Gold River backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Gold River?
Short answer
In Gold River, poultry counts as livestock. Livestock is allowed in residential zones only on lots of at least 0.81 hectares (2.0 acres), with no more than twelve head of poultry per 0.40 hectare (1 acre). The bylaws do not mention roosters or bees.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Poultry counts as livestock. Livestock is allowed in residential zones only if the lot is at least 0.81 ha (2.0 acres) and the keeping follows the Animal Control Bylaw. The Rural Residential (R-R) zone lists the keeping of livestock as a permitted use.Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, s. 4.5.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, s. 2.0 "Livestock"; Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, s. 7.1.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe keeping of livestock in accordance with the Village Animal Control Bylaw shall be permitted in residential zones provided that: the lot is a minimum of 0.81 ha (2.0 acres) in area. sold and includes any horse, cow, goat, sheep, pig, poultry or rabbit. "Lot" means the smallest unit in which land is designated as agricultural uses and the keeping of livestock subject to the requirements of |
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| Most hens | Not more than twelve head of poultry for each 0.40 ha (1 acre) of lot area, and only on residential lots of at least 0.81 ha (2.0 acres).Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, s. 4.5.1(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingnot more than twelve (12) head of poultry for each 0.40 ha (1 acre) of lot area. the lot is a minimum of 0.81 ha (2.0 acres) in area. head of poultry for each 0.40 ha (1 acre) of lot area. |
| Roosters | Not confirmed. The bylaws read do not mention roosters. |
| Coop rules | Structures for livestock must be at least 6.1 m (20 feet) from side and rear lot lines and at least 7.6 m (25 feet) from the principal building. Enclosures for livestock may not be built or used in the front yard.Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, s. 4.5.1(3); Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, s. 4.5.1(4) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingstructures for the accommodation of livestock shall be located a minimum distance of 6.1 m (20 feet) from the side and rear lot lines, nor less than 7.6 m (25 feet) from the principal building on the lot. enclosures for the keeping of livestock shall not be constructed or utilized |
| Permit or registration | Not confirmed. No permit or registration for hens is stated in the bylaws read. |
| Bees | Not confirmed. Beekeeping is not mentioned in the bylaws searched. |
| Other livestock | Livestock is limited to a total of not more than two of the following: horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and rabbits (plus poultry as above), on lots of at least 0.81 ha (2.0 acres) in residential zones.Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, s. 4.5.1(2); Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, s. 4.5.1(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinglivestock is limited to a total of not more than two (2) of the following: horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, rabbits the lot is a minimum of 0.81 ha (2.0 acres) in area. |
| Bylaw | Village of Gold River Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025 (s. 4.5), with the Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, Title; Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingVILLAGE OF GOLD RIVER ZONING BYLAW NO. 761, 2025 Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022 |
How it works
Under section 4.5 of the Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025, poultry counts as livestock. Livestock is allowed in residential zones only if the lot is at least 0.81 hectares (2.0 acres) and the keeping follows the Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022. The Rural Residential (R-R) zone lists keeping livestock as a permitted use; the permitted-use list for the R-L zone does not mention it.
Good to know
- Poultry: no more than twelve head per 0.40 hectare (1 acre) of lot area.
- Other livestock: a total of no more than two horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or rabbits, in addition to poultry.
- Livestock structures must be at least 6.1 metres (20 feet) from side and rear lot lines and at least 7.6 metres (25 feet) from the principal building. Livestock enclosures may not be built or used in the front yard.
- Keeping must also meet the local Medical Health Officer's requirements.
- Roosters are not mentioned. The animal bylaw bans a habitually noisy dog and keeping animals to the extent of a nuisance.
- Beekeeping is not mentioned in the bylaws searched, and no permit or registration for hens is stated. Call Village Hall at (250) 283-2202 to check.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Tahsis · Campbell River · Tofino · Cumberland · Courtenay · Comox
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 761, 2025 (PDF), Village of Gold River (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control and Pound Bylaw No. 736, 2022 (PDF), Village of Gold River (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 3 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.