Duncan backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Duncan?
Short answer
In the City of Duncan you may keep up to 6 hens (no roosters), but only in the Low Density Residential zone on a lot over 450 square metres. You may also keep up to 2 beehives if you live on the property. Mammals with hooves are not allowed.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Yes, as a lawful accessory use under the Zoning Bylaw: only in the Low Density Residential zone, on a lot over 450 m². The keeper must own the property or have the owner's permission. No hens inside a dwelling, on a balcony or deck, or in a cage (except to transport).Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017, consolidated to August 24, 2026, s. 3.17.1; Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 6.9.2, 6.9.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA maximum of six (6) hens may be kept on a parcel within the Low Density Residential Zone where the lot is greater than 450 m2 No person may keep Hens on Property unless the Hens are kept as a lawful accessory use of the Property has the permission of the registered owner of the Property to keep the Hens within a residential dwelling unit, or on a balcony or deck |
|---|---|
| Most hens | 6 hens per property.Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 6.9.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017, consolidated to August 24, 2026, s. 3.17.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person may keep more than 6 Hens on a Property. A maximum of six (6) hens may be kept on a parcel |
| Roosters | No. The bylaw bans any poultry or roosters other than up to 6 hens. A hen must be at least 4 months old.Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 3.1.2(c), s. 2 (Hen) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingany poultry or roosters, other than up to 6 Hens if each Hen is kept in accordance with this Bylaw means a domesticated female chicken that is at least four (4) months |
| Coop rules | Hens must stay in a coop-and-pen enclosure: each at least 0.92 m high and 0.37 m² floor area per hen, no more than 3 m high, in the rear yard, at least 2.5 m from lot lines and 3 m from any dwelling door or window. Hens locked in the coop from sunset to sunrise; yard fully fenced; nesting box and 15 cm perch.Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 2 (Backyard Hen Enclosure), s. 6.9.5, 6.9.6; Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017, consolidated to August 24, 2026, s. 3.17.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingeach with at least 0.92 metres in height provides consistent access to a nesting box and its own perch that is at least 15 centimetres long the backyard surrounding the Backyard Hen Enclosure is fully fenced locked Coop from sunset to sunrise located not less than 2.5 m from the rear parcel line, exterior side parcel line and interior side parcel lines located not less than 3 m from any door or window of a dwelling unit located within the rear yard of the parcel not more than 3 m in height |
| Permit or registration | No licence or permit under the Animal Care and Control Bylaw, and the City's animal control page says a licence is not required. The Zoning Bylaw still says to register hens with the City under the old Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw, which Bylaw 3197 repealed. No fee found.Sources differ: Zoning Bylaw s. 3.17.1 (consolidated to August 24, 2026) requires registration under a bylaw that no longer exists; Bylaw 3197 and the City page say no licence. Searched Bylaw 3197 and the Fees and Charges Bylaw for any hen registration or fee: none.Animal Control, Hens; Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017, consolidated to August 24, 2026, s. 3.17.1; Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 12.2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA person may keep up to 6 hens on a property. A licence is not required. provided that the owner or occupier of the parcel registers the hens with the City in accordance with the Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw Animal Regulation and lmpounding Bylaw No. 3139, 2015" is hereby repealed. |
| Bees | Yes, with limits: no more than 2 beehives per property, the keeper must live on the property, provide water, keep each hive at least 3 m from every property line, and act at once to end swarming or aggressive behaviour.Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 6.7.1, 6.7.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingnot keep more than two beehives on any Property be a resident of the Property where the bees are kept is situated no less than 3 metres away from each Property line |
| Other livestock | No mammals with hooves, no mink or chinchilla, and no poultry other than up to 6 hens. Rabbits up to 6 and guinea pigs up to 4. Up to 90 racing pigeons for club members.Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 3.1.2, 3.1.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingany mammal with hooves; or any mink or chinchilla. more than 6 rabbits; more than 4 guinea pigs; up to 90 racing pigeons for the purpose of pigeon racing |
| Bylaw | Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019 (s. 3.1, 6.7, 6.9) and Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (s. 3.17)Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019, s. 1 (Title); Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017, consolidated to August 24, 2026, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis bylaw may be cited as the “Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019”. Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 |
How it works
Hens are allowed as an accessory use under the Zoning Bylaw No. 3166: only in the Low Density Residential zone, on a lot over 450 square metres. You must own the property or have the owner's permission. The Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197 sets the care rules.
Steps for hens
- Check your zone and lot size with Development Services at 250-746-6126 or developmentservices@duncan.ca.
- Own the property or get the owner's permission.
- Build a coop and pen in the rear yard that is at least 0.92 metres high, no more than 3 metres high, with at least 0.37 square metres of floor per hen.
- Place it at least 2.5 metres from lot lines and 3 metres from any dwelling door or window.
Good to know
- Up to 6 hens, at least 4 months old. No roosters. No hens inside a dwelling, on a balcony or deck, or in a cage except to transport them.
- Lock the hens in the coop from sunset to sunrise. The yard must be fully fenced. The coop needs a nesting box and a 15 cm perch.
- Do not sell eggs, manure or meat from the property, and do not slaughter on it.
- Store hen food indoors in airtight containers. Store manure enclosed, up to 3 cubic metres, and keep it out of City garbage, recycling and organics.
- Licence: the City's animal control page and Bylaw 3197 say no licence or permit is needed. The Zoning Bylaw still says to register hens under an old bylaw that has been repealed. No fee was found. Confirm with the City.
- Bees: up to 2 beehives per property. The keeper must live there, provide water, keep each hive at least 3 metres from every property line, and act at once on swarming or aggressive bees.
- Other animals: up to 6 rabbits and 4 guinea pigs. No mammals with hooves, mink or chinchilla. Up to 90 racing pigeons for club members.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
North Cowichan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Lake Cowichan · Sidney · Central Saanich
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Animal Control, City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 3197, 2019 (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017, consolidated to August 24, 2026 (PDF), City of Duncan (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.