Elkford backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Elkford?
Short answer
In Elkford you may keep up to five hens (no roosters) in the R-1, R-2, R-MH, R-MP and P-1 zones, with coop and fencing rules. Bees are allowed in the same zones, up to four hives. No permit or fee for hens is listed.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Yes, hens only (not roosters), on parcels in the R-1, R-2, R-MH, R-MP and P-1 zones, with conditions. Agricultural animals are not restricted on A-1 parcels.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 9.4, 3.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingHens shall only be permitted on a Parcel in the R-1, R-2, R-MH, R-MP and P-1 zones in the Zoning Bylaw Nothing in this bylaw shall restrict the keeping of Agricultural Animals on any Parcel zoned A-1 |
|---|---|
| Most hens | Five hens per parcel.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 9.4(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingthe number of Hens on any individual Parcel is limited to five (5) |
| Roosters | No. Roosters are prohibited.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 9.4(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingthe keeping of roosters is prohibited |
| Coop rules | Hens must be in a secure coop from sunset to 7:00 a.m., and in a coop or pen at all other times. The coop must meet the Zoning Bylaw accessory building rules. A pen needs continuous electrified fencing 1.8 m high. Coop or pen at least 3 m from any dwelling windows or doors. Keep clean and free of waste and vermin. No slaughter or burial of hens on the property. No sale of manure, meat, eggs or other poultry products.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 9.4(c) to (i) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingHens must be kept within a secure coop from sunset to 7:00 a.m. any coop must comply with the requirements for Accessory Buildings in the Zoning Bylaw continuous electrified fencing that is 1.8 metres in height at least three (3) metres away from any dwelling windows or doors the slaughter and/or burial of Hens on the property is prohibited the sale of manure, meat, eggs, or any other poultry products or by-products of the Hens is |
| Permit or registration | Not confirmed. No permit or fee for hens is listed in Elkford's bylaws. |
| Bees | Yes, on parcels in the R-1, R-2, R-MH, R-MP and P-1 zones. Bees only in a beehive; at most four hives; hive must meet Zoning Bylaw accessory building rules and sit inside a continuous electrified fence 1.8 m high; prevent swarming and aggressive behaviour; owner must be registered with the BC apiculture registration system.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 9.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe keeping of Bees shall only be permitted on a Parcel in the R-1, R-2, R-MH, R-MP and P-1 Zones the number of beehives shall be limited to four (4) continuous electrified fence that 1.8 metres in height registered with the apiculture registration system for British Columbia |
| Other livestock | Agricultural animals (livestock) are not restricted on parcels zoned A-1. In residential zones R-1 to R-5, R-MH and R-MP no more than five animals of any one species (dogs excluded). Wild or exotic animals are not allowed anywhere.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 3.2, 3.3, 3.11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNothing in this bylaw shall restrict the keeping of Agricultural Animals on any Parcel zoned A-1 more than five Animals of any one species, excluding Dogs No Person shall keep a Wild or Exotic Animal within the Municipality. |
| Bylaw | Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidation including Amendment Bylaws No. 896, 2024 and No. 947, 2026). Zoning Bylaw No. 737, 2013 for accessory building rules.Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as the “District of Elkford Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021”. |
How it works
The Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 allows hens only (roosters are prohibited) on parcels in the R-1, R-2, R-MH, R-MP and P-1 zones, with conditions. The limit is five hens per parcel. The Zoning Bylaw No. 737, 2013 defines urban agriculture as excluding poultry and bees, so this bylaw governs.
Steps
- Check your parcel's zone. R-3, R-4 and R-5 are not on the hen list.
- Keep hens in a secure coop from sunset to 7:00 a.m., and in a coop or pen at all other times.
- Build the coop to meet the Zoning Bylaw accessory building rules. Keep any pen inside continuous electrified fencing 1.8 m high. Keep the coop or pen at least 3 m from any dwelling's windows or doors.
- Keep it clean and free of waste and vermin. Do not slaughter or bury hens on the property, and do not sell manure, meat, eggs or other poultry products.
Good to know
- Bees: allowed in the same zones, in a beehive only, no more than four hives. The hive must meet the accessory building rules and sit inside a continuous electrified fence 1.8 m high. Prevent swarming and aggressive behaviour. The owner must be registered with the BC apiculture registration system.
- Agricultural animals are not restricted on parcels zoned A-1.
- In residential zones R-1 to R-5, R-MH and R-MP, no more than five animals of any one species (dogs excluded). Wild or exotic animals are not allowed anywhere in the District.
- The bylaw does not name ducks, goats or horses. Ask the Bylaw Enforcement Officer.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sparwood · Canal Flats · Fernie · Cranbrook · Kimberley · Invermere
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 848, 2021 (consolidated, PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 737, 2013 (consolidated, PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 838, 2021, Schedule I (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
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. How answers are checked.