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Lake Country backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Lake Country?

Lake Country, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Lake Country you may keep up to 5 hens, no roosters, on lots zoned RR3 or RU1 that are over 500 m² with no more than 2 dwelling units. You need an annual District permit, and the District says registration is free. Bees are not covered in the bylaws read.

Key facts

Hens allowedYes, hens only and for personal use, on lots zoned RR3 or RU1 that are over 500 m² with no more than 2 dwelling units. Prohibited in all other zones.Sources differ: The bylaw says the lot must be 'greater than 500 m2'; the Animal Services page says 'minimum' 500 m2. The page FAQ also says hens are allowed on RR3 and RU1 lots that do not have 'agricultural' as an allowable use. Backyard Chickens means hens only.Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated to June 2, 2026), s. 10.16.1, 10.16.2(a); Animal Services, Backyard Chickens section · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The keeping of Backyard Chickens is prohibited in all Zones, except:
properties zoned RR3 and RU1 where
the lot is greater than 500 m2 and there are no more than 2 dwelling units on a lot.
only keep Backyard Chickens for personal use;
Minimum lot size: 500m2 (~1/8th acre), and
Most hens5 hens.Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated to June 2, 2026), s. 10.16.3(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Keep or permit to be kept more than 5 Backyard Chickens;
RoostersNo. Roosters are not allowed.Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated to June 2, 2026), s. 10.16.3(a); Animal Services, Backyard Chickens section · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Keep or permit to be kept any rooster on a property they own or occupy;
allows residents to keep up to five hens (no roosters)
Coop rulesOne enclosure only, in the rear yard, up to 2 m high. At least 2 m from the rear and interior side lot lines, and 3 m from a flanking side lot line and from a dwelling. Coop at least 0.4 m² per hen; hen yard at least 1 m² per hen. Hens locked in the coop from dusk to dawn.Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated to June 2, 2026), s. 10.16.2(c),(d), 10.16.3(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
is a maximum of 2.0 metres in height;
is constructed in a rear yard;
A. a minimum of 2.0 metres from a rear lot line,
D. a minimum of 3.0 metres from a dwelling unit on the property;
includes a coop with a floor area of at least 0.4 square metres per hen;
Have or permit more than one chicken enclosure;
within a secure and locked coop from dusk until
Permit or registrationYes. An annual permit from the District is required, and the District's page says registration is free. The page lists two steps: BC Premises ID registration, then District of Lake Country backyard chicken registration.Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated to June 2, 2026), s. 10.16.2(e); Animal Services, Backyard Chickens section · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
apply for and receive an annual permit from the District to keep backyard chickens.
Backyard chickens must be registered each year (free registration process) through the Province of
Step one: BC Premises ID Registration
BeesNot confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
Other livestockNot allowed on urban residential lots. The bylaw bans keeping, storing or boarding livestock or poultry there, except backyard chickens in permitted zones. The District's page says no other fowl or farm animals are allowed.Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated to June 2, 2026), s. 5.3.7; Animal Services, Backyard Chickens FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
keep, store, or board livestock or poultry on a lot in an urban residential
zone except for Backyard Chickens in permitted zones.
No other fowl or farm animals are allowed.
BylawZoning Bylaw 561, 2007, section 10.16 (Backyard Chickens).Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated to June 2, 2026), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
ZONING BYLAW 561, 2007
10.16. Backyard Chickens

How it works

The District's Zoning Bylaw 561, section 10.16, allows backyard chickens only on properties zoned RR3 or RU1 where the lot is greater than 500 m² and has no more than 2 dwelling units. Keeping them is prohibited in all other zones. Only hens are allowed, and only for personal use.

Steps

  1. Check that your lot is zoned RR3 or RU1 and is over 500 m².
  2. Register your premises with BC Premises ID. The District's page lists this as step one.
  3. Register your backyard chickens with the District. The page says registration is free, and the permit is annual.
  4. Build one enclosure in the rear yard, up to 2 m high. Keep it at least 2 m from the rear and interior side lot lines, and 3 m from a flanking side lot line and from a dwelling.
  5. Give the coop at least 0.4 m² per hen and the hen yard at least 1 m² per hen. Lock the hens in the coop from dusk to dawn.

Good to know

  • The maximum is 5 hens. Roosters are not allowed.
  • The enclosure must keep out other animals, keep food and water secured, and stay sanitary and free of odours.
  • Selling or trading eggs, manure or meat is not allowed, and neither is butchering hens.
  • The District's page says no other fowl or farm animals are allowed. The bylaw bans livestock and poultry on urban residential lots, apart from backyard chickens in permitted zones. Livestock means cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, farmed game and exotic animals.
  • Beekeeping is not covered in the documents read. Ask Bylaw Services at 250-766-6673.
  • The District's page says "minimum" 500 m² where the bylaw says "greater than" 500 m². Follow the bylaw and confirm with the District.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Kelowna · Vernon · Coldstream · West Kelowna · Lumby · Peachland

Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Contact Directory | District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated to June 2, 2026), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Animal Services, District of Lake Country (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.