{"title":"Coldstream backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules","question":"Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Coldstream?","slug":"backyard-chickens","place":{"path":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Coldstream","url":"https://www.coldstream.ca"},"short_answer":"In Coldstream, you can keep hens in the urban R1 and R2 zones (up to 4) and the rural R3 and R4 zones (up to 6). No roosters in R1 and R2. No permit or registration for hens is stated. Rules are in the Zoning Bylaw.","aliases":["backyard chickens coldstream","keep hens coldstream","beehives coldstream","livestock coldstream"],"cost":"No permit or registration fee for keeping hens is stated.","how_long":"Not applicable.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"District of Coldstream Municipal Hall (Development Services)","value":"250-545-5304","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"online","label":"Zoning map","value":"https://www.coldstream.ca/business-development/zoning-mapping"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024","url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/"}],"related":[{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/how-many-pets/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Coldstream zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Coldstream dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dog-licence/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/backyard-chickens/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens/"},"facts":{"hens_allowed":{"label":"Hens allowed","value":"Yes, in the urban R1 and R2 zones (in R1 only on a lot with a Single-Detached Dwelling and not more than 1 ADU) and, as hobby farm agriculture, in the rural R3 and R4 zones.","short":"Yes, R1 and R2 zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 501.6(10) (R1)","quotes":["restricted to a lot with a Single-Detached Dwelling and not more than 1","Urban Agriculture is restricted to the keeping of up to 4 hens, and:"]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 502.6(8) (R2)","quotes":["Urban Agriculture is restricted to the following:","not more than 4 hens; and"]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 503.6(9) (R3), 504.6(7) (R4)","quotes":["The keeping of animals under a Hobby Farm Agriculture use is limited to the following:","up to 6 hens;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"max_hens":{"label":"Most hens","value":"4 hens in the R1 and R2 zones; 6 hens in the R3 and R4 zones.","short":"4 hens (6 in R3 and R4 zones)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 501.6(10), 502.6(8)","quotes":["Urban Agriculture is restricted to the keeping of up to 4 hens, and:","not more than 4 hens; and"]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 503.6(9), 504.6(7)","quotes":["up to 6 hens;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"roosters":{"label":"Roosters","value":"No roosters in the R1 and R2 zones. The R3 and R4 hobby-farm rules do not mention roosters.","short":"No in R1 and R2 zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 501.6(10)(e)(vii), 502.6(9)(d)(vii)","quotes":["Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA); and vii. no roosters permitted. DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM ZONING BYLAW NO. 1838, 2024"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"coop_rules":{"label":"Coop rules","value":"R1 and R2: hens need a coop, run and enclosure with at least 0.4 m² of enclosed area per hen; not in the front yard setback area, at least 3 m from all other lot lines; kept clean, dry and free of odours; manure removed; no slaughter or euthanizing on the premises; follow CFIA biosecurity procedures.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 502.6(9) (R2); same wording in s. 501.6(10) (R1)","quotes":["all hens must be provided a coop, run, and enclosure;","must have a minimum enclosed area of 0.4 m2 per hen;","not permitted to be located within a front yard setback area, and a minimum of 3 m from all remaining lot lines;","hens are not euthanized or slaughtered on the premises;","adhere to Biosecurity Procedures recommended by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA); and"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"registration":{"label":"Permit or registration","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_published","note":"No permit, licence or registration for hens is stated in the bylaw or District pages read.","sources":[]},"bees":{"label":"Bees","value":"Allowed in some zones: up to 2 beehives and nucleus colonies in the R2 zone; up to 6 in the R3 and R4 zones. The R1 urban-agriculture rule lists hens only.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 502.6(8)(b) (R2)","quotes":["not more than 2 beehives and nucleus colonies."]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 503.6(9)(b), 504.6(7)(b)","quotes":["up to 6 beehives and nucleus colonies;"]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 200 (definition)","quotes":["BEEKEEPING means the keeping and maintaining of bees or beehives on a lot occupied by the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_livestock":{"label":"Other livestock","value":"R1 and R2: urban agriculture is limited to hens (and bees in R2). R3 and R4: on a lot of 2 ha or more, up to 4 common livestock (cattle, cows, goats, horses, sheep, pigs or a combination); on 4 ha or more, up to 8. Some ALR-linked horse and cattle uses are excluded from these limits.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 503.6(9)(c)-(f), 504.6(7)(c)-(f)","quotes":["on a lot 2 ha or greater, up to 4 common livestock, including cattle, cows,","on a lot 4 ha or greater, up to 8 common livestock is permitted; (*2)","excludes lands where the keeping of horses is tied to a farm operation"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","section":"title page","quotes":["Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe District's [Zoning Bylaw 1838](<https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/>) allows hens in the urban R1 and R2 zones (in R1 only on a lot with a single-detached dwelling and not more than 1 accessory dwelling unit) and, as hobby farm agriculture, in the rural R3 and R4 zones. Check your lot's zone on the District's zoning map.\n\n- **R1 and R2:** up to 4 hens. No roosters.\n- **R3 and R4:** up to 6 hens. The rules do not mention roosters.\n- **Bees:** up to 2 beehives and nucleus colonies in R2, and up to 6 in R3 and R4. The R1 rule lists hens only.\n- **Other livestock:** in R1 and R2, urban agriculture is limited to hens (and bees in R2). In R3 and R4, up to 4 common livestock (cattle, cows, goats, horses, sheep, pigs or a combination) on a lot of 2 ha or more, and up to 8 on 4 ha or more.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your zone on the zoning map.\n2. In R1 or R2, build a coop, run and enclosure with at least 0.4 m² of enclosed area per hen. Keep it out of the front yard setback area and at least 3 m from all other lot lines.\n3. Keep it clean, dry and free of odours, and remove the manure.\n4. Follow Canadian Food Inspection Agency biosecurity procedures. Do not slaughter or euthanize hens on the premises.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- No permit, licence or registration for hens is stated in the bylaw or the District pages we read. Ask Development Services if unsure.\n- The R3 and R4 hobby-farm rules give a hen count but no coop size or setback; they refer to the A1 zone for agricultural setbacks.\n- Ducks and other fowl are not named in the R1 to R4 conditions. The A1 and A2 agricultural zones allow agriculture, which the bylaw defines to include keeping goats, horses, fowl, poultry and rabbits.\n- Some site-specific zones have their own rules. Ask before you buy birds.","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/","title":"District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/business-development/zoning-mapping","title":"Zoning Mapping, District of Coldstream","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"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."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-chickens/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-chickens.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-chickens.json"}}