{"title":"Ladysmith backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules","question":"Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?","slug":"backyard-chickens","place":{"path":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Town of Ladysmith","url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca"},"short_answer":"In Ladysmith you can keep up to six hens (female chickens or ducks) on a property with a single-detached dwelling, in the RU-1, R-1, R-1-A, R-2, R-2-B or R-3 zone, outside the exclusion areas. You need the owner's written consent. Roosters are not allowed. Bees: up to two hives per parcel.","aliases":["backyard chickens ladysmith","hens ladysmith bylaw","beekeeping ladysmith","keep ducks ladysmith"],"cost":"The Town's Backyard Poultry page mentions no permit, registration or fee.","how_long":"Not applicable.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Backyard Poultry page","value":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/backyard-poultry"},{"type":"phone","label":"Town Hall","value":"250-245-6400","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Compliance","value":"250-245-6446"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Backyard Poultry, Town of Ladysmith","url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/backyard-poultry"},{"title":"Backyard Poultry Info Guide, Town of Ladysmith (PDF)","url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/backyard-poultry-info-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=dc22f1db_2"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, consolidated September 29, 2026 (PDF)","url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"dog-licence","title":"Ladysmith dog licences: fees and how to get one","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/dog-licence/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Ladysmith zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Ladysmith fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/fence-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/duncan","name":"Duncan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lantzville","name":"Lantzville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/backyard-chickens/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens/"},"facts":{"hens_allowed":{"label":"Hens allowed","value":"Yes: up to six hens (female chickens or ducks) on a property with a single-detached dwelling, in the RU-1, R-1, R-1-A, R-2, R-2-B or R-3 zone, outside the Backyard Poultry Exclusion Areas (Schedule E of Bylaw 2238; map on the Town page). Written owner consent is required.","short":"Yes, up to six hens, single-detached lots, listed zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, consolidated September 29, 2026 (PDF)","section":"s. 6.12(a)","quotes":["Where Backyard Poultry is a permitted Accessory Use on a Residential Parcel and","where the Principal Use is a Single Unit Dwelling,","outside of the Backyard Poultry exclusion areas"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/backyard-poultry","title":"Backyard Poultry, Town of Ladysmith","section":"Keeping Backyard Poultry","quotes":["you may keep up to six (6) hens (i.e., female chickens or ducks):","R-2-B – Oyster Cove Residential Zone"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"max_hens":{"label":"Most hens","value":"Six backyard poultry per parcel.","short":"Six hens","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, consolidated September 29, 2026 (PDF)","section":"s. 6.12(a)","quotes":["a maximum of six (6) Backyard"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"roosters":{"label":"Roosters","value":"No. Roosters, drakes and chicks or ducklings are not allowed; backyard poultry means adult hens only (female chickens and ducks).","short":"No","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/backyard-poultry-info-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=dc22f1db_2","title":"Backyard Poultry Info Guide, Town of Ladysmith (PDF)","section":"Key Rules and Regulations","quotes":["Roosters, drakes and chicks/ducklings are not"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"coop_rules":{"label":"Coop rules","value":"Coops and pens: not in the front yard, at least 1.0 m from any property line and 3.0 m from any dwelling, inside a continuous animal-proof fence. Coop: at least 0.37 m² floor and 0.6 m3 per hen, up to 10.0 m² or 30.0 m3, 3.0 m high at most. Pen: at least 0.93 m² and 1.0 m3 per hen, up to 10.0 m².","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, consolidated September 29, 2026 (PDF)","section":"s. 6.12(a)","quotes":["Backyard Poultry must be housed in a Coop and Pen.","A Coop and Pen must be located at Finished Grade."]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, consolidated September 29, 2026 (PDF)","section":"s. 5.9(j)","quotes":["A Coop and Pen used for Backyard Poultry are not considered Accessory Buildings or"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/backyard-poultry","title":"Backyard Poultry, Town of Ladysmith","section":"Key requirements","quotes":["Coops and pens are not allowed within the front yard of a property, and they must be located a minimum of 1.0 metre from any property line and a minimum of 3.0 metres from any dwelling unit.","Minimum floor area of 0.37 square metres per hen and a minimum volume of 0.6 cubic metres per hen."