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

# Enderby backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In the City of Enderby you may keep up to five hens (no roosters) and bees as an extra use of a single-family home in the R.1, R.1-A and R.2 zones. The hen flock must be licensed with the City; the application fee is $50. Other livestock depends on zoning and lot size.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Enderby, https://www.cityofenderby.com)  
**Cost:** Hen licence application $50. Bee licence $50. Failing to license a hen flock: $100 bylaw notice ($50 if paid within 14 days).  
**How long:** The City inspects the property before the licence is issued; no timeline is stated.  
**Where:**
- Email: Planner, kinglis@cityofenderby.com
- Phone: City Hall, 250-838-7230
- In person: Enderby City Hall, 619 Cliff Avenue, Enderby, BC

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** Yes. Up to five hens may be kept as an ancillary use to a single-family dwelling in the Residential Single Family (R.1, R.1-A) and Residential Two Family (R.2) zones. The flock must be licensed with the City.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated, PDF), s. 318.3](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1550-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1550-2014-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of no more than five (5) backyard hens is permitted as an ancillary use to a single-family dwelling within the Residential Single Family (R.1)" … "Two-Family (R.2) zones, and the keeping of roosters is expressly"
  - Source: [Backyard Hens and Bees](https://www.cityofenderby.com/backyardhensandbees/)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of up to five (5) backyard hens is permitted in the Residential Single Family (R.1/R.1-A) and Residential Two Family (R.2) zones provided there is a single-family dwelling on the lot."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Most hens:** Five. Only hens at least four months old count as backyard hens.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated, PDF), s. 318.3; definitions](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1550-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1550-2014-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of no more than five (5) backyard hens is permitted as" … "BACKYARD HENS means domesticated female chickens that are at least four months old"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Roosters:** Not allowed. Keeping roosters is expressly prohibited.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated, PDF), s. 318.3](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1550-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1550-2014-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "and the keeping of roosters is expressly prohibited."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coop rules:** Coop with an attached outdoor enclosure, entirely behind the single-family dwelling, in a back area fully enclosed by solid fencing at least 1.8 m high. Setback 3 m from the rear and side lot lines; coop and enclosure at most 2 m high and 10 m² combined. At least 0.5 m² per hen inside and 1 m² per hen outside.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated, PDF), s. 318.4, 318.5](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1550-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1550-2014-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of backyard hens must be contained entirely to the rear" … "solid fencing that is" … "least 1.8 m (5.9 feet) in height" … "a minimum of 3 m (9.84 feet) from the rear" … "Maximum height of a coop and outdoor enclosure is 2" … "Maximum combined size of coop and outdoor"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1735, 2022, s. 4.2](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1735-Animal-Control-Bylaw-No.-1735-2022.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Coops must provide a minimum of 0.5 m2 (5.38 square feet) per hen inside" … "the coop, and a minimum 1 m2 (10.76 square feet) of outdoor enclosure per"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit or registration:** Yes. The flock must be licensed with the City; the application fee is $50. A City representative or bylaw officer inspects the property first, and a renter needs the property owner's written consent. Provincial Premises Identification registration is also required.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1735, 2022, s. 4.12](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1735-Animal-Control-Bylaw-No.-1735-2022.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of backyard hens is subject to the owner licensing the backyard hen flock with" … "must provide their written consent in cases" … "must inspect the property"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1479, 2010 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule 12](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1479-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-No.-1479-2010-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Backyard Hen License Application $50"
  - Source: [Backyard Hens and Bees](https://www.cityofenderby.com/backyardhensandbees/)
  - Official wording: "As of July 1, 2022, the Province has mandated Premises Identification registration for the owners of backyard hens."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bees:** Yes, in the R.1, R.1-A and R.2 zones with a single-family dwelling. Maximum 2 hives and 2 nucleus colonies on lots under 1,000 m², 4 and 4 on lots of 1,000 m² or more. Hives go behind the house inside 1.8 m solid fencing, facing away from neighbours; the beekeeper must live on the property; $50 licence; honey for personal use only.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated, PDF), ss. 319.3 to 319.5](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1550-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1550-2014-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of backyard bees is permitted as an ancillary use to a" … "single-family dwelling within the Residential Single Family (R.1)," … "colonies are permitted on lots less than 1,000 m² (0.25 acre) and a" … "maximum of four (4) beehives / colonies and four (4) nucleus" … "Beehive must be oriented to face away from adjacent"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1735, 2022, ss. 5.4, 5.5, 5.7](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1735-Animal-Control-Bylaw-No.-1735-2022.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Beekeeper must be a resident of the property where the backyard bees are kept." … "Honey produced by backyard bees is for personal use only, with commercial sales being" … "expressly prohibited."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1479, 2010 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule 12](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1479-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-No.-1479-2010-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Backyard Bee License Application $50"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other livestock:** Restricted agricultural use is permitted in the R.1, R.1-A and R.2 zones, but not on lots smaller than 1 ha (2.471 acres): pigeons, rabbits, poultry, doves and bees for personal use, and horses, sheep, goats or cattle at 3 animal units or less per hectare. The Country Residential (C.R.) zone permits limited agricultural use (up to 6 animal units per hectare); intensive agricultural use there needs a lot of 0.8094 ha or more in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated, PDF), ss. 601.1(b), 601.11(a); definitions](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1550-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1550-2014-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Restricted agricultural use subject to the provisions of Sections" … "A restricted agricultural use shall not be permitted on lots smaller than 1 ha (2.471 acres)." … "specifically includes nurseries, greenhouses, and the keeping of pigeons, rabbits, poultry," … "doves, bees, and other animals or birds of like kind for the personal use of the" … "kind is also permitted in concentrations of three (3) animal units or less per" … "other animals or birds of like kind in concentrations of six (6) animal units or less" … "Limited agricultural use (1793)" … "than 0.8094 ha (2.000 acres) and shall only be permitted on lands"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (ss. 318, 319) and Animal Control Bylaw No. 1735, 2022; fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1479, 2010 (Schedule 12)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated, PDF), ss. 318, 319](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1550-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1550-2014-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No 1550, 2014" … "318 Backyard Hens (1710)"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1735, 2022, s. 1](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1735-Animal-Control-Bylaw-No.-1735-2022.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw shall be cited as “City of Enderby Animal Control Bylaw No. 1735, 2022”."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1479, 2010 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule 12](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1479-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-No.-1479-2010-Consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BACKYARD HEN AND BACKYARD BEE LICENSING FEES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

