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

# Dawson Creek backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

**Short answer:** In Dawson Creek you may keep up to 6 hens per parcel with a City hen licence ($24.46 in 2026, plus taxes), in the zones where zoning allows it. Roosters and other livestock are banned unless the land is in the ALR, classed as a farm, or zoned agricultural, paddock or stable. Bees need a separate licence.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Dawson Creek, https://www.dawsoncreek.ca)  
**Cost:** Hen licence $24.46 and beekeeping licence $24.46 (2026, plus taxes). Fees are non-refundable.  
**Where:**
- Phone: City of Dawson Creek (main line), 250-784-3600
- Phone: Bylaw Enforcement, 250-784-3657

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** Yes, with a backyard hen licence from the City. Zoning lists backyard hen keeping as an accessory use in RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RM-1, RM-2, RM-3, RMH-1, INS-1, A and CD-3 zones. The keeper must live at the property and be the owner or have the owner's permission.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 15.1, 16.1.a](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "No person will keep any hens within the boundaries of the City unless that person is engaging in backyard hen keeping and holds a valid and subsisting hen licence under this Bylaw." … "be the registered owner or obtain permission from the registered property owner of the property where hens are kept, and reside at the property where the hens are kept;"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 4625, 2026, s. 6.11.1 (RS-1) and zone use lists](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/143791)
  - Official wording: "The following uses and no others are permitted in the RS-1 Zone" … "iv. backyard hen keeping" … "The following uses and no others are permitted in the RS-2 Zone" … "The following uses and no others are permitted in the RS-3 Zone" … "The following uses and no others are permitted in the RMH-1 Zone" … "The following uses and no others are permitted in CD-3 Zone:" … "a) Principal Uses i. triplex b) Accessory Uses i. accessory building or structure ii. backyard beekeeping iii. backyard hen keeping"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Most hens:** No more than 6 hens per parcel of land.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 16.1.b](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "keep no more than six (6) hens per parcel of land;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Roosters:** No. Roosters are defined as livestock, and livestock may not be kept in the City except on ALR land, property classed as a farm, or land zoned agricultural, intensive agricultural, paddock or stable. The hen rules cover only adult female hens.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 2.1, 3.1, 10.1](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "animals of the avian class including turkeys, ducks, geese, emus, ostriches, pheasants and roosters and capons, but excluding hens; and" … "no person shall keep any livestock within the boundaries of the City." … "Zoned to allow agricultural, intensive agricultural, paddock, or stable uses."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 4625, 2026, Definitions](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/143791)
  - Official wording: "BACKYARD HEN KEEPING means the keeping of adult female domesticated fowl"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coop rules:** Run: fenced on all sides against predators; at least 1 m² covered space per hen; under 2.4 m high; at least 2.0 m from any parcel line and behind the front face of the main building. Coop: at least 2.0 m from rear or side parcel line (no rear setback for a coop under 1 m² where there is a lane); at least 0.5 m² floor per hen; a perch 15 cm per hen; one nest box per four hens. No cages.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 16.1.c, 16.1.d, 16.1.f](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "provides at least 1 square metre of covered outdoor space per hen;" … "is less than 2.4 metres in height;" … "is sited at least 2.0 metres from any parcel line and located to the rear of the front face of the principal building;" … "is sited at least 2.0 metres from the rear or side parcel line where there is no lane." … "provides at least 0.5 square metres of coop floor area per hen;" … "at least one nest box per four hens" … "not keep the hen in a cage;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit or registration:** Yes. A backyard hen licence is required (apply within 7 days of becoming the owner of hens). Annual fee $24.46 in 2026, plus taxes; non-refundable; valid only for the person it was issued to.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 15.1 to 15.6](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "must apply for a licence and pay the applicable licence fee within seven (7) days of becoming the owner of backyard hens." … "Every backyard hen licence is valid only for the owner of the backyard hens to whom it was issued."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171)
  - Official wording: "Annual Hen Keeping Licence Fee $23.98 $24.46 $24.95 $25.45"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bees:** Yes, with a beekeeping licence ($24.46 in 2026). Keeper must be registered under the BC Bee Regulation with a registered apiary, and own the property or have the owner's written permission. Maximum 4 colonies per parcel (typically 2 colonies and 2 nucleus colonies), all behind the front face of the main dwelling, with the entrance facing away from neighbours behind a fence or hedge 1.8 m or higher, or at least 2.5 m above ground on a platform.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 17.1, 18.1](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "No person will keep bees in the City unless that person holds a valid and subsisting beekeeping licence" … "be registered as a beekeeper under the Bee Regulation, B.C. Reg. 3/2015 and amendments" … "keep a maximum of four (4) colonies per parcel" … "locate all colonies at the rear of the front face of the principal dwelling;" … "continuous fence or hedge that is 1.8 metres or more in height" … "situated 2.5 metres or more above ground level."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171)
  - Official wording: "Annual Bee Keeping Licence Fee $23.98 $24.46 $24.95 $25.45"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other livestock:** Not allowed in the City (horses, mules, donkeys, llamas, alpacas, sheep, pigs including potbellied pigs, goats, ducks, geese, turkeys and similar), except on ALR land, property classed as a farm, or land zoned agricultural, intensive agricultural, paddock or stable.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 2.1 "Livestock", 3.1, 10.1](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "horses, mules, donkeys, camels, llamas, alpacas, sheep, pigs (including potbellied pigs) and goats;" … "no person shall keep any livestock within the boundaries of the City." … "Designated as part of the agricultural land reserve under the Agricultural Land Commission Act;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, and Zoning Bylaw No. 4625, 2026
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 1.1](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
  - Official wording: "ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 4420, 2019"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 4625, 2026, s. 1](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/143791)
  - Official wording: "ZONING BYLAW NO. 4625, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

[Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420](<https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100>) allows backyard hens in Dawson Creek with a City hen licence. [Zoning Bylaw 4625](<https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/143791>) lists hen keeping as an accessory use in zones RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RM-1, RM-2, RM-3, RMH-1, INS-1, A and CD-3. It is not listed in commercial or industrial zones. The keeper must live at the property and be the owner or have the owner's permission. No more than 6 hens per parcel; hens are for personal use only.

## Steps

1. Check that your zone allows hens.
2. Apply for the hen licence within 7 days of becoming the owner of hens. It costs $24.46 in 2026, plus taxes, and is valid only for the person it was issued to.
3. Build the coop and run to the rules below.

## Good to know

- Run: fenced on all sides against predators; at least 1 m² of covered space per hen; under 2.4 m high; at least 2.0 m from any parcel line and behind the front face of the main building.
- Coop: at least 2.0 m from the rear or side parcel line (no rear setback for a coop under 1 m² where there is a lane); at least 0.5 m² of floor per hen; a perch of 15 cm per hen; one nest box per four hens. No cages. Manure must be stored in a fully enclosed structure (maximum 1 cubic metre).
- No roosters. Horses, mules, donkeys, llamas, alpacas, sheep, pigs, goats, ducks, geese, turkeys and similar animals are livestock, allowed only on ALR (Agricultural Land Reserve) land, property classed as a farm, or land zoned agricultural, intensive agricultural, paddock or stable.
- Bees: a beekeeping licence ($24.46 in 2026), registration under the BC Bee Regulation, and the owner's written permission if you rent. Maximum 4 colonies per parcel, behind the front face of the main dwelling, with entrances facing away from neighbours behind a fence or hedge 1.8 m or higher, or at least 2.5 m above ground on a platform.
- No hen licence or failing the hen rules: bylaw notice $150 ($100 within 14 days; $200 late); municipal ticket $300. The City can cancel or suspend a licence.
- The City has announced changes to animal services and licensing from December 2026; check with the City.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100)
- [Zoning Bylaw 4625 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/143791)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Dawson Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/how-many-pets.md)
- [Dawson Creek dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/dog-licence.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Taylor](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Fort St. John](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112100) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 4625, 2026 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/143791) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112178) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112527) (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 Dawson Creek. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/backyard-chickens/_