Township of Langley backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in the Township of Langley?
Short answer
In the Township of Langley (not the City of Langley), chickens are permitted in agricultural zones only, not in residential zones. The readable sources give no hen limit and do not mention roosters. Hobby beekeeping is allowed in zones that list it, on lots of 650 m² or more, with limits on hives.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Chickens (poultry) are permitted in agricultural zones only, under the Zoning Bylaw. They are not permitted in residential zones.Animal Control, Chickens (poultry) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe keeping of chickens (poultry) is permitted in agricultural zones only, regulated by the Township’s Zoning Bylaw. Chickens (poultry) are not permitted in residential zones. |
|---|---|
| Most hens | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Roosters | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Coop rules | In rural (RU) zones, a building or structure used to shelter or house animals or poultry must be at least 15 metres from any property line. No size or coop-specific rule found.Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500, Section 200 Rural Zones, s. 201.7 2) (RU-1; repeated in other RU zones) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording2) No building or structure used to shelter or house any animals or poultry shall be sited less than 15 metres from any property line. |
| Permit or registration | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Bees | Hobby beekeeping is allowed only in zones that list it, on lots of 650 m² or more: 2 hives and 2 nucleus colonies under 2,000 m², 4 and 4 at 2,000 m² or more. Hives must be behind the principal building, behind a solid fence or hedge at least 1.83 m high, or 7.5 m from a lot line.Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 104.18 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingc) Notwithstanding a) and b) above, hobby beekeeping shall not be permitted 2) Beehives shall be located to the rear of the principal building on the lot; and be |
| Other livestock | The Zoning Bylaw defines agricultural use to include keeping poultry, pigeons, doves, bees or other livestock, and horses. Livestock in residential zones is not permitted unless the zone permits it (s. 104.7).Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, Zoning Bylaw 2500, s. 101 definitions and s. 104.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe keeping of poultry, pigeons, doves, bees, or other livestock, but excluding fur farms, No animals, other than household pets and guard dogs, may be kept in any zone |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500 (s. 101 "agricultural use", s. 104.7 keeping of animals, s. 104.18 hobby beekeeping, RU zone sections).Animal Control, Chickens (poultry); Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500, Section 100 Administration, s. 104.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingregulated by the Township’s Zoning Bylaw No animals, other than household pets and guard dogs, may be kept in any zone |
How it works
The Township's Animal Control page says chickens (poultry) are permitted in agricultural zones only, under the Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500. They are not permitted in residential zones. About 75 per cent of the Township is in the Agricultural Land Reserve, so check your zone first. The Township of Langley is a separate municipality from the City of Langley.
Steps
- Find your property's zone (see the zoning lookup answer).
- If it is an agricultural zone, ask the Township about hen numbers and coop rules. The readable sources set no hen limit, do not mention roosters, and require no permit.
- For bees, check that your zone lists hobby beekeeping.
Good to know
- In rural (RU) zones, a building used to shelter animals or poultry must be at least 15 metres from any property line. No coop size rule was found.
- Hobby beekeeping needs a lot of 650 m² or more. Limits are 2 hives and 2 nucleus colonies on lots under 2,000 m², and 4 and 4 at 2,000 m² or more.
- Hives must be behind the principal building, behind a solid fence or hedge at least 1.83 m high, or 7.5 m from a lot line.
- The Zoning Bylaw (s. 104.7) says no animals other than household pets and guard dogs may be kept in any zone unless that zone specifically permits them. Agricultural use includes poultry, pigeons, doves, bees, other livestock and horses.
- A bylaw notice for keeping animals where zoning prohibits them is $200.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Langley City · Surrey · White Rock · Maple Ridge · Port Coquitlam · Mission
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Animal Control, Township of Langley (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500, Section 100 Administration (PDF), Township of Langley (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw 1987 No. 2500, Section 200 Rural Zones (PDF), Township of Langley (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2008 No. 4703 (PDF), Township of Langley (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 3 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.