{"title":"North Cowichan backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules","question":"Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in North Cowichan?","slug":"backyard-chickens","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"pets-and-wildlife","name":"Pets, animals and wildlife"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"Municipality of North Cowichan","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca"},"short_answer":"In North Cowichan, poultry is allowed on lots over 8,000 m² (1.98 acres). On lots over 1,675 m² and under 8,000 m², you can keep no more than 12 rabbits or poultry in total. No permit was found, and coops must be 15 m from every lot line.","aliases":["backyard chickens north cowichan","keep hens north cowichan","beekeeping bylaw north cowichan","livestock zoning north cowichan"],"cost":"No permit or fee for backyard poultry was found. Improper keeping of bees: bylaw notice $100, or municipal ticket $150.","how_long":"Not applicable. The rules apply as long as you keep the animals.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Services","value":"250-746-3108"},{"type":"online","label":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF)","value":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (PDF)","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968"}],"related":[{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in North Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/how-many-pets/"},{"slug":"noise-rules","title":"North Cowichan noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/noise-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/duncan","name":"Duncan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sidney","name":"Sidney","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/backyard-chickens/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens/"},"facts":{"hens_allowed":{"label":"Hens allowed","value":"Poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons) may be kept on any lot over 8,000 m² (1.98 acres). On lots from 1,675 m² (0.41 acre) up to 8,000 m², only a limited number (see max_hens). The zoning text gives no permission on lots of 1,675 m² or less.","short":"Yes, over 8,000 m²; fewer on 1,675 m² to 8,000 m²","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1 (PDF)","section":"s. 48.1","quotes":["The keeping of farm animals and poultry is permitted on a lot greater than 8000 m2 (1.98 ac) in","The keeping of farm animals and poultry is not permitted on a lot less than 8000 m2 (1.98 ac)"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1 (PDF)","section":"s. 1 definitions","quotes":["“poultry” means chickens, turkeys, ducks, gees and pigeons"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"max_hens":{"label":"Most hens","value":"Lots over 1,675 m² and under 8,000 m²: no more than 12 rabbits or poultry in total (on lots 4,000 to under 8,000 m² this is alongside up to 2 farm animals). Lots over 8,000 m²: no number is stated.","short":"12 poultry or rabbits on lots under 8,000 m²","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1 (PDF)","section":"s. 48.1(2)","quotes":["a total of not more than 12 rabbits or poultry","a total of not more than 12 rabbits or poultry and a total of not more"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"roosters":{"label":"Roosters","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","sources":[]},"coop_rules":{"label":"Coop rules","value":"Any structure that houses farm animals or poultry must be at least 15 m from every lot line (or the zone's larger setback, if bigger). Manure storage structures must also be 15 m from any lot line.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1 (PDF)","section":"s. 48.1(3)-(5)","quotes":["Any structure to house farm animals, or poultry must be set back at least 15 m from any lot line","Any structure used for the storage of manure must be set back at least 15 m from any lot line"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"registration":{"label":"Permit or registration","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","sources":[]},"bees":{"label":"Bees","value":"Allowed under the Animal Responsibility Bylaw if the keeper provides adequate water for the bees on their own property and keeps them in a way that reasonably prevents swarming. Bees are not counted as animals that must not trespass (s. 28).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 5","quotes":["A Person who keeps bees must","maintain the bees in a condition that will reasonably prevent swarming"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_livestock":{"label":"Other livestock","value":"Farm animals (cows, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, llamas, swine etc.) are not allowed on lots under 8,000 m². On lots from 4,000 m² (0.99 acre) to under 8,000 m² no more than 2 farm animals. Allowed on lots over 8,000 m² (1.98 acres). Rabbits must be in a secure pen.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1 (PDF)","section":"s. 48.1","quotes":["than 2 farm animals"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 4","quotes":["must not keep rabbits in an outdoor Pen, cage or run, unless the Pen, cage or run is securely enclosed"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (s. 48.1, added by Bylaw 3758); Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (s. 5 bees).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1 (PDF)","section":"title","quotes":["ZONING BYLAW 1997 No. 2950 CONSOLIDATION Current to September 14, 2026 Last amended on September 8, 2026"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as “Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019”"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":2},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe rules come from the Zoning Bylaw (section 48.1) and the [Animal Responsibility Bylaw](<https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf>).\n\n- **Lots over 8,000 m² (1.98 acres):** poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons) is allowed, and no number is stated. Farm animals are allowed too.\n- **Lots over 1,675 m² and under 8,000 m²:** no more than 12 rabbits or poultry in total. On lots from 4,000 m² (0.99 acre) to under 8,000 m², you may also keep up to 2 farm animals.\n- **Lots of 1,675 m² or less:** the zoning text gives no permission for poultry.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your lot size on your property record or the zoning maps.\n2. Keep any structure that houses poultry or farm animals at least 15 m from every lot line (or the zone's larger setback, if bigger). Manure storage must also be 15 m from any lot line.\n3. Keep rabbits in a secure pen.\n4. Ask Bylaw Services at 250-746-3108 if your situation is unclear.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- No permit, licence or registration for backyard poultry was found.\n- The bylaws do not mention roosters, and no coop size rules were found.\n- Farm animals (cows, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, llamas, swine and so on) are not allowed on lots under 8,000 m².\n- Bees are allowed if you provide adequate water for them on your own property and keep them in a way that reasonably prevents swarming. No zoning limit on hives was found.\n- Improper keeping of bees is $100 by bylaw notice ($50 if paid within 14 days, $120 after 28 days) or $150 by municipal ticket.\n- The 15 m setback is large, so on many small lots a coop cannot meet it.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/bylaw-directory","title":"Bylaw directory | Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-services/bylaw-services/tickets-notices","title":"Tickets &amp; Notices | Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/media/968","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-10/Animal%20Responsibility%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/backyard-chickens/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/backyard-chickens.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/backyard-chickens.json"}}