Lillooet backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Lillooet?
Short answer
In Lillooet, hens are allowed where a house or duplex is the main use, but not on parcels under 625 m². The number depends on parcel size, from 6 hens on 626 to 2,499 m². Roosters are not permitted. No permit is needed.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Yes, where a single detached dwelling or duplex is the main use of the property. Parcels under 625 m² may not keep hens. The rules do not apply to agricultural uses.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027, ss. 44-45 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingWhere single detached dwelling or duplex is the principal use of a property does not apply to agricultural uses Less than 625 m2 0 |
|---|---|
| Most hens | By parcel area: under 625 m², none; 626-2,499 m², 6; 2,500 m²-0.39 ha, 15; 0.4-0.99 ha, 30; 1.0-1.49 ha, 75; 1.5-1.99 ha, 100; 2.0 ha or more, unlimited.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027, s. 45 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording626 m2 to 2,499 m2 6 2,500 m2 to 0.39 ha 15 0.4 ha to 0.99 ha 30 1.0 ha to 1.49 ha 75 1.5 ha to 1.99 ha 100 2.0 ha + Unlimited |
| Roosters | No. Roosters are not permitted.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027, ss. 46.11, 52 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNotwithstanding the definition of livestock, roosters are not permitted. not keep a rooster |
| Coop rules | Coop floor at least 0.37 m² per hen and an outdoor enclosure of at least 0.92 m²; coop at least 1.0 m from the neighbouring property line; coop locked from sunset to sunrise; a perch (15 cm) per hen and one nest box; no more than 3 cubic feet of manure stored, in a closed structure.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027, s. 46; Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026, s. 6.8.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingprovide a coop with at least 0.37 m2 of coop floor area per backyard hen provide a 1.0 metre setback distance from coop to neighboring property line keep each coop locked from sunset to sunrise store no more than three cubic feet of manure at a time Be located a minimum of 30.0 metres from any well, including wells on adjacent Parcels |
| Permit or registration | No permit or registration is needed. The keeper must own the property or have the owner's written permission.Animal Control, Backyard Hens; Animal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027, s. 46.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBackyard hen registration is not required in any zone. be the property owner or have written permission from the property owner |
| Bees | Allowed on parcels of at least 625 m² where a house or duplex is the main use. Two hives on lots up to 2,500 m²; unlimited on larger parcels. Hives 6.0 m from property lines, or 2.0 m behind a solid fence at least 1.8 m high or a vegetated strip over 2.0 m high.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027, ss. 48-49 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe minimum parcel size for keeping backyard bees is 625 m2 A maximum of two (2) honeybee hives are permitted on lots up to 2,500 m2 otherwise, the minimum setback shall be 6.0 metres from any property line |
| Other livestock | House or duplex as main use: livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, alpacas, llamas, ratites, poultry or fowl) none under 0.4 ha; 2 on 0.4-0.99 ha; 3 on 1.0-1.49 ha; 4 on 1.5-1.99 ha; 2.0 ha or more no upper limit. Quail and rabbits count as small livestock, with the hen limits.Animal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027, ss. 50-52, Definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording0.4 ha to 0.99 ha 2 30 1.0 ha to 1.49 ha 3 75 1.5 ha to 1.99 ha 4 100 Livestock means horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, alpacas, llamas |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027 (ss. 44-52), with the Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026 (s. 6.8).Animal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027, ss. 44-52, 75; Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026, s. 6.8.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAnimal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027 Back Yard Chickens Bylaw 2015, No. 411 Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026 |
How it works
The Animal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027 (sections 44 to 52) allows hens where a single detached dwelling or duplex is the main use of the property. Parcels under 625 m² may not keep hens. The rules do not apply to agricultural uses. The Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026 (section 6.8) also applies.
Good to know
- Hens by parcel area: under 625 m², none; 626 to 2,499 m², 6; 2,500 m² to 0.39 ha, 15; 0.4 to 0.99 ha, 30; 1.0 to 1.49 ha, 75; 1.5 to 1.99 ha, 100; 2.0 ha or more, unlimited. The table does not state 625 to 626 m², so ask the District if your parcel is that size.
- Roosters are not permitted.
- Coop: floor at least 0.37 m² per hen and an outdoor enclosure of at least 0.92 m²; at least 1.0 m from the neighbouring property line; locked from sunset to sunrise; a perch (15 cm) per hen and one nest box; no more than 3 cubic feet of manure stored, in a closed structure.
- No permit or registration is needed. The keeper must own the property or have the owner's written permission.
- Bees: allowed on parcels of at least 625 m² where a house or duplex is the main use. Two hives on lots up to 2,500 m²; unlimited on larger parcels. Hives must be 6.0 m from property lines, or 2.0 m behind a solid fence at least 1.8 m high or a vegetated strip over 2.0 m high.
- Livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, alpacas, llamas, ratites, poultry or fowl): none under 0.4 ha; 2 on 0.4 to 0.99 ha; 3 on 1.0 to 1.49 ha; 4 on 1.5 to 1.99 ha; no upper limit at 2.0 ha or more. Quail and rabbits count as small livestock, with the hen limits.
- Breaking these rules is a $100 bylaw notice for each ($50 if paid within 14 days; $200 if paid late).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Ashcroft · Logan Lake · Clinton · Pemberton · Whistler · Merritt
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Animal Control Bylaw No. 2025-027 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control, District of Lillooet (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2021-002, consolidated to March 24, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 2025-026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.