Kitimat backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep backyard chickens, bees, or other livestock in Kitimat?
Short answer
In Kitimat you can keep 2 to 6 registered hens in the R1-A, R1-B, R1-C, R2-A and R2-B residential zones. Registration with the District is $0. Roosters are not allowed in residential zones. Other farm animals are not allowed in residential zones.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Yes. Hens (2 to 6) are allowed in the single- and two-family residential zones R1-A, R1-B, R1-C, R2-A and R2-B if the property is registered and the conditions are met. Bylaws 2087 and 2088 (2026) were adopted in June 2026. Chickens in Greenbelt (G) zones follow Subdivision 13.Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.4.1.28; Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026, Subdivision 12, s. 1; Hen and Chicken Keeping registration form, Registration form; Council agenda package, July 2026, Minutes June 15 (item 9.1) and June 22, 2026 (item 7) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingreptile, poultry or fur-producing animal other than a pet rabbit, in A minimum of 2 Hens or Chicks to a maximum of 6 Hens or Chicks may be kept The District requires you to register your property if you have hens or chickens third reading and adoption. THAT Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026 be adopted. |
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| Most hens | 2 to 6 hens or chicks per property in residential (R) zones, if registered and no neighbourhood health, environmental or nuisance problems result.Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026, Subdivision 12, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA minimum of 2 Hens or Chicks to a maximum of 6 Hens or Chicks may be kept provided that no neighbourhood health, environmental or nuisance problems |
| Roosters | No. Roosters are prohibited in residential zones. (Greenbelt zones: Subdivision 13 speaks of chickens generally.)Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026, Subdivision 12, s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingresult and the conditions of Hen Keeping are met. 2. Roosters are prohibited. 3. All Hen Keeping shall comply with all related regulations in Part 9 - Planning of |
| Coop rules | Hens must be in a fully fenced rear or side yard (fence at least 1.2 m high). Coop at least 3 m from the principal building or any dwelling, not abutting side or rear lot lines, at least 0.5 m² per hen, with a 15 cm perch and a nesting box per hen; coop and pen 1 m to 3 m high; pen at least 1 m² per hen. Coop enclosed by an electrified fence per WildSafeBC guidelines, at least 1 m from the coop. Hens kept in a secure coop from sunset to 7:00 a.m.Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026, Subdivision 12, s. 6-7, 10-20 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHens must be sited in a rear or side yard which is fully fenced. a minimum of 1.2 metres high Coops must be sited a minimum of 3 metres from the principal building Coops must be a minimum size of 0.5 square metres of floor area per Hen. Each Pen must be a minimum size of 1 square metres of floor area per Hen. Hens or Chicks must be kept in a secure Coop from sunset to 7:00 a.m. electrified fence that is designed and |
| Permit or registration | Yes. Property must be registered with the District. The fee is $0.Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026, Subdivision 11, s. 1-2; Hen and Chicken Keeping registration form, Registration form · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmust register their property with the The fee for registering Hens or Chickens with the District of Kitimat shall be $0. Kitimat, BC V8C 2H7 250-632-8900 Fee: $0.00 dok@kitimat.ca The District requires you to register your property if you have hens or chickens. The |
| Bees | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Other livestock | Horses, mules, asses, cows, sheep, swine, reptiles, poultry and fur-producing animals (other than a pet rabbit) are not allowed in any residential zone, unless otherwise permitted. The permitted exception is registered hens.Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 9.4.1.28; Council meeting agenda June 15, 2026 with Bylaw No. 2087, 2026, Bylaw No. 2087, 2026, s. 3 (9.4.1.28 as amended) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall keep any horse, mule, ass, cow, sheep, swine, reptile, poultry or fur-producing animal other than a pet rabbit, in poultry or fur-producing animal other than a pet rabbit, in any residential zone, otherwise permitted elsewhere in the Kitimat Municipal Code. |
| Bylaw | Hen Keeping Residential Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2087, 2026 (Code Part 9, Division 4) and Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026 (Part 5, Division 5, Subdivisions 11 to 13), both adopted June 2026; fines in Bylaw No. 2092, 2026.Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026, Title; Council agenda package, July 2026, Minutes June 15 and June 22, 2026; staff report on Bylaw 2092 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026 third reading and adoption. THAT Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026 be adopted. At the June 22, 2026, meeting Council adopted Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw |
How it works
Hen keeping is allowed in the single- and two-family residential zones R1-A, R1-B, R1-C, R2-A and R2-B if the property is registered with the District and the conditions are met. The rules are in the Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026, adopted in June 2026 along with Bylaw No. 2087, which amends the zoning. You may keep 2 to 6 hens or chicks per property if there are no neighbourhood health, environmental or nuisance problems. Roosters are prohibited in residential zones.
Steps
- Fill out the District's hen and chicken keeping registration form. Registration is $0. The form can be emailed to dok@kitimat.ca.
- Build the coop and pen to the bylaw's standards.
- Keep the hens in a secure coop from sunset to 7:00 a.m.
Good to know
- Hens must be in a fully fenced rear or side yard (fence at least 1.2 m high).
- Coop: at least 3 m from the principal building or any dwelling, not abutting side or rear lot lines, at least 0.5 m2 per hen, with a 15 cm perch and a nesting box per hen. Coop and pen are 1 m to 3 m high; the pen is at least 1 m2 per hen. An electrified fence is required around the coop, at least 1 m from it, per WildSafeBC guidelines.
- Horses, mules, asses, cows, sheep, swine, reptiles, poultry and fur-producing animals (other than a pet rabbit) are not allowed in residential zones, unless otherwise permitted. Registered hens are the exception.
- Chickens in Greenbelt (G) zones follow a separate part of the bylaw.
- We found no beekeeping rule in the Code. Ask Municipal Hall at 250-632-8900.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Terrace · Port Edward · Prince Rupert · Telkwa · Smithers · Houston
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Hen and Chicken Keeping Animal Control Bylaw No. 2088, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Hen and Chicken Keeping registration form, District of Kitimat (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Council agenda package, July 2026, District of Kitimat (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Council meeting agenda June 15, 2026 with Bylaw No. 2087, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.