Houston backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Houston?
Short answer
In Houston, hens are allowed as an accessory use to a home in the R1 zone and in zones where agriculture is permitted. The Zoning Bylaw sets no maximum number of hens and does not mention roosters. Livestock is allowed only where zoning permits.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Yes. Hens are allowed as an accessory use to a home in the R1 (Neighbourhood Residential) zone, and in zones where agriculture is a permitted use (A1 and A2 allow "Agriculture, Light", which includes poultry).Zoning Bylaw No. 1225, 2026, s. 6.5(1), (3) and R1 secondary uses; Zoning Bylaw No. 1225, 2026, Definitions: Agriculture, Light · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe keeping of hens is permitted in the R1 Zone, only as an accessory use to a dwelling Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply or limit the keeping of hens in zones where agriculture (d) Hen Keeping including but not limited to farming, horticulture, or the keeping of bees, poultry, dairy livestock, and horses |
|---|---|
| Most hens | None set. The Zoning Bylaw sets no maximum number of hens. |
| Roosters | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Coop rules | In the R1 zone: coop at most 6.0 m² and 2.0 m high, in the rear yard, coop and pen at least 2.5 m from the side and rear lot lines, securely fenced against predators and escape. These rules do not limit hens in zones where agriculture is permitted.Zoning Bylaw No. 1225, 2026, s. 6.5(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe maximum size of a coop is 6.0 square metres in gross floor area and 2.0 must be placed at least 2.5 metres from an exterior The coop and associated pen must be located in a rear yard; and securely fenced so as to prevent predators The keeping of hens is permitted in the R1 Zone, only as an accessory use to a dwelling used for residential purposes. Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply or limit the keeping of hens in zones where agriculture is a permitted use. |
| Permit or registration | None set. The Zoning Bylaw states no permit or registration for hens. |
| Bees | Beekeeping is not regulated by its own section. The Zoning Bylaw includes "the keeping of bees" in "Agriculture, Light", a permitted use in the A1 (Rural Agriculture) and A2 (Rural Residential) zones; the R1 secondary-use list does not name bees.Zoning Bylaw No. 1225, 2026, Definitions: Agriculture, Light; ss. 10.1, 10.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingincluding but not limited to farming, horticulture, or the keeping of bees, poultry, dairy livestock, and horses (c) Agriculture, Light (a) Agriculture, Light |
| Other livestock | Livestock may not be kept anywhere in the District except as the zoning rules allow. "Agriculture, Light" (poultry, dairy livestock, horses) is allowed in the A1 and A2 rural zones; intensive agriculture only in A1.Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Part 9, s. 57; Zoning Bylaw No. 1225, 2026, Definitions: Agriculture, Light; s. 10.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA person must not own or have custody of any livestock in any area of the municipality except as provided for by Development Bylaw No. 1040, 2013 as amended. including but not limited to farming, horticulture, or the keeping of bees, poultry, dairy livestock, and horses (b) Agriculture, Intensive |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 1225, 2026 (s. 6.5 Hen Keeping); Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018, Part 9 (livestock).Zoning Bylaw No. 1225, 2026, title and s. 6.5; Development Bylaw Repeal Bylaw No. 1238, 2026, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw will be cited as “Zoning Bylaw No. 1225, 2026.” 6.5 HEN KEEPING Development Bylaw No. 1040, 2013 and all amendments thereto are hereby repealed. |
How it works
Zoning Bylaw No. 1225, 2026 (section 6.5) allows hens as an accessory use to a home in the R1 (Neighbourhood Residential) zone. The A1 (Rural Agriculture) and A2 (Rural Residential) zones allow "Agriculture, Light", which includes poultry.
Good to know
- R1 coop rules: coop at most 6.0 m² and 2.0 m high, in the rear yard, and the coop and pen at least 2.5 m from the side and rear lot lines. It must be securely fenced against predators and escape. These coop rules do not limit hens in zones where agriculture is permitted.
- Number of hens, roosters, permits: the Zoning Bylaw sets no maximum number of hens, does not mention roosters, and states no permit or registration. Ask Community Development at 250-845-2238.
- Bees: the Zoning Bylaw includes "the keeping of bees" in Agriculture, Light, a permitted use in A1 and A2. R1 does not name bees. It sets no hive count or setback.
- Other livestock: it may not be kept anywhere in the District except as the zoning rules allow. Horses and dairy livestock count as Agriculture, Light in A1 and A2; intensive agriculture is allowed only in A1. Livestock in a restricted area is a $150 bylaw notice offence.
- The Animal Control Bylaw still cites Development Bylaw No. 1040, which Repeal Bylaw No. 1238 repealed. Zoning Bylaw 1225 replaced it.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Telkwa · Smithers · Granisle · Burns Lake · New Hazelton · Terrace
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 1225, 2026 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Development Bylaw Repeal Bylaw No. 1238, 2026 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 1112, 2018 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1230, 2026, Schedule A (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control, District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact Us, District of Houston (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; 2 are recorded as not set; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.