{"title":"North Vancouver backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules","question":"Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?","slug":"backyard-chickens","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-vancouver","name":"North Vancouver","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":"City of North Vancouver","url":"https://www.cnv.org"},"short_answer":"Yes, in part. The City of North Vancouver allows up to eight hens (no roosters) as an accessory use at homes in zones that permit it, and up to two beehives in the one-unit RS-1 zone only. No permit or fee is stated for hens. Other livestock is prohibited by the Zoning Bylaw.","aliases":["urban chickens north vancouver","hens cnv","beekeeping north vancouver","backyard hens"],"cost":"No permit is required for hens, and no fee is stated.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Engineering (general questions)","value":"604-983-7333"},{"type":"email","label":"Engineering","value":"eng@cnv.org"},{"type":"phone","label":"Bylaw Services (complaints)","value":"604-982-8302"},{"type":"email","label":"Bylaw Services","value":"bylaw@cnv.org"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Urban Chicken Keeping","url":"https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Social-Planning/Local-Food/Urban-Chicken-Keeping"},{"title":"Small Creatures Limitation Bylaw 1970 No. 4213 (PDF)","url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/4213-C.pdf"},{"title":"Hobby Bee Keeping Bylaw 2009 No. 7985 (PDF)","url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Hobby-Bee-Keeping/Hobby-Bee-Keeping-Bylaw-7985-2009.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"how-many-pets","title":"How many dogs or cats you can keep in North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/how-many-pets/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver-district","name":"District of North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/west-vancouver","name":"West Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-vancouver/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vancouver","name":"Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/backyard-chickens/"},{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/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":"Yes, hens only, as an accessory use. The Zoning Bylaw permits Accessory Hen Keeping in the RS-1 and RS-2 zones and lists it as an accessory use in several other residential zones (RS-4B, RG-2, RG-2A, RG-3, RG-4, RM-2); the City page says only Single Unit Residential (OCP-R1) dwellings. Hens are for personal use only; no sale of eggs or products.","short":"Yes, RS-1, RS-2 and other zones; personal use","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Social-Planning/Local-Food/Urban-Chicken-Keeping","title":"Urban Chicken Keeping, City of North Vancouver","section":"Urban Chicken Keeping page","quotes":["Only residents living in Single Unit Residential (OCP-R1) zoned dwellings are permitted to keep chickens","No sale of eggs or slaughter of chickens is permitted"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1995 No. 6700 (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw s. 501(1)(h)","quotes":["permitted in the RS-1 and RS-2 One-Unit Residential Zones:","Accessory Hen Keeping, with customarily incidental Accessory","(d) Accessory Hen Keeping subject to Sections 412 and 514"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/4213-C.pdf","title":"Small Creatures Limitation Bylaw 1970 No. 4213 (consolidated September 20, 2012) (PDF)","section":"s. 2","quotes":["Hens shall be kept for personal use only, and eggs, manure, meat, and other products"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"max_hens":{"label":"Most hens","value":"Up to eight hens in aggregate per permitted premises.","short":"Eight hens","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/4213-C.pdf","title":"Small Creatures Limitation Bylaw 1970 No. 4213 (consolidated September 20, 2012) (PDF)","section":"s. 2","quotes":["more than eight (8) hens in aggregate."]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Social-Planning/Local-Food/Urban-Chicken-Keeping","title":"Urban Chicken Keeping, City of North Vancouver","section":"Urban Chicken Keeping page","quotes":["Residents are permitted to keep up to eight hens"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"roosters":{"label":"Roosters","value":"No. The keeping of roosters is prohibited.","short":"No","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/4213-C.pdf","title":"Small Creatures Limitation Bylaw 1970 No. 4213 (consolidated September 20, 2012) (PDF)","section":"s. 2","quotes":["The keeping of roosters is prohibited."