Invermere backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Invermere?
Short answer
In Invermere, "keeping of farm animals" is a permitted use in the RR-1 and RR-2 rural zones, with limits by animal unit. The R-1 single-family zone does not list it. The District asks you to call 250-342-9281 about backyard chickens.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | "Keeping of farm animals" is a permitted use in the RR-1 and RR-2 rural zones. The R-1 single-family zone lists only a single family dwelling plus uses allowed in all zones. Other residential zones were not checked. The District says to call the office about backyard chickens.Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002 (consolidated PDF), s. 5.13 (RR-1) and s. 5.14 (RR-2) permitted uses; Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002 (consolidated PDF), s. 5.3 (R-1) permitted uses; Domestic animal control, Domestic animal control page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording(c) Keeping of farm animals; (a) Single Family Dwelling (b) Uses permitted under Section 3.3 of this Bylaw If you have concerns regarding backyard chickens, please contact the District office at 250-342-9281. |
|---|---|
| Most hens | Only where "Keeping of farm animals" is permitted (RR-1, RR-2): poultry may not exceed one-half animal unit per hectare (one animal unit is 125 chickens, turkeys, geese or ducks), rounded down. No separate hen count.Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002 (consolidated PDF), s. 2 definitions, Farm Animals, Keeping of; Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002 (consolidated PDF), s. 2 definitions, Animal Unit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingof animal units of poultry shall not exceed one-half (1/2) the animal unit per hectare in total 125 chickens, turkeys, geese or ducks 125 chickens, turkeys, geese or ducks |
| Roosters | None set. The Zoning Bylaw does not state a rule on roosters or beekeeping. |
| Coop rules | A building used to shelter, or to store manure or compost of, poultry must be at least 30 m from a parcel line and 30 m from a domestic well, spring, lake or watercourse.Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002 (consolidated PDF), s. 3.9(3)(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingcompost of poultry, dairy cattle, or for mushroom farming shall be sited no closer than: (i) 30 m (98.4 ft) from a parcel line; |
| Permit or registration | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Bees | None set. The Zoning Bylaw does not state a rule on roosters or beekeeping. |
| Other livestock | In the zones that permit "Keeping of farm animals" (RR-1, RR-2), livestock other than swine or mink is limited to one animal unit per hectare (for example 1 horse or cow, 4 goats or sheep, 40 rabbits), rounded down.Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002 (consolidated PDF), s. 2 definitions, Farm Animals, Keeping of; Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002 (consolidated PDF), s. 2 definitions, Animal Unit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingof animal units of livestock shall not exceed one (1) animal unit per hectare in total 4 goats plus kids |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002 (consolidated PDF), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingZoning Bylaw No. 1145 |
How it works
In Invermere, the Zoning Bylaw No. 1145 lists "keeping of farm animals" as a permitted use in the RR-1 and RR-2 rural zones. The R-1 single-family zone lists only a single family dwelling plus uses allowed in all zones. Other residential zones were not checked. The posted copy is dated 2016, and later amendments are listed separately, so confirm your zone with the District.
Steps
- Find your property's zone with the District, or call 250-342-9281, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The District's animal page says to call that number about backyard chickens.
- If your lot is in RR-1 or RR-2, follow the limits below.
Good to know
- Poultry may not exceed one-half animal unit per hectare, rounded down. One animal unit is 125 chickens, turkeys, geese or ducks. There is no separate hen count.
- Other livestock (not swine or mink) is limited to one animal unit per hectare, for example 1 horse or cow, 4 goats or sheep, or 40 rabbits, rounded down.
- A building that shelters poultry, or stores its manure or compost, must be at least 30 m from a parcel line and 30 m from a domestic well, spring, lake or watercourse.
- The bylaw does not state a rule on roosters or beekeeping, and no permit or registration for hens was found. Ask the District.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Canal Flats · Kaslo · Elkford · Kimberley · Cranbrook · Golden
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002 (consolidated PDF), District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)
- Domestic animal control, District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact Information, District of Invermere (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.