New Hazelton backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in New Hazelton?
Short answer
Yes. In New Hazelton you may keep up to six hens per parcel, but no roosters. Hens must be in a coop from sunset to sunrise. Bees are allowed if the hives are registered with the BC Apiculture Registration System. Most other livestock and poultry are prohibited.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Yes. Keeping up to six hens is permitted. A "hen" is a domestic female chicken at least four months old.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, s. 9.1, 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingHen Keeping up to six (6) hens only is permitted. “Hen” means a domestic female chicken that is at least four months old; |
|---|---|
| Most hens | Six hens per parcel, however many dwelling units are on it.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, s. 12.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingsix (6) hens, in aggregate, on any one parcel despite the number of dwelling units permissible on that parcel |
| Roosters | Not allowed. Roosters are on the list of prohibited animals; the only hen exception does not cover them.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, s. 12.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinghorses, donkeys, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, quail, or other poultry fowl i. keeping hens, subject to S. 9 of this bylaw; |
| Coop rules | Hens must be inside a coop from sunset to sunrise. The coop must be kept in good repair, keep other animals out, and be sanitary. Feed must not attract wildlife or vermin. Manure goes in a fully enclosed structure, no more than 0.08 m³ at a time.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, s. 9.3-9.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingHens must be secured within a Coop from sunset to sunrise. prevents entrance by other animals, and kept in a sanitary condition free from vermin Manure must be stored within a fully enclosed structure, with no more than 0.08 m3 (3ft3) of manure stored at one time. |
| Permit or registration | None set. The Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw names no permit, licence or registration for hens. |
| Bees | Allowed. Hives must be registered with the BC Apiculture Registration System. The hive entrance must face away from neighbours in a backyard with a continuous fence or hedge 1.8 m high, or the hive must be on a platform 2.5 m or more above ground. Bees need an adequate water supply.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, s. 10.2-10.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAll permitted beehives must be registered with the Apiculture Registration facing away from the neighbouring properties and be located in a backyard which has a continuous fence or hedge that is 1.8 metres in height situated 2.5 metres or more above ground level. An adequate water supply must be provided to prevent the bees from seeking |
| Other livestock | Animal Control Bylaw s. 12.1 prohibits horses, donkeys, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, quail and other poultry fowl in every area or zone, except hens, licensed pet shops or kennels and slaughterhouses. The Zoning Bylaw also permits a 'Hobby Farm' use in some zones; how the two fit is not stated.Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, s. 12.1; Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 392, 2026, reprinting Zoning Bylaw No. 389, 2025, s. 2 Definitions, Hobby Farm · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA person must not keep in any area or zone, temporarily or permanently, any horses, donkeys, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, quail, or other poultry fowl ii. licensed pet shops or kennels; or land on which an accessory barn, stable or animal shelter may be erected to house domestic animals kept for recreational purposes or for home consumption by the occupants of the dwelling. |
| Bylaw | Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026 (s. 9 hens, s. 10 bees, s. 12 prohibitions)Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingCITATION this Bylaw will be cited for all purposes as “Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026.” |
How it works
The Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394 permits up to six hens per parcel, however many dwelling units are on it. A hen is a domestic female chicken at least four months old. The bylaw sets no zone or lot-size condition for hens and names no permit, licence or registration for them. Roosters are not allowed.
Hen rules
- Hens must be inside a coop from sunset to sunrise.
- Keep the coop in good repair and sanitary, and keep other animals out.
- Feed must not attract wildlife or vermin.
- Keep manure in a fully enclosed structure, no more than 0.08 m³ at a time.
Good to know
- No coop setbacks, size limits or lot placement rules are given.
- Bees are allowed. Hives must be registered with the BC Apiculture Registration System and bees need an adequate water supply. The hive entrance must face away from neighbours, in a backyard with a continuous fence or hedge 1.8 m high, or the hive must be on a platform 2.5 m or more above ground.
- The bylaw prohibits horses, donkeys, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, quail and other poultry fowl in every area or zone, except hens, licensed pet shops or kennels and slaughterhouses.
- The Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 392 also lists a "Hobby Farm" use in some zones, and the bylaws do not say how it fits with that ban. Ask the District Office at (250) 842-6571.
- Under the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 393, keeping a prohibited animal is a $150 fine, and unlawful keeping conditions for hens is $100.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Smithers · Telkwa · Granisle · Terrace · Houston · Kitimat
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 394, 2026 (PDF), District of New Hazelton (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 393, 2026 (PDF), District of New Hazelton (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 392, 2026, reprinting Zoning Bylaw No. 389, 2025 (PDF), District of New Hazelton (read 2026-11-08)
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. How answers are checked.