In the City of Enderby, up to five backyard hens may be kept as an extra use of a single-family dwelling in the Residential Single Family (R.1, R.1-A) and Residential Two Family (R.2) zones. The rules are in the [Zoning Bylaw No. 1550](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1550-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1550-2014-Consolidated.pdf) (sections 318 and 319) and the [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1735](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1735-Animal-Control-Bylaw-No.-1735-2022.pdf).

## Hens

- Up to 5 hens, and only hens at least four months old count. Roosters are not allowed. Eggs are for personal use only.
- Licence: the flock must be licensed with the City ($50 application). A City representative or bylaw officer inspects the property first. A renter needs the owner's written consent. Provincial Premises Identification registration is also required.
- Coop with an attached outdoor enclosure: entirely behind the house, in a back area fully enclosed by solid fencing at least 1.8 m high, 3 m from the rear and side lot lines, no more than 2 m high and 10 m² combined.
- Space: at least 0.5 m² per hen inside and 1 m² per hen outside. The Animal Control Bylaw also requires one perch and one nest per hen, an outdoor enclosure covered from above, hens kept in the coop or enclosure at all times, and sealed feed and manure storage. It bans egg sales, slaughter and burial.

## Bees

- Allowed in the R.1, R.1-A and R.2 zones with a single-family dwelling. Maximum 2 hives and 2 nucleus colonies on lots under 1,000 m²; 4 and 4 on lots of 1,000 m² or more.
- Hives go behind the house inside solid fencing 1.8 m high, facing away from neighbours. The beekeeper must live on the property. A $50 licence is required; honey is for personal use only.

## Other livestock

- R.1, R.1-A and R.2 zones: restricted agricultural use is permitted, but not on lots smaller than 1 ha. It covers pigeons, rabbits, poultry, doves and bees for personal use, and horses, sheep, goats or cattle at 3 animal units or less per hectare. R.1-B has none.
- Country Residential (C.R.) zone: limited agricultural use (up to 6 animal units per hectare). Intensive agricultural use needs a lot of 0.8094 ha or more in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
- Ask the planner before buying animals; see City Hall at 250-838-7230.

## What you'll need

- Backyard Hens or Backyard Bees License Application and Checklist
- Written consent of the property owner, if you rent
- Provincial Premises Identification registration

## Official forms and pages

- [Backyard Hens and Bees (City of Enderby)](https://www.cityofenderby.com/backyardhensandbees/)
- [Backyard Hens License Application and Checklist (PDF)](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Backyard-Hens-License-Application-and-Checklist-July-13-2022-1.pdf)
- [Backyard Bees License Application and Checklist (PDF)](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Backyard-Bees-License-Application-and-Checklist-July-13-2022-1.pdf)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/how-many-pets.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Sicamous](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [Backyard Hens and Bees, City of Enderby](https://www.cityofenderby.com/backyardhensandbees/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 1735, 2022 (PDF), City of Enderby](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1735-Animal-Control-Bylaw-No.-1735-2022.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1550, 2014 (consolidated, PDF), City of Enderby](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1550-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1550-2014-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1479, 2010 (consolidated, PDF), City of Enderby](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1479-Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-No.-1479-2010-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1581 (consolidated, PDF), City of Enderby](https://www.cityofenderby.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1581-Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-Consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Contact Us, City of Enderby](https://www.cityofenderby.com/contact-us-2/) (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 Enderby. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/backyard-chickens/_