GovHandbook

Esquimalt backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Esquimalt?

Esquimalt, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Esquimalt, you may keep up to 7 urban hens on single-family or two-family residential lots. Roosters and other poultry are banned. Up to 3 beehives are allowed on residential parcels. Farm animals are not allowed.

Key facts

Hens allowedYes: urban hens (female chickens or ducks at least 4 months old) on parcels zoned Single Family Residential or Two Family Residential. No other poultry may be kept anywhere in the Township.Animal Management Bylaw 2015, No. 2841 (consolidated February 2021), s. 31, 32, s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
no person shall keep any poultry on any parcel of land
no more than 7 Urban Hens may be kept on any parcel zoned for
Single Family Residential or Two Family Residential Use
means a domesticated female chicken or duck that is at least 4 months old.
Most hens7 urban hens per eligible parcel.Animal Management Bylaw 2015, No. 2841 (consolidated February 2021), s. 32 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
no more than 7 Urban Hens may be kept on any parcel zoned for
RoostersNo. Roosters, cocks and cockerels are not allowed.Animal Management Bylaw 2015, No. 2841 (consolidated February 2021), s. 30(1), s. 32(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
No person shall keep a farm animal, rooster, or peafowl.
no roosters, cocks, or cockerels are kept on the property;
Coop rulesOnly one hen structure per property, at least 1.5 m from every property line, with at least 0.4 m² enclosed area per hen. It may not be in the front yard setback unless screened by vegetation so it is not visible from the street or neighbours. Keep it clean and free of odours and vermin, on a solid surface in prolonged wet weather. Hens may not run at large.Animal Management Bylaw 2015, No. 2841 (consolidated February 2021), s. 32(2)-(7), (11); Zoning Bylaw 1992, No. 2050 (consolidated September 3, 2026), Zoning Bylaw s. 30.4(3)-(4) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
a minimum enclosed area of 0.4 sq m is provided per Urban Hen;
located at least 1.5 m from any property line;
only one structure containing Urban Hens is permitted on any property;
unless such structure
is screened by vegetation of a sufficient height and width
be located at least 1.5 metres from any Lot Line.
Only one (1) Structure containing Urban Hen(s) is permitted on a
Permit or registrationNot confirmed. No permit, licence or registration for urban hens is stated in the bylaws.
BeesYes, on any parcel in a residential zone with the landowner's consent. Up to 3 hives per parcel, set back at least 1.5 m from property lines, with a vertical screen at least 1.8 m high within 0.6 m of the hive entrance, flight paths not crossing publicly frequented areas, and fresh water provided.Animal Management Bylaw 2015, No. 2841 (consolidated February 2021), s. 39-41 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Bees may be kept on any parcel of land in any residential zone as established by the
Zoning Bylaw, subject to the consent of the owner of the land.
A maximum of 3 beehives may be kept on any parcel of land.
be set back a minimum of 1.5 m from any property line,
measuring at least 1.8
Other livestockFarm animals (cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, mules, donkeys, asses, oxen), roosters and peafowl may not be kept (a permit from the Director of Parks & Recreation Services allows bringing one in for an event). Other poultry are banned. Up to 10 ornamental birds (housed and enclosed) and up to 10 rabbits or rodents are allowed per parcel.Animal Management Bylaw 2015, No. 2841 (consolidated February 2021), s. 2, 30, 31, 33, 35 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
No person shall keep a farm animal, rooster, or peafowl.
cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, mules, donkeys,
No person shall keep more than 10 ornamental birds on any parcel of land
No person shall own, possess or harbour more than 10 rabbits or rodents over the age of
BylawAnimal Management Bylaw, 2015, No. 2841 (ss. 30-41) and Zoning Bylaw, 1992, No. 2050 (s. 30.4)Animal Management Bylaw 2015, No. 2841 (consolidated February 2021), s. 1; Zoning Bylaw 1992, No. 2050 (consolidated September 3, 2026), s. 30.4(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
This Bylaw may be cited as the "Animal Management Bylaw, 2015, No. 2841".
Management Bylaw, 2015, No. 2841, as amended from time to time.

How it works

The Animal Management Bylaw No. 2841 allows urban hens (female chickens or ducks at least 4 months old) on parcels zoned Single Family Residential or Two Family Residential, up to 7 per parcel. No other poultry may be kept anywhere in the Township, and roosters, cocks and cockerels are not allowed.

Coop rules

  • Only one hen structure per property.
  • At least 1.5 m from every property line, with at least 0.4 m² of enclosed area per hen.
  • It may not be in the front yard setback unless screened by vegetation so it is not visible from the street or neighbours. The Zoning Bylaw (s. 30.4) also allows a front-yard hen structure if fully screened by vegetation.
  • Keep it clean and free of odours and vermin, and on a solid surface in prolonged wet weather. Hens may not run at large.
  • No slaughtering on the property, and biosecurity per CFIA guidance. Hens are for personal use; eggs may be sold if handled per the BC Centre for Disease Control guideline.

Bees and other animals

  • Bees: allowed on any parcel in a residential zone with the landowner's consent. Up to 3 hives per parcel, set back at least 1.5 m from property lines, with a vertical screen at least 1.8 m high within 0.6 m of the hive entrance, flight paths not crossing publicly frequented areas, and fresh water provided.
  • Farm animals (cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, mules, donkeys, asses, oxen), roosters and peafowl may not be kept. A permit from the Director of Parks & Recreation Services allows bringing one in for an event.
  • Up to 10 ornamental birds (housed and enclosed) and up to 10 rabbits or rodents are allowed per parcel.

Good to know

  • Neither bylaw requires a permit or registration for urban hens. Ask Bylaw Enforcement (250-414-7161) to confirm.
  • Bylaw notices for poultry or farm animals contrary to the bylaw are $100.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

View Royal · Victoria · Colwood · Saanich · Oak Bay · Langford

Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Animal Management Bylaw 2015, No. 2841 (consolidated February 2021) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Zoning Bylaw 1992, No. 2050 (consolidated September 3, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2014, No. 2839 (consolidated September 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Bylaw Enforcement Contacts, Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)

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.