Mission backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?
Short answer
Yes for hens: Mission's Zoning Bylaw allows 2 to 6 egg-laying hens per lot in a backyard coop and run, with no roosters and a provincial premises identification number. Bees and other livestock are allowed only in certain zones and on lots of a minimum size.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Yes. Urban hen keeping (egg-laying hens in a backyard coop and run) is a permitted use in all R zones, S10, S10s, SN1A, all UC zones and several CD zones. Coops go only in the backyard of a completely fenced, secure property.Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020, s. 106(F)(3) Agriculture Uses; Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020, s. 102 Definitions; Urban Hen Keeping, General Hen Guidelines; Coop Placement · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCD44, DT3, MB558, MD465, All R Zones, S10, S10s, SN1A, all UC Zones means a Use providing for the keeping of egg-laying hens in a Backyard Hen Coop and Run. Hen enclosures may only be located in the backyards of properties that are completely fenced and secure. |
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| Most hens | 6 hens per lot, with a minimum of 2.Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020, s. 102 Definitions, Agriculture (Urban Hen Keeping); Urban Hen Keeping, General Hen Guidelines · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga maximum of six (6) hens are permitted per lot with the minimum being two (2) hens, a maximum of six (6) hens are permitted per lot with the minimum being two (2) hens |
| Roosters | Not allowed.Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020, s. 102 Definitions, Agriculture (Urban Hen Keeping); Urban Hen Keeping, General Hen Guidelines · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingroosters are not permitted, roosters are not permitted |
| Coop rules | One coop per single-family lot, never in the front yard. Coop at least 0.37 m² (4 sq ft); run at least 1 m² (10 sq ft) per hen. Setback: 3 m from any lot line bordering another residential lot, or 1.25 m from the rear line and 1.5 m from side lines if the entrance faces away from the nearest line, or to the line with the neighbour’s consent. Coop and run must be surrounded by electric fencing (WildSafeBC guidelines).Sources differ: The City’s Urban Hen Keeping page says the coop must be at least 4 sq ft (0.37 m²) per hen, while the Zoning Bylaw definition gives 0.37 m² (4.0 sq. ft.) as the minimum coop size. The Zoning Bylaw wording is used. The City page also lists nest-box (1 per 4 hens) and perch requirements.Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020, s. 102 Definitions, Backyard Hen Coop and Run · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga maximum of one coop permitted per single-family lot. coops are not permitted in front yards. minimum coop size: 0.37m2 (4.0 sq. ft.). minimum 3.0 meters for any property line bordering another residentially zoned lot, or minimum of 1.25 metres from rear property line and 1.5 metres from interior side property lot lines if coop entrance is located away from nearest lot line, or with consent from neighbour, a coop and run can extend to property line. must provide minimum 1.0 m2 (10.0 sq. ft.) of floor area per hen, coop and run must be surrounded in electric fencing designed and maintained in accordance |
| Permit or registration | A provincial premises identification number is required. The City sources name no City permit, licence or fee for keeping hens.Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020, s. 102 Definitions, Agriculture (Urban Hen Keeping); Urban Hen Keeping, General Hen Guidelines · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingprovincial registration for a premises identification number is required. provincial registration for a premises identification number is required |
| Bees | Allowed under Agriculture (Minor) in all A zones, IA, all RR, all S zones, CD7 and SN1A, and under Agriculture (Major). Some zones need a minimum lot size: 0.2 ha in S20 and S20s, 0.36 ha in RR7 and RR7s. Hives must be kept inaccessible to dangerous wildlife.Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020, s. 102 Definitions, Agriculture (Minor); s. 106(F)(3); Solid Waste Management Bylaw 5526-2015, s. 5.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe keeping of: • bees, • horses, cattle, llamas, or alpacas Agriculture (Minor) All A zones, IA, all RR, all S zones, CD7, SN1A Agriculture (Minor) – provided minimum Lot size is 0.36 ha (0.88 ac). Agriculture (Minor) – provided minimum Lot size is 0.2 ha (0.49 ac). Bee hives must be made inaccessible to Dangerous Wildlife. |