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"registration":{"label":"Permit or registration","value":"The Town's Backyard Poultry page mentions no permit, registration or fee. It requires written consent of the property owner.","short":"None mentioned; no fee","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/backyard-poultry","title":"Backyard Poultry, Town of Ladysmith","section":"Key requirements","quotes":["Must have written consent of the property owner to keep backyard poultry on that property."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bees":{"label":"Bees","value":"Allowed: a maximum of two hives per parcel, except in the Agricultural Land Reserve.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, consolidated September 29, 2026 (PDF)","section":"s. 6.11(a)","quotes":["A maximum of two (2) hives shall be permitted per Parcel, except in the Agricultural"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_livestock":{"label":"Other livestock","value":"Female ducks count as backyard poultry under the same six-hen rules. No residential-lot rule for goats, horses or other livestock found in readable text.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/backyard-poultry","title":"Backyard Poultry, Town of Ladysmith","section":"What does Backyard Poultry mean","quotes":["domesticated adult hens (i.e., female chickens and female ducks)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238 (including Schedule E, Backyard Poultry Exclusion Areas); Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, s. 6.12 (poultry) and s. 6.11 (bees)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, consolidated September 29, 2026 (PDF)","section":"s. 6.12(a)(iv)","quotes":["Animal Control Bylaw 2024, No. 2167"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, consolidated September 29, 2026 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW 2014, NO.1860"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/backyard-poultry","title":"Backyard Poultry, Town of Ladysmith","section":"Keeping Backyard Poultry","quotes":["the Town of Ladysmith passed the Town of Ladysmith Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026 No. 2238"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":8,"matched":8,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nLadysmith allows backyard poultry under section 6.12 of the [Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf) and the Town's [Backyard Poultry page](https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/backyard-poultry). You may keep up to six hens (female chickens or ducks). The property must have a single-detached dwelling and be in the RU-1, R-1, R-1-A, R-2, R-2-B or R-3 zone. It must also be outside the Backyard Poultry Exclusion Areas, which are shown on a map on the Town page and set in Schedule E of the [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238](<https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2238-animal-responsibility-bylaw-2026_redacted.pdf>). The owner's written consent is required.\n\n## Coop and pen rules\n\n- Not in the front yard.\n- At least 1.0 m from any property line and 3.0 m from any dwelling.\n- Inside a continuous animal-proof fence.\n- Coop: at least 0.37 m² of floor and 0.6 m3 per hen, up to 10.0 m² or 30.0 m3, and 3.0 m high at most.\n- Pen: at least 0.93 m² and 1.0 m3 per hen, up to 10.0 m².\n\n## Bees and other animals\n\n- Bees: a maximum of two hives per parcel, except in the Agricultural Land Reserve.\n- Roosters, drakes, chicks and ducklings are not allowed; the Town's guide says backyard poultry means adult hens only.\n- No residential-lot rule for goats, horses or other livestock was found in readable text. Ask the Town.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Coops must also meet the animal bylaw's requirements, but that bylaw's text isn't readable online. The zoning text still cites the older animal bylaw for the exclusion areas, so check the Town's map before you build.\n- Call Town Hall at 250-245-6400 or Development Services at 250-245-6415 to confirm.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/backyard-poultry","title":"Backyard Poultry, Town of Ladysmith","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/backyard-poultry-info-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=dc22f1db_2","title":"Backyard Poultry Info Guide, Town of Ladysmith (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1860-schedule-a_zoning-bylaw-text-consolidation-sept-29-2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, consolidated September 29, 2026 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2238-animal-responsibility-bylaw-2026_redacted.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2026, No. 2238 (PDF, scanned, no readable text)","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/backyard-chickens/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/backyard-chickens.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/backyard-chickens.json"}}