PID |
| Sicamous | Yes, all zones outside the ALR | Four hens | No | Not confirmed |
| Sidney | Yes, with permit, single-family lots of 550 m² or more | Five hens | No | Yes, $100 permit fee |
| Silverton | Single-family lots, 12 m frontage, 20 m depth, licence | 12 poultry | No | Yes, $10 a year licence |
| Smithers | Yes, lots over 550 m² in LDR-1 and R-6 zones | 6 hens (12 on P-1 with Community Garden) | No | Yes, $15 registration fee |
| Sooke | No under 600 m²; up to 6 on 600 m² to 2,000 m² | Up to 6 on lots of 600 m² to 2,000 m² | No on lots under 2,000 m² | Not confirmed |
| Spallumcheen | Yes in R.1 zone; other zones vary | 6 or 12 hens, by parcel size | No | No Township permit; BC Premise ID |
| Sparwood | Yes, one-family residential zones, with permit | Five hens | No | Yes, $30 permit ($15 renewal) |
| Squamish | Yes, up to five hens per parcel | Five hens | No | Yes, register with the District |
| Stewart | Not hen-specific; agricultural use in R2, RR, SG zones | None set | None set | None set |
| Summerland | Yes, all residential zones; owner lives there | Five hens | No | Not confirmed |
| Surrey | Yes, lots over 669 m² and under 0.4 ha; register | 4 hens on lots under 0.4 ha; 12 per 0.4 ha larger | No in residential areas | Yes, free; BC Premises ID needed |
| Tahsis | Yes, any parcel in every zone | Six hens | No | Not confirmed |
| Taylor | Yes in A-1, A-2 and R-1 zones | Six hens | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Telkwa | Only in R1, C2 and C3 zones | 10 chickens under 0.91 ha; 20 on larger | No | Not confirmed |
| Terrace | Yes, up to four hens, R1, R1-A, R2, RS1 zones | Four hens | No | Yes, one-time $15 fee |
| Tofino | Not confirmed | None set | None set | None set |
| Township of Langley | No, agricultural zones only | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Trail | No hen rule found; agriculture in A1, A2 only | None set | No rule found; may fall under livestock rules | None set |
| Tumbler Ridge | Yes, with hen keeping licence, in listed zones | 8 hens | No | Yes, $20 hen keeping licence |
| Valemount | No, hens are prohibited animals | None set | No | None set |
| Vancouver | Yes, up to four hens, with City permit | Four hens | No | Yes, free permit, renewed annually |
| Vanderhoof | Yes, personal use, fully contained back or side yard | 4 hens | Not addressed; farm animals only in RR-1, RR-2, A-1 | None set |
| Vernon | Yes, single family lots, registered with City | Four hens (more only in agricultural zones) | Not on ordinary residential lots (unclear) | Yes, $5 per hen per year |
| Victoria | Yes, on keeper's own lot, number limited | Fifteen female chickens or poultry | No | None set |
| View Royal | Yes in R-1, R-1A and R-1B zones | Four hens (50 chickens in P-4 zone) | No | Not confirmed |
| Warfield | Yes, where domestic agriculture is permitted | 10 hens | No | None set |
| Wells | No hen rule; agriculture in RR 1, RR 2, R/A zones | None set | None set | None set |
| West Kelowna | Yes, lots over 400 m² | 5 to unlimited small livestock, by lot size | No on lots of 400 to 1,500 m²; limits on larger | Not confirmed |
| West Vancouver | Yes, single-family residential zones | Six chickens | No | Yes, $50 per flock |
| Whistler | No on ordinary residential lots | None set | Not confirmed | None set |
| White Rock | No | Not allowed | No | Not allowed |
| Williams Lake | Yes, R-1, R-3 and RR-1 zones, with licence | 3 to 6 hens, by parcel size | Not confirmed | Yes, $15 a year licence |
Reading this table
- Hens allowed: stated for 133 places, not confirmed for 4.
- Most hens: stated for 106 places, none set in 24, not confirmed for 7.
- Roosters: stated for 101 places, none set in 14, not confirmed for 22.
- Permit or registration: stated for 55 places, none set in 35, not confirmed for 47.
Each cell is a short form of the fact on that place's own page. Open the place to see the full wording, the bylaw and section it comes from, and the official text it was matched against. None set means the bylaw that was read sets no such rule. Not confirmed means it could not be established from the official sources, for example because the bylaw is posted as a scanned image.
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