Castlegar backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?

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

Short answer

Hens and bees are allowed in the City of Castlegar, each with a one-time $10 licence. The hen and bee conditions (number of hens, coop rules) are in Bylaw 1342, which is not readable online, so ask the City. Other livestock is farm use, allowed only in the CPA, RMU and RC zones.

Key facts

Hens allowed	Yes. The Zoning Bylaw permits hens and bees 'despite any other provisions' of the Zoning Bylaw, in accordance with the Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw. The conditions are in Bylaw 1342 (not readable).Zoning Bylaw 1428, consolidated, Zoning Bylaw 1428, s. 4.3.1; Apply for a Pet Licence, Annual Fee Schedule · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Despite any other provisions of this Bylaw, hens and bees are permitted in accordance One Time Licence Fee for Hen Owners \| $10
Most hens	Not confirmed. The conditions for keeping hens are in Bylaw 1342, which is a scan that cannot be read.
Roosters	Not confirmed. The conditions for keeping hens are in Bylaw 1342, which is a scan that cannot be read.
Coop rules	Not confirmed. The conditions for keeping hens are in Bylaw 1342, which is a scan that cannot be read.
Permit or registration	Yes. Hen owners pay a one-time licence fee of $10.Apply for a Pet Licence, Annual Fee Schedule · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording One Time Licence Fee for Hen Owners \| $10
Bees	Allowed in line with Bylaw 1342 (Zoning s. 4.3.1). Beekeepers pay a one-time $10 licence fee. Under the Wildlife Attractant Control Bylaw, hives must be kept so they are reasonably inaccessible to wildlife.Zoning Bylaw 1428, consolidated, Zoning Bylaw 1428, s. 4.3.1; Apply for a Pet Licence, Annual Fee Schedule; Wildlife Attractant Control Bylaw 1411, Wildlife Attractant Control Bylaw 1411, s. 3(n) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Despite any other provisions of this Bylaw, hens and bees are permitted in accordance One Time Licence Fee for Beekeepers \| $10 Bees and beehives are kept in such a manner so as not to attract Wildlife or are kept in such a manner so that they are reasonably inaccessible to Wildlife.
Other livestock	Raising livestock is 'Agricultural Use' in the Zoning Bylaw, listed as permitted only in the CPA, RMU and RC zones, not in the residential zones, and unlisted uses are prohibited (s. 1.6.5). Hens and bees are the exception (s. 4.3.1). Bylaw 1342 s. 17 on farm animals could not be read.Zoning Bylaw 1428, consolidated, Zoning Bylaw 1428, s. 1.6.5 and Part 10 definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A Use not specifically permitted in a Zone is prohibited from that Zone unless otherwise Agricultural Use Means the cultivation and harvesting of crops and/or the raising of
Bylaw	Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw No. 1342 (hens and bees); Zoning Bylaw No. 1428, s. 4.3Apply for a Pet Licence, City page: Related Bylaws; Zoning Bylaw 1428, consolidated, Zoning Bylaw 1428, s. 1.1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Bylaw 1342 – Animal Control and Licencing This Bylaw may be cited as “Zoning Bylaw No. 1428”.

How it works

The Zoning Bylaw 1428 (section 4.3.1) allows hens and bees despite its other rules, in line with Animal Control and Licencing Bylaw 1342. Hen owners and beekeepers each pay a one-time $10 licence fee. The conditions are in Bylaw 1342, which is a scan with no readable text.

Good to know

Number of hens, whether roosters are allowed, and coop rules are not stated in any readable official text. The ticket schedule lists "fail to meet hen requirements" as an offence, but not the requirements.
How to apply for the hen licence is not stated separately. Ask at City Hall, 460 Columbia Avenue, or info@castlegar.ca.
Bees: under the Wildlife Attractant Control Bylaw 1411, hives must be kept so they are reasonably inaccessible to wildlife.
Other livestock: raising livestock is "Agricultural Use" in the Zoning Bylaw, which is permitted only in the CPA, RMU and RC zones, not in residential zones. Uses the bylaw does not list are prohibited.
Bylaw 1342 section 17 on farm animals is not readable.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Fruitvale · Trail · Warfield · Rossland · Nelson · Salmo

Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Apply for a Pet Licence, City of Castlegar (read 2026-11-05)
Zoning Bylaw 1428, consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Wildlife Attractant Control Bylaw 1411 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 3 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.