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

# North Saanich backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes, in North Saanich's single-family residential zones on lots of 1,115 square metres or more. Animal Control Bylaw 751 allows 10, 20 or 30 birds depending on lot size, in a coop that meets set rules. Roosters are mostly banned, and bee hives must be 20 feet from property lines.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of North Saanich, https://www.northsaanich.ca)  
**Cost:** Not stated. We found no poultry permit, licence or registration in the bylaw or the District's fee bylaw.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 250-656-0781
- Email: Bylaw Services, bylawenforcement@northsaanich.ca

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** Yes, in the single-family residential (R) zones, on lots of 1,115 m² (12,000 sq. ft.) or more within the limits below. Poultry may not be kept in the multi-family (RM-1, RM-2), commercial (C-1 to C-4, CS-1), marine (M-1 to M-7), community use (P-1), public assembly (P-2) and park (P-4) zones.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751, ss. 1.1 "Residential Zone", 9.1, 9.2](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "“Residential Zone” means parcels within the Single Family Residential Zones" … "1,115 m2 (12,000 sq. ft.) to 4,047 m2 (one acre) 10 head" … "No person shall keep or harbour any poultry on land situated in the following zones:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Most hens:** In residential zones: 10 birds on lots of 1,115 m² to 4,047 m² (one acre); 20 on lots over 0.4 ha up to 8,094 m² (two acres); 30 on lots over 8,094 m². The bylaw does not limit poultry numbers on parcels in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751, ss. 9.1, 9.3](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1,115 m2 (12,000 sq. ft.) to 4,047 m2 (one acre) 10 head" … "over 0.4 ha (one acre) up to 8,094 m2 (two acres) 20 head" … "over 8,094 m2 (two acres) 30 head" … "this bylaw does not limit the maximum number of poultry that can be kept on parcels within the Agricultural Land Reserve."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Roosters:** Not allowed in residential zones, except one rooster on a parcel over 7,082 m² (1.75 acres), only with hens in the same coop, kept in a secure coop overnight (sunset to sunrise, blocking light and crowing). Animal Control Bylaw 751 says 7,028 m²; the Zoning Bylaw applies the more restrictive rule. (Sources differ: The two bylaws give different areas for 1.75 acres: Animal Control Bylaw s. 9.4 says 7,028 m² and Zoning Bylaw s. 107.1.2(d) (and 107.1.1(i)) says 7,082 m² (1.75 acres is about 7,082 m²). The 7,028 figure looks like a typo, but the text was not reconciled; the Zoning Bylaw also limits the rooster to one, secured overnight in a coop.)
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751, ss. 9.4, 9.6](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Roosters are not permitted in a Residential Zone, except one rooster may be kept on parcels over 7,028 m2 (1.75 acres) and only if there are hens in the same coop." … "in a manner that eliminates any light intrusion and prevents early morning crowing."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1255 (consolidated 2023), s. 107.1.2(d)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A parcel must exceed 7,082 square metres (1.75 acres) in area;" … "only when hens are present;" … "parcel must exceed 7,082 square metres (1.75 acres) in area" … "otherwise only in accordance with the more restrictive of setbacks"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coop rules:** Floor area of at least 0.37 m² per bird and no more than 9.2 m²; a roofed outdoor enclosure of at least 0.92 m²; no taller than 2 m; sited at least 7.6 m from all property lines; a perch (15 cm) and a nest box for each bird; birds secured inside from sunset to sunrise. Keep coops clean and keep existing trees and hedges along adjacent boulevards and property lines as buffers.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751, ss. 9.5, 9.7, 9.8](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "provide at least .37 m2 (4 ft 2) of coop floor area per each head of poultry;" … "be no larger than 9.2m2 (100 ft2) in floor area;" … "provide a minimum of .92 m 2 (10ft 2) of roofed outdoor enclosure;" … "be no more than 2 m (6.5 ft.) in height;" … "be sited and setback no less than 7.6 m from all property lines;" … "be secured from sunset to sunrise, with poultry kept within." … "Existing trees and hedges along adjacent boulevards and property lines must be retained as buffer zones where poultry are kept."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1255 (consolidated 2023), definition of "structure"](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(g) coops (poultry) established in accordance with the Animal Control Bylaw;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit or registration:** Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
- **Bees:** Allowed as an accessory use. A hive or other bee-housing device must be at least 20 feet from any property line, unless used with a greenhouse operation. In single-family residential (R) zones, beekeeping is permitted only as a non-commercial use unless set up as a home occupation.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751, s. 13.1](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall place any hive or other device for the housing of bees on any parcel of land unless the said hive or device is located at least 20 feet from any property line"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1255 (consolidated 2023), s. 107.1.2(c)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the accessory keeping of bees provided that:" … "unless established in accordance with the home occupation provisions." … "permissible as a secondary permitted use only, except for lands within the ALR or Rural Agricultural Zones"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other livestock:** Residential lots: farm animals other than horses need a lot of at least 4,000 m² (one animal; two over 8,000 m²). Horses need at least 3,400 m² (two animals; four over 6,000 m²). No farm animals in the multi-family, commercial, marine, community use, public assembly or park zones. Fur-bearing animals may not be raised.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751, ss. 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 7.1](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "unless said parcel is at least 4000 square metres in area." … "Where a parcel exceeds 8000 square metres, two farm animals may be kept." … "unless said parcel is at least 3400 square metres in area." … "four animals of the equine family may be kept." … "No person shall keep or harbor any farm animal on land situated in the" … "No parcel of land within the Municipality may be used for the raising of fur-"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** District of North Saanich Animal Control By-law (1993), Bylaw No. 751 (poultry, bees, farm animals); District of North Saanich Zoning Bylaw No. 1255 (rooster and bee rules, s. 107.1)
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751, s. 22.1 and title](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
  - Official wording: "District of North Saanich Animal Control By-law (1993)" … "ANIMAL CONTROL BY-LAW NO. 751"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1255 (consolidated 2023), title](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)
  - Official wording: "DISTRICT OF NORTH SAANICH ZONING BYLAW NO. 1255"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Poultry, bees and farm animals are governed by [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf), with some rules in the [Zoning Bylaw No. 1255](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf). Poultry means chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and other birds raised for food or eggs.

