---
title: Nanaimo backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
question: "Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?"
place: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nanaimo
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Nanaimo
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/backyard-chickens/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/backyard-chickens.json"
---

# Nanaimo backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

**Question:** Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?

**Short answer:** Yes, with limits. In the City of Nanaimo you may keep up to 6 hens or ducks on a residential lot of 0.045 to under 0.4 hectares, or 4 on a smaller lot, with no roosters. Beekeeping is allowed (1 hive on lots under 0.4 hectares). Other livestock is allowed only on land zoned for it.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Nanaimo, https://www.nanaimo.ca)  
**Cost:** No permit, licence or registration fee for keeping hens was found in the bylaw or on the City's page.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Nanaimo Animal Control Services, 250-616-0233
- Phone: Planning (zoning questions), 250-755-4429
- Email: Planning, planning@nanaimo.ca

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** Poultry may be kept only on parcels over 0.4 ha, except that hens or ducks are allowed on smaller residential parcels: up to 6 on parcels from 0.045 ha to under 0.4 ha, and up to 4 on parcels under 0.045 ha, with conditions. Not allowed inside a dwelling unit, on a balcony or deck, or in a cage (except to transport).
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, ss. 65-67](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Person shall keep or harbour any Poultry on any parcel of land unless that parcel of land has" … "an area greater than .4 hectares." … "(a) a maximum of 6 hens or ducks, or combination thereof, on a parcel of land less than .4" … "hectares in size but greater than .045 hectares in size; or" … "(b) if the parcel of land is smaller than .045 hectares in size, a maximum of 4 hens or ducks," … "within any Dwelling Unit, or on a balcony or deck; or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Most hens:** 4 hens or ducks combined on parcels under 0.045 ha; 6 on parcels from 0.045 ha to under 0.4 ha. The bylaw sets no hen cap above 0.4 ha, but the general 12-animal limit (s. 6) applies unless agriculture is a permitted use (s. 9.4(d)). City web page says 12 on 1 acre or more. (Sources differ: The City web page (Animals in the City) gives "Less than .45 hectares: no more than 6" and "1 acre or more: 12"; the bylaw says 0.4 ha for the 6-hen tier and sets no hen-specific cap on larger parcels (general limits in s. 6 apply). Bylaw followed for small lots; the 12 figure is from the web page only.)
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 66](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(a) a maximum of 6 hens or ducks, or combination thereof, on a parcel of land less than .4" … "(b) if the parcel of land is smaller than .045 hectares in size, a maximum of 4 hens or ducks," … "Unless expressly permitted by this Bylaw, no Person shall keep, on any Property, more than 12 Animals." … "The keeping of Livestock or Poultry on a Property on which agriculture is a permitted use pursuant to the applicable zoning bylaw."
  - Source: [Animals in the City, web page FAQ](https://www.nanaimo.ca/green-initiatives/urban-forestry/animals-trees-gardens/animals-in-the-city)
  - Official wording: "Less than .045 hectares: no more than 4 hens or ducks" … "1 acre or more: 12 hens or ducks maximum"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Roosters:** No roosters, cocks, cockerels or peafowl where hens or ducks are kept under the small-lot exception (parcels under 0.4 ha). The bylaw sets no rooster rule for larger parcels; the City web page wording on this is unclear. (Sources differ: The bylaw condition is written as a proviso to the small-lot exception in s. 66; the web page states a city-wide ban. Roosters are named in the definition of Poultry.)
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 66(c)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(c) no roosters, cocks, cockerels, or peafowl are kept on the Property;" … "no roosters, cocks, cockerels, or peafowl are kept on the Property;"
  - Source: [Animals in the City, web page FAQ](https://www.nanaimo.ca/green-initiatives/urban-forestry/animals-trees-gardens/animals-in-the-city)
  - Official wording: "may be kept on any property."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coop rules:** At least 0.37 m² of enclosure per hen or duck. Any enclosure, portable or fixed, must meet the setbacks of the zone; in AR1 and AR2 zones animal pens and enclosures must be at least 15 m from all lot lines. Keep enclosures clean, dry and free of odours; no butchering on the property.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 66](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(d) a minimum Enclosure of .37m2 must be provided per hen or duck;" … "(e) any Enclosure containing hens or ducks, whether portable or stationary, must comply with" … "the setback requirements of the zone;" … "(f) Enclosures housing hens or ducks and the areas around them must be kept clean, dry," … "(h) no butchering or euthanizing of hens or ducks occurs on the Property; and"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 4500, section 6.10 Fence Height (consolidated), Zoning Bylaw 4500 s. 8.5.2](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf)
  - Official wording: "buildings, structures, cages, enclosures, runs or pens used for the keeping of animals, drinking or feeding troughs or manure piles shall not be located less than 15m from all lot lines."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit or registration:** None set. Nanaimo's bylaw and the City's page set no permit, licence or fee for keeping hens.
- **Bees:** Allowed. On parcels under 0.4 ha: 1 hive (one hive box and no more than 2 nucs on top). On parcels over 0.4 ha: up to 3 hives per 0.4 ha. Hives at least 7.5 m from neighbours unless behind a solid fence or hedge at least 1.83 m high with the entrance facing away; water within 1 m; keeper must be registered under the Bee Act.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, ss. 56-58](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Person shall keep or harbour bees in excess of 1 beehive, consisting of no more than 1 hive" … "box and 2 nucs on top, on any parcel of land under .4 hectares." … "3 beehives, consisting of no more than 1 hive box and 2 nucs per hive, per .4 hectares." … "Apiaries shall not be located within 7.5 meters of an adjacent property line unless:" … "Every Person keeping Bees must be registered under the Bee Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other livestock:** Livestock (goats, horses, alpaca, sheep, swine) may be kept only on property zoned for it; the Zoning Bylaw permits Agriculture in the AR1 and AR2 zones, with animal pens at least 15 m from all lot lines. Not in a dwelling unit; no grazing on unfenced land unless tethered. Rabbits: pens 3 m from property lines, sterilized.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, ss. 69-73, 2 (Livestock)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Person shall keep any Livestock on any property, within the City, other than property zoned" … "for such uses in the City’s Zoning Bylaw." … "cows, donkeys, emus, goats, horses, llamas, mules, ostriches, sheep," … "situated at least 3 metres away from each Property line." … "(b) 4 Hook Bill Birds, chinchillas, domestic ferrets, hedgehogs, Rabbits, sugar gliders, or" … "A Person must not keep any Rabbit which is not Sterilized."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 4500, section 6.10 Fence Height (consolidated), Zoning Bylaw 4500 s. 8.2.1, 8.5.2](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Agriculture P P Roadside stands for agriculture or horticulture products grown on the lot are permitted" … "shall not be located less than 15m from all lot lines."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316; enclosure setbacks come from the Zoning Bylaw No. 4500.
  - Source: [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316, s. 1](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “ANIMAL RESPONSIBILITY BYLAW 2021 NO. 7316.”"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 4500, section 6.10 Fence Height (consolidated), title](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf)
  - Official wording: "City of Nanaimo Zoning Bylaw No. 4500"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Chickens, bees and livestock in the City of Nanaimo are regulated by the [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf) together with the Zoning Bylaw. Poultry may be kept on parcels over 0.4 hectares; on smaller residential parcels hens or ducks are allowed with conditions. The bylaw and the City's page set no permit, licence or fee for keeping hens.

