GovHandbook

Kent backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

Kent, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Kent, hens are allowed as a "light agricultural" use in the Rural Residential 1, 2 and 3 zones and in the Agricultural zone, but not in other residential zones. Roosters are excluded. The Zoning Bylaw allows up to 24 poultry per 0.2 ha (0.5 acre), on lots of at least that size.

Key facts

Hens allowedYes, as a 'light agricultural' use in the Rural Residential 1, 2 and 3 zones, and as farm use in the Agricultural zone. Roosters are excluded. Poultry in other zones must be permitted by zoning.District of Kent Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 9.2.1.1; District of Kent Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (consolidated October 6, 2025), Definitions; FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 (consolidated), s. 35 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The following auxiliary uses shall be permitted in a RR1 zone
light agricultural
The following principal uses shall be permitted in an A zone:
poultry (excluding roosters), geese,
the keeping of livestock, poultry (excluding roosters)
A person must ensure that any livestock or poultry or animals typically requiring the presence of an aviary or apiary are not kept on any real property, except as permitted pursuant to all applicable zoning
Most hens24 head of poultry (no roosters) for every 0.2 ha (0.5 acre) of lot, on lots of at least 0.2 ha (0.5 acre) in RR1 and RR2, and at least 0.4 ha (1 acre) in RR3.District of Kent Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 9.2.1.2.5(c) (RR1); District of Kent Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 9.2.3.2.4(c) (RR3) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Poultry – twenty-four (24) head of poultry for every 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres)
with the minimum lot size of 0.4 hectares (1 acres).
RoostersNot as a light agricultural use: the zoning definition covers poultry 'excluding roosters'. Roosters are not otherwise addressed in the Zoning Bylaw.District of Kent Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (consolidated October 6, 2025), Definitions: light agricultural use · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
poultry (excluding roosters)
poultry (excluding roosters), geese,
Coop rulesNot confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
Permit or registrationNot confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
BeesKeeping animals that need an apiary is banned except where zoning permits it.FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 (consolidated), s. 35 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
animals typically requiring the presence of an aviary or apiary are not kept on any real property, except as permitted pursuant to all applicable zoning
Other livestockLight agricultural zones (RR1, RR2, RR3, P3): large livestock (159 kg or more) 1 per 0.2 ha with lot of at least 0.4 ha; smaller livestock except swine 3 per 0.2 ha, lot at least 0.4 ha; geese, ducks, rabbits, pigeons, doves 24 per 0.4 ha, lot at least 0.4 ha.District of Kent Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 9.2.1.2.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Livestock with a mature weight of 159 kg (350 lbs) or greater – one (1)
Livestock with the exception of swine, with a mature weight that is less than 159 kg (350 lbs) – three (3) livestock for every 0.2 hectares (0.5 acres)
twenty-four (24) geese or ducks or rabbits or pigeons or doves
BylawDistrict of Kent Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001; FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013District of Kent Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (consolidated October 6, 2025), Title; FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001
Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013

How it works

Keeping hens is a zoning matter in Kent. The Zoning Bylaw 1219 allows "light agricultural" use, which covers poultry excluding roosters, in the Rural Residential 1, 2 and 3 zones (and P3), and farm use in the Agricultural zone. Other residential zones did not list it. Poultry elsewhere must be permitted by zoning.

Limits

  • Poultry: 24 head (no roosters) for every 0.2 ha (0.5 acre) of lot. The lot must be at least 0.2 ha (0.5 acre) in RR1 and RR2, and at least 0.4 ha (1 acre) in RR3.
  • Geese, ducks, rabbits, pigeons and doves: 24 per 0.4 ha, on a lot of at least 0.4 ha.
  • Large livestock (159 kg or more): 1 per 0.2 ha, on a lot of at least 0.4 ha. Smaller livestock except swine: 3 per 0.2 ha, on a lot of at least 0.4 ha.

Good to know

  • Roosters are not allowed as a light agricultural use. The bylaw does not otherwise address them.
  • No hen permit, licence or registration was found, and no coop size or placement rule beyond the general accessory-building rules.
  • Bees: the FVRD's Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206 bans keeping animals that need an apiary except where zoning permits it. The Zoning Bylaw has no beekeeping rules.
  • Ask the District of Kent planning department (604-796-2235, planning@kentbc.ca) which zone your lot is in.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Chilliwack · Hope · Abbotsford · Mission · Maple Ridge · Pitt Meadows

Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. District of Kent Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (consolidated October 6, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  2. FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Bylaw Enforcement, District of Kent (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.