---
title: Coldstream backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
question: "Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Coldstream?"
place: Coldstream, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/coldstream
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Coldstream
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-chickens/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-chickens.json"
---

# Coldstream backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Coldstream, https://www.coldstream.ca)  
**Cost:** No permit or registration fee for keeping hens is stated.  
**How long:** Not applicable.  
**Where:**
- Phone: District of Coldstream Municipal Hall (Development Services), 250-545-5304 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Online: Zoning map, https://www.coldstream.ca/business-development/zoning-mapping

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), s. 501.6(10) (R1)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "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:"
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), s. 502.6(8) (R2)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "Urban Agriculture is restricted to the following:" … "not more than 4 hens; and"
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), s. 503.6(9) (R3), 504.6(7) (R4)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of animals under a Hobby Farm Agriculture use is limited to the following:" … "up to 6 hens;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Most hens:** 4 hens in the R1 and R2 zones; 6 hens in the R3 and R4 zones.
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), s. 501.6(10), 502.6(8)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "Urban Agriculture is restricted to the keeping of up to 4 hens, and:" … "not more than 4 hens; and"
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), s. 503.6(9), 504.6(7)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "up to 6 hens;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Roosters:** No roosters in the R1 and R2 zones. The R3 and R4 hobby-farm rules do not mention roosters.
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), s. 501.6(10)(e)(vii), 502.6(9)(d)(vii)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA); and vii. no roosters permitted. DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM ZONING BYLAW NO. 1838, 2024"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coop rules:** 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.
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), s. 502.6(9) (R2); same wording in s. 501.6(10) (R1)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit or registration:** Not confirmed. No permit, licence or registration for hens is stated in the bylaw or District pages read.
- **Bees:** 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.
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), s. 502.6(8)(b) (R2)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "not more than 2 beehives and nucleus colonies."
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), s. 503.6(9)(b), 504.6(7)(b)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "up to 6 beehives and nucleus colonies;"
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), s. 200 (definition)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "BEEKEEPING means the keeping and maintaining of bees or beehives on a lot occupied by the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other livestock:** 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.
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), s. 503.6(9)(c)-(f), 504.6(7)(c)-(f)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024
  - Source: [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026), title page](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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.

- **R1 and R2:** up to 4 hens. No roosters.
- **R3 and R4:** up to 6 hens. The rules do not mention roosters.
- **Bees:** up to 2 beehives and nucleus colonies in R2, and up to 6 in R3 and R4. The R1 rule lists hens only.
- **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.

## Steps

1. Find your zone on the zoning map.
2. 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.
3. Keep it clean, dry and free of odours, and remove the manure.
4. Follow Canadian Food Inspection Agency biosecurity procedures. Do not slaughter or euthanize hens on the premises.

## Good to know

- No permit, licence or registration for hens is stated in the bylaw or the District pages we read. Ask Development Services if unsure.
- 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.
- 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.
- Some site-specific zones have their own rules. Ask before you buy birds.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/how-many-pets.md)
- [Coldstream zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Coldstream dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/dog-licence.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/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)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [District of Coldstream Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Zoning Mapping, District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/business-development/zoning-mapping) (read 2026-11-06)

_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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Coldstream. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-chickens/_