| Other livestock | Only under Agriculture (Minor): all A zones, IA, all RR, all S zones, CD7, SN1A (minimum lot 0.2 ha in S20 and S20s, 0.36 ha in RR7 and RR7s). Per hectare: horses, cattle, llamas or alpacas 5; sheep or goats 10; hens, ducks, geese or rabbits 50. Small livestock indoors or in a wildlife-resistant enclosure dusk to dawn.Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020, s. 102 Definitions, Agriculture (Minor); Solid Waste Management Bylaw 5526-2015, s. 5.8; FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part H, s. 35 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinghorses, cattle, llamas, or alpacas (limited to 5 animals per 1.0 ha (2.47 ac) of Lot Area) sheep or goats (limited to 10 animals per 1.0 ha (2.47 ac) of Lot Area), chicken hens, ducks, geese, or rabbits (limited to 50 animals per 1.0 ha (2.47 ac) of Lot Area), Agriculture (Minor) – provided minimum Lot size is 0.36 ha (0.88 ac). Agriculture (Minor) – provided minimum Lot size is 0.2 ha (0.49 ac). Pets and small livestock, including rabbits, chickens and similar animals, must be kept indoors or contained in a Wildlife Resistant Enclosure from dusk to dawn. livestock or poultry or animals typically requiring the presence of an aviary or apiary are not kept on any real property, except as permitted pursuant to all applicable zoning and other regulations |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020 (Agriculture (Urban Hen Keeping), Agriculture (Minor)); Solid Waste Management Bylaw 5526-2015 (wildlife rules); FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 (s. 35)Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020, Title; Solid Waste Management Bylaw 5526-2015, Title; FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated), Part A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingZoning Bylaw 5949-2020 Table of Contents Section 1505 - Industrial Waste Resource Management Zones............................................................259 Industrial Waste Resource Management Zone (INWM) i. backyard hen coops and runs; and ii. other wildlife attractants as defined in the Solid Waste Management Bylaw 5526-2015 or as updated; District of Mission Solid Waste Management Bylaw 5526-2015 Fraser Valley Regional District Animal Control Regulation Bylaw No. 1206, 2013 |
How it works
Under Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020, urban hen keeping (egg-laying hens in a backyard coop and run) is a permitted use in all R zones, S10, S10s, SN1A, all UC zones and several CD zones. Coops go only in the backyard of a completely fenced, secure property.
Steps
- Keep 2 to 6 hens per lot. Roosters are not allowed.
- Get a provincial premises identification number. The sources we read name no City permit, licence or fee.
- Build one coop per single-family lot, never in the front yard: at least 0.37 m2 (4 sq ft) for the coop and 1 m2 (10 sq ft) of run per hen.
- Set the coop back 3 m from any lot line bordering another residential lot. Alternatives: 1.25 m from the rear line and 1.5 m from side lines if the entrance faces away from the nearest line, or to the line with the neighbour's consent.
- Surround the coop and run with electric fencing, per WildSafeBC guidelines.
Good to know
- Bees are allowed under Agriculture (Minor) in all A zones, IA, all RR, all S zones, CD7 and SN1A, and under Agriculture (Major). A minimum lot size applies in some zones: 0.2 ha in S20 and S20s, 0.36 ha in RR7 and RR7s. Hives must be kept inaccessible to dangerous wildlife.
- Other livestock is allowed only under Agriculture (Minor), in the same zones and with the same minimum lot sizes. Limits per hectare: horses, cattle, llamas or alpacas 5; sheep or goats 10; hens, ducks, geese or rabbits 50. Small livestock must be indoors or in a wildlife-resistant enclosure from dusk to dawn.
- The City's hen page words the coop size per hen; the bylaw definition gives 0.37 m2 as the minimum coop size. Confirm with Planning.
What you'll need
- Provincial premises identification (PID) number
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Abbotsford · Township of Langley · Maple Ridge · Langley City · Pitt Meadows · Chilliwack
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Urban Hen Keeping, City of Mission (read 2026-11-05)
- Solid Waste Management Bylaw 5526-2015 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- FVRD Animal Control Regulation Bylaw 1206, 2013 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
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.