North Cowichan backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in North Cowichan?
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.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | 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.Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1; Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1, s. 1 definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe 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) “poultry” means chickens, turkeys, ducks, gees and pigeons |
|---|---|
| Most hens | 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.Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1, s. 48.1(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinga 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 |
| Roosters | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Coop rules | 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.Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1, s. 48.1(3)-(5) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAny 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 |
| Permit or registration | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Bees | 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).Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA Person who keeps bees must maintain the bees in a condition that will reasonably prevent swarming |
| Other livestock | 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.Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1; Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthan 2 farm animals must not keep rabbits in an outdoor Pen, cage or run, unless the Pen, cage or run is securely enclosed |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950 (s. 48.1, added by Bylaw 3758); Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (s. 5 bees).Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1, title; Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingZONING BYLAW 1997 No. 2950 CONSOLIDATION Current to September 14, 2026 Last amended on September 8, 2026 This Bylaw may be cited as “Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019” |
How it works
The rules come from the Zoning Bylaw (section 48.1) and the Animal Responsibility Bylaw.
- 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.
- 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.
- Lots of 1,675 m² or less: the zoning text gives no permission for poultry.
Steps
- Check your lot size on your property record or the zoning maps.
- 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.
- Keep rabbits in a secure pen.
- Ask Bylaw Services at 250-746-3108 if your situation is unclear.
Good to know
- No permit, licence or registration for backyard poultry was found.
- The bylaws do not mention roosters, and no coop size rules were found.
- Farm animals (cows, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, llamas, swine and so on) are not allowed on lots under 8,000 m².
- 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.
- Improper keeping of bees is $100 by bylaw notice ($50 if paid within 14 days, $120 after 28 days) or $150 by municipal ticket.
- The 15 m setback is large, so on many small lots a coop cannot meet it.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Duncan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Sidney · Lake Cowichan · Central Saanich
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Bylaw directory | Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf (read 2026-11-06)
- Tickets & Notices | Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw 1997, No. 2950, s. 48.1 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Animal Responsibility Bylaw No. 3740, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
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. How answers are checked.