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Kelowna backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

Kelowna, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-09

Short answer

Kelowna limits poultry by land use and lot size. Where zoning permits it, A1, A2, RR1 and RR2 lots and related subzones over half an acre but under one acre may keep up to ten poultry, rabbits or a combination. Check your zone before building a coop.

Key facts

Hens allowedWhere zoning permits, A1, A2, RR1 and RR2 lots and related subzones over half an acre but under one acre can keep up to ten poultry, rabbits or a combination.Animal and Poultry Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw No. 5421-82, PDF p. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
(a) Except as outlined in this section, the keeping of animals and poultry other than household pets is prohibited in all Zones in the City. The keeping of animals and poultry, when permitted in the Zoning Bylaw, shall comply with the following restrictions: (i) In In the A1, A2, RR1, and RR2 zones, and all related subzones as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is less than ½ acre (.20 ha.) in area – two (2) rabbits are permitted. (ii) In the A1, A2, RR1, and RR2 zones, and all related subzones as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is more than ½ acre (.20 ha.) but less than 1 acre (.40 ha.) in area – ten (10) rabbits or ten (10) poultry or a combination thereof are permitted.
Most hensWhere zoning permits in A1, A2, RR1, RR2 and their subzones, lots over 0.20 ha and under 0.40 ha may keep up to ten poultry, ten rabbits or ten combined. Above 0.40 ha the animal bylaw sets no numerical cap beyond zoning. Check exact boundary sizes with the City.Animal and Poultry Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw No. 5421-82, Section 2(a)(i), (ii) and (v) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
BL7214, BL8276, BL8767, BL10711 & BL12354 amended Section 2(a): (a) Except as outlined in this section, the keeping of animals and poultry other than household pets is prohibited in all Zones in the City. The keeping of animals and poultry, when permitted in the Zoning Bylaw, shall comply with the following restrictions: (i) In In the A1, A2, RR1, and RR2 zones, and all related subzones as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is less than ½ acre (.20 ha.) in area – two (2) rabbits are permitted. (ii) In the A1, A2, RR1, and RR2 zones, and all related subzones as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is more than ½ acre (.20 ha.) but less than 1 acre (.40 ha.) in area – ten (10) rabbits or ten (10) poultry or a combination thereof are permitted.
BL12354 replaced Section 2(a)(v) (v) In the A1, A2, RR1, and RR2, and all related subzones where the lot is more than 1 acre (.40 ha.) in area – the number of animals and poultry is unlimited except as outlined in the Zoning Bylaw.
RoostersNot confirmed. Checked Animal and Poultry Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw No. 5421-82; not found there.
Coop rulesKeep poultry fenced or corralled. Housing must be at least 15.24 m from a home on the lot and each lot line, and 30.48 m from wells and streams.Animal and Poultry Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw No. 5421-82, PDF p. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
(b) Accessory buildings or structures used to shelter or house animals or poultry with the exception of household pets, shall be a minimum of fifty (50) feet (15.24 metres) from any building used for residential purposes located on the same lot. (c) Accessory buildings or structures used to shelter or house animals or poultry with the exception of household pets, shall be a minimum of fifty (50) feet (15.24 metres) from any front, side, or rear lot line of the lot it occupies. (d) Animals and poultry shall be kept enclosed by secure fences or corrals. (e) Accessory buildings and structures used to shelter or house animals or fowl (with the exception of household pets) shall be situated not less than one hundred (100) feet (30.48 metres) from all wells and streams.
Permit or registrationNot confirmed. Checked Animal and Poultry Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw No. 5421-82, Zoning Bylaw No. 12375; not found there.
BeesIn B.C., register the beekeeper and each apiary together. Local permission, hive numbers and siting for this property still need confirmation.B.C. Bee Regulation, B.C. Reg. 3/2015, B.C. Bee Regulation section 3(1), registration · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
#### Registration 3   (1) Both of the following must be registered together on an application for registration, including an application to renew a registration, made under section 12 (1) of the Act: (a) the person who will engage in beekeeping; (b) each apiary in relation to which the person will engage in beekeeping.
Other livestockIn A1, A2, RR1, RR2 and their subzones, the under-0.20-ha category allows two rabbits. Larger lots have different limits. The general rule prohibits non-household animals and poultry unless the zoning and animal bylaw allow them.Animal and Poultry Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw No. 5421-82, Section 2(a), animals and poultry · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
BL7214, BL8276, BL8767, BL10711 & BL12354 amended Section 2(a): (a) Except as outlined in this section, the keeping of animals and poultry other than household pets is prohibited in all Zones in the City. The keeping of animals and poultry, when permitted in the Zoning Bylaw, shall comply with the following restrictions: (i) In In the A1, A2, RR1, and RR2 zones, and all related subzones as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is less than ½ acre (.20 ha.) in area – two (2) rabbits are permitted. (ii) In the A1, A2, RR1, and RR2 zones, and all related subzones as defined in the Zoning Bylaw, where the lot is more than ½ acre (.20 ha.) but less than 1 acre (.40 ha.) in area – ten (10) rabbits or ten (10) poultry or a combination thereof are permitted. BL12354 deleted Section 2(a)(iii)(iv) (iii) (deleted) (iv) (deleted) BL12354 replaced Section 2(a)(v) (v) In the A1, A2, RR1, and RR2, and all related subzones where the lot is more than 1 acre (.40 ha.) in area – the number of animals and poultry is unlimited except as outlined in the Zoning Bylaw.
BylawAnimal and Poultry Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw No. 5421-82Animal and Poultry Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw No. 5421-82, PDF p. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
BYLAW NO. 5421-82 REVISED: October 3, 2022 CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE TO INCLUDE BYLAW NOS. 5949-85, 7214, 8276, 8767, 10033 and 10711 ANIMAL AND POULTRY REGULATION AND ANIMAL POUND BYLAW

How it works

Start with the property, then plan the flock and the enclosure. The number of birds is only one part of the decision. How the bylaw describes the lot, the type of bird and the location of the coop can all affect a proposal. Keep poultry fenced or corralled. Housing must be at least 15.24 m from a home on the lot and each lot line, and 30.48 m from wells and streams.

Steps

  1. Check the rules for your flock in Animal and Poultry Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw No. 5421-82 (PDF). Find the property's zone and draw the proposed coop and run in relation to the home, neighbouring lots and street.
  2. Identify the number, age and type of birds you plan to keep. Compare those details with the limits below before buying birds or materials.

Good to know

  • In B.C., register the beekeeper and each apiary together. Local permission, hive numbers and siting for this property still need confirmation.
  • In A1, A2, RR1, RR2 and their subzones, the under-0.20-ha category allows two rabbits. Larger lots have different limits. The general rule prohibits non-household animals and poultry unless the zoning and animal bylaw allow them.
  • Where zoning permits in A1, A2, RR1, RR2 and their subzones, lots over 0.20 ha and under 0.40 ha may keep up to ten poultry, ten rabbits or ten combined. Above 0.40 ha the animal bylaw sets no numerical cap beyond zoning. Check exact boundary sizes with the City.
  • For bees or another species, ask about that species by name. A provision covering laying hens does not establish permission to keep every type of poultry or livestock.

The same question in other places

West Kelowna · Lake Country · Peachland · Coldstream · Vernon · Summerland

Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Animal and Poultry Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw No. 5421-82 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
  2. City Hall contact information (read 2026-11-09)
  3. Zoning Bylaw (read 2026-11-09)
  4. B.C. Bee Regulation, B.C. Reg. 3/2015 (read 2026-11-09)

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.