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Dawson Creek backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

Can I keep chickens or other livestock?

Dawson Creek, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

Hens allowedYes, 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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 15.1, 16.1.a; Zoning Bylaw No. 4625, 2026, s. 6.11.1 (RS-1) and zone use lists · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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;
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
Most hensNo more than 6 hens per parcel of land.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 16.1.b · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
keep no more than six (6) hens per parcel of land;
RoostersNo. 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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 2.1, 3.1, 10.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 4625, 2026, Definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
BACKYARD HEN KEEPING means the keeping of adult female domesticated fowl
Coop rulesRun: 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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 16.1.c, 16.1.d, 16.1.f · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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;
Permit or registrationYes. 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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 15.1 to 15.6; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
Annual Hen Keeping Licence Fee $23.98 $24.46 $24.95 $25.45
BeesYes, 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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 17.1, 18.1; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
Annual Bee Keeping Licence Fee $23.98 $24.46 $24.95 $25.45
Other livestockNot 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.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 2.1 "Livestock", 3.1, 10.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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;
BylawAnimal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, and Zoning Bylaw No. 4625, 2026Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019, s. 1.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 4625, 2026, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW NO. 4420, 2019
ZONING BYLAW NO. 4625, 2026

How it works

Animal Responsibility Bylaw 4420 allows backyard hens in Dawson Creek with a City hen licence. Zoning Bylaw 4625 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

The same question in other places

Pouce Coupe · Taylor · Fort St. John · Chetwynd · Tumbler Ridge · Mackenzie

Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 4420, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Zoning Bylaw No. 4625, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule C (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278 (PDF) (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. How answers are checked.