## Hens and ducks

- Parcels under 0.045 hectares: up to 4 hens or ducks combined.
- Parcels from 0.045 to under 0.4 hectares: up to 6.
- Parcels over 0.4 hectares: the bylaw sets no hen cap, so the general 12-animal limit applies unless agriculture is a permitted use.
- No roosters, cockerels or peafowl on the smaller parcels (under 0.4 hectares) where hens are kept under this exception.
- At least 0.37 m² of enclosure per bird. The enclosure must meet the zone's setbacks, and be kept clean, dry and free of odours.
- Not inside a dwelling, on a balcony or deck, or in a cage except to transport.
- No butchering on the property.

## Bees

- Lots under 0.4 hectares: 1 hive (one hive box and no more than 2 nucs on top). Larger lots: up to 3 hives per 0.4 hectares.
- Hives at least 7.5 m from neighbours unless behind a solid fence or hedge at least 1.83 m high with the entrance facing away.
- Water within 1 m, and the keeper must be registered under the Bee Act.

## Good to know

- Livestock (goats, horses, alpaca, sheep, swine) only on property zoned for it. The Zoning Bylaw permits agriculture in the AR1 and AR2 zones, with animal pens at least 15 m from all lot lines. Not in a dwelling.
- Rabbits: pens 3 m from property lines, and sterilized.
- The City's Animals in the City page says 12 hens at 1 acre or more and describes the rooster ban as city-wide; the bylaw says otherwise, so confirm with Animal Control or Planning.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animals in the City (City of Nanaimo)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/green-initiatives/urban-forestry/animals-trees-gardens/animals-in-the-city)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 7316 (PDF)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/how-many-pets.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Sechelt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [Animals in the City, City of Nanaimo](https://www.nanaimo.ca/green-initiatives/urban-forestry/animals-trees-gardens/animals-in-the-city) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2021 No. 7316 (PDF)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7316.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 4500, section 6.10 Fence Height (consolidated)](https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/4500.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 1 is recorded as not set. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Nanaimo. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/backyard-chickens/_