Midway backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Midway?

Midway, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Midway, you can keep up to 3 hens with a Village hen permit, only on single-family residential (R1 and R2) lots of at least 512 m², with written consent from all abutting neighbours. Bees, roosters and other livestock are not allowed unless a bylaw says so.

Key facts

Hens allowed	Yes, up to 3 hens, only on parcels zoned single-family residential (R1 and R2) with a lot of at least 512 m², written consent from all abutting neighbours, and a hen permit from the Village.Animal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012, s. 40; Animal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012, s. 40(ii) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording no more than three (3) hens may be kept on any parcel zoned for single family residential use (R1 and R2) provided that the lot size is a minimum of 512 square metres (1/8 acre) the property owner or renter has obtained and provided the City with written consent from all abutting neighbours
Most hens	3 hensAnimal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012, s. 40 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording no more than three (3) hens may be kept on any parcel zoned for single family residential use (R1 and R2)
Roosters	Not named. The bylaw bans keeping poultry or fowl except as it or the Zoning Bylaw allows, and its exception covers only hens (female chickens).Animal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012, s. 3 (Hen), s. 12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording means a female domestic chicken kept for the purposes of egg production poultry or fowl shall be harboured within the Village
Coop rules	Any hen structure at least 1.5 m from every property line and not in the front yard setback; only one structure per parcel; at least 0.4 m² enclosed area per hen; fenced against vermin and predators; kept clean.Animal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012, s. 40(iii) to (vii) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording any structure housing hens, whether portable or stationary, is always located at least 1.5 metres from any property line a minimum enclosed area of 0.4 square metres (4 square feet) is provided per hen only one structure containing hens is permitted on a parcel must not be located within the front yard setback
Permit or registration	Yes. A hen permit from the Bylaw Enforcement Officer (Schedule B form) must be received before the hens arrive. One permit per residence, renewed each year by December 31, not transferable; issued at the Village's sole discretion; Council can revoke it after 3 or more complaints.Animal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012, s. 40 (after (xiii)) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Applications to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer in the form of Schedule “B” attached to and forming part of this bylaw for a permit for hens must be received by the Village prior to the hens arriving on the property. Only one (1) permit per residence will be issued. Application must be made by the permit holder to the Village annually by December 31st to renew a hen project permit. issuance of a permit is at the sole discretion of the Village
Bees	Not allowed unless the Zoning Bylaw or the Animal Control Bylaw allows it; the bylaw bans keeping bees in the Village except as those permit.Animal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012, s. 12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording no horses, mules, donkeys, cows, pigs, llamas, alpacas, cattle, sheep, goats, bees, poultry or fowl shall be harboured within the Village
Other livestock	Horses, mules, donkeys, cows, pigs, llamas, alpacas, cattle, sheep, goats and other poultry or fowl are not allowed in the Village except as the Zoning Bylaw or the Animal Control Bylaw allows.Animal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012, s. 12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Except as may be allowed in the Village of Midway Zoning Bylaw, or provision of this bylaw, no horses, mules, donkeys, cows, pigs, llamas, alpacas, cattle, sheep, goats, bees, poultry or fowl shall be harboured within the Village.
Bylaw	Animal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012 (ss. 12 and 40); Zoning Bylaw No. 464, 2015Animal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012, ss. 1, 12, 40; Bylaws and Policies, Bylaws page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Village of Midway Animal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012 Bylaw 464 – Zoning Bylaw

How it works

The Animal Control Bylaw No. 438, 2012 bans keeping poultry, fowl, bees and most livestock in the Village, except as the Zoning Bylaw or the Animal Control Bylaw allows. The Animal Control Bylaw allows hens only. Roosters are not named in the bylaw text; its exception covers only hens (female chickens).

Steps

Check that your lot is zoned R1 or R2 and is at least 512 m².
Get written consent from all abutting neighbours.
Get a hen permit from the Bylaw Enforcement Officer (Schedule B form) before the hens arrive. Phone 250-449-8353 or email midwaybylaw@shaw.ca.
Keep no more than 3 hens. Renew the permit each year by December 31.

Good to know

One permit per residence. It cannot be transferred, is issued at the Village's sole discretion, and Council can revoke it after 3 or more complaints. A refused applicant may appeal to Council.
Coop: at least 1.5 m from every property line and not in the front yard setback; only one structure per parcel; at least 0.4 m² of enclosed area per hen; fenced against vermin and predators; kept clean.
Manure must be composted or disposed of to avoid odours. Eggs are for personal use only, not for resale. No slaughtering.
Bees, horses, mules, donkeys, cows, pigs, llamas, alpacas, cattle, sheep, goats and other poultry or fowl are banned unless the Zoning Bylaw allows them. The posted Zoning Bylaw cannot be read online, so ask the Village Office (250-449-2222).
The bylaw does not state a permit fee.