Hope backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Hope?
Short answer
In Hope, poultry are allowed only as part of a hobby farm, on parcels of at least 0.8 hectares (2 acres) in the L-1, RU-1 and CR-1 zones and some Comprehensive Development zones. The limit is six birds or fewer per 0.1 hectare (0.25 acre). Ordinary residential zones list no hens use.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Poultry are covered only as part of a hobby farm: a listed use in the L-1, RU-1 and CR-1 zones and in some Comprehensive Development zones (CD-2, CD-4, CD-9), on parcels of at least 0.8 hectares (2 acres). The bylaw lists no hens use in ordinary residential zones.Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 9.3.2 and 9.3.3 (RU-1 Zone); Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, Definitions; Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 5.1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA hobby farm shall be limited to parcels with a minimum lot area of 0.8 hectares (2 acres) or larger; The following principal uses shall be permitted in Areas A and B of Attachment 1 which forms A hobby farm shall be limited to parcels with a minimum lot area of 0.8 hectares (2 acres) or the keeping of pigeons, rabbits, poultry, doves, bees, and other animals or birds of like kind. Any use not expressly permitted in this Bylaw is prohibited in all zones |
|---|---|
| Most hens | Poultry: six birds or fewer per 0.1 hectare (0.25 acre) on a hobby farm.Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 9.3.3 (RU-1 Zone) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOn a hobby farm the keeping of poultry is permitted in concentrations of six (6) birds or less |
| Roosters | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Coop rules | Buildings for housing animals on a hobby farm must meet the accessory building setback rules of that zone. No coop size or placement rule is given for poultry.Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 9.3.3 (RU-1 Zone) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBuildings or structures for housing animals associated with a hobby farm shall be subject to the accessory building or structure setback conditions as stated in this zone. |
| Permit or registration | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Bees | Bees count as a hobby farm use (for the owner's personal or home-based-business use) in the rural zones, on parcels of at least 0.8 hectares (2 acres). No hive limit is stated.Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, Definitions (hobby farm) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingfor the personal or home based business use of the owner only the keeping of pigeons, rabbits, poultry, doves, bees, and other animals or birds of like kind. |
| Other livestock | On a hobby farm (parcel of at least 0.8 hectares / 2 acres): horses, sheep, goats, cattle or similar animals, three animals or fewer per 2 acres.Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 9.3.3 (RU-1 Zone) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOn a hobby farm the keeping of horses, sheep, goats, cattle or other animals of like kind is permitted in concentrations of three (3) animals or less per 2 acres; |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012 (consolidated to March 20, 2025); also Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1240, 2008 for animal noiseZoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, Title page; Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1240, 2008, consolidated to December 2023, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingZONING BYLAW NO. 1324, 2012 Good Neighbour Bylaw Number 1240, 2008 |
How it works
In Hope, the Zoning Bylaw No. 1324 covers poultry only as part of a hobby farm. A hobby farm is a listed use in the L-1, RU-1 and CR-1 zones and in some Comprehensive Development zones (CD-2, CD-4, CD-9), on parcels of at least 0.8 hectares (2 acres). A use not listed for a zone is prohibited there, and the bylaw lists no hens use in ordinary residential zones.
Steps
- Find your property's zone and parcel size. Ask Planning at planning@hope.ca if you are unsure.
- If your parcel qualifies, keep to the hobby farm limits below.
- Keep any coop or animal building within the setback rules for that zone.
Good to know
- Poultry: six birds or fewer per 0.1 hectare (0.25 acre). The bylaw says "poultry" and does not single out hens.
- Roosters: the Zoning Bylaw does not mention them. The Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1240 bans keeping any animal or bird whose cries unduly disturb the neighbourhood.
- Coops: buildings for housing animals must meet the accessory building setbacks of the zone. No coop size or placement rule is given for poultry.
- Bees: count as a hobby farm use (for the owner's personal or home-based-business use) in the rural zones, on parcels of at least 0.8 hectares (2 acres). No hive limit is stated.
- Other livestock: horses, sheep, goats, cattle or similar animals, three animals or fewer per 2 acres.
- No permit or registration for poultry was found.
- Zoning offences: a bylaw notice is $500 ($400 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $1,000.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Kent · Chilliwack · Princeton · Abbotsford · Mission · Maple Ridge
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 1240, 2008, consolidated to December 2023, District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1627, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1628, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.