## Chickens and other poultry

1. Poultry is allowed in the single-family residential (R) zones on lots of 1,115 square metres (12,000 square feet) or more. The bylaw does not address smaller R-zone lots, so ask the District.
2. The limit counts all poultry, not only hens: 10 birds on lots of 1,115 to 4,047 square metres; 20 on lots over 0.4 hectares up to 8,094 square metres; 30 on lots over 8,094 square metres. The bylaw sets no limit on parcels in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
3. Coop: floor area of at least 0.37 square metres per bird and no more than 9.2 square metres, a roofed outdoor enclosure of at least 0.92 square metres, no taller than 2 metres, and at least 7.6 metres from all property lines. Provide a perch (15 centimetres) and a nest box for each bird.
4. Keep the birds inside the coop from sunset to sunrise, and keep the coop clean.
5. Poultry is not allowed in the multi-family, commercial, marine, community use, public assembly or park zones.

## Roosters

Roosters are not allowed in residential zones, except one rooster on a parcel over 7,082 square metres (1.75 acres), kept only with hens in the same coop and in a secure coop overnight.

## Bees and farm animals

- Hives must be at least 20 feet from any property line, unless used with a greenhouse operation. In R zones, beekeeping is non-commercial unless set up as a home occupation.
- Farm animals other than horses need a lot of at least 4,000 square metres (one animal; two over 8,000). Horses need at least 3,400 square metres (two animals; four over 6,000). Fur-bearing animals may not be raised.

## Good to know

- The Animal Control Bylaw says 7,028 square metres for a rooster, while the Zoning Bylaw says 7,082. The Zoning Bylaw says the more restrictive rule applies, so confirm with the District.
- Strata rules, covenants and other restrictions can still prohibit poultry.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751 (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1255 (consolidated 2023) (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/backyard-chickens.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Control Bylaw No. 751 (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/0751-Animal-Control-Cons-February-2014.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1255 (consolidated 2023) (PDF)](https://www.northsaanich.ca/wp-content/uploads/1255-District-of-North-Saanich-Zoning-Bylaw-No.-1255-Consolidated-2023.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 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of North Saanich. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/backyard-chickens/_