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"coop_rules":{"label":"Coop rules","value":"No hen-specific coop rules. A coop that is a building follows Zoning s. 514: behind the front of the house; in the rear 25% of the lot if over 10 m²; 1.22 m from the rear line, 0.61 m from an interior side line, 3.048 m from the house; height 3.658 m; all accessory buildings together limited to the lesser of 0.1 times lot area or 55.7 m². Build predator-proof; no slaughter on site.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1995 No. 6700 (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw s. 501(1)(h)","quotes":["Structures subject to Section 412, and customarily incidental","Accessory Buildings subject to Section 514 of this bylaw."]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Zoning/RS-RT-Accessory-Structure-Handout.pdf","title":"RS and RT Zone Accessory Structures handout (excerpt of Zoning Bylaw section 412)","section":"Zoning Bylaw s. 412(1)","quotes":["shall not exceed a Height of 3.658 metres (12 feet);"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Social-Planning/Local-Food/Urban-Chicken-Keeping","title":"Urban Chicken Keeping, City of North Vancouver","section":"Urban Chicken Keeping page","quotes":["Minimize the risk of predation and foraging by bears, coyotes, skunks, rats, and raccoons through proper and secure construction of pen and coop"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/4213-C.pdf","title":"Small Creatures Limitation Bylaw 1970 No. 4213 (consolidated September 20, 2012) (PDF)","section":"s. 2","quotes":["Hens shall not be slaughtered or euthanized on the property."]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Zoning/Accessory-Building-Handout.pdf","title":"Accessory Building Handout, City of North Vancouver (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw s. 514(1), (4), (5)","quotes":["shall be sited behind the front face of the Principal Building, and when","(a)      1.22 metres (4 feet) from the Rear Lot Line;","(e)      0.61 metres (2 feet) from the Interior Side Lot Line.","The total floor area for all Accessory Buildings on the Lot shall not exceed"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"registration":{"label":"Permit or registration","value":"No permit is required, and no fee is stated.","short":"Not required; no fee","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Social-Planning/Local-Food/Urban-Chicken-Keeping","title":"Urban Chicken Keeping, City of North Vancouver","section":"Urban Chicken Keeping page","quotes":["No permits are required"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bees":{"label":"Bees","value":"Hobby beekeeping is allowed in the RS-1 One-Unit Residential zone only: at most 2 hives, behind the principal building, entrance facing away from neighbours' dwellings, 7.5 m from the neighbouring property line unless raised 2.5 m or behind a solid fence or hedge 1.83 m high. The apiary must be registered under the provincial Bee Act.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Hobby-Bee-Keeping/Hobby-Bee-Keeping-Bylaw-7985-2009.pdf","title":"Hobby Bee Keeping Bylaw 2009 No. 7985 (PDF)","section":"s. 4, s. 5","quotes":["A Hobby Bee Keeper shall only keep bees within the RS-1 One Unit","A maximum of two (2) hives shall be permitted;","Hives shall not be located within 7.5 meters of an adjacent property line","be raised a minimum of 2.5 meters above grade","Bee Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 29"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"other_livestock":{"label":"Other livestock","value":"The Zoning Bylaw prohibits in all zones an agricultural use involving the keeping of horses, livestock, swine, fur bearing animals, poultry, pigeons, doves, bees or other animals or birds. Goats and ducks are not named. Hens (Bylaw 4213) and hobby bees (Bylaw 7985, Zoning s. 401(5)) are the exceptions.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1995 No. 6700 (PDF)","section":"Zoning Bylaw s. 402(5)","quotes":["Uses shall be prohibited in all zones:","An agricultural Use involving mushroom growing or the keeping of horses,","livestock, swine, fur bearing animals, poultry, pigeons, doves, bees, or","(5)     Hobby Bee Keeper and Educational Bee Keeper subject to the regulations"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Small Creatures Limitation Bylaw, 1970, No. 4213 (hens); Hobby Bee Keeping Bylaw, 2009, No. 7985 (bees); Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/4213-C.pdf","title":"Small Creatures Limitation Bylaw 1970 No. 4213 (consolidated September 20, 2012) (PDF)","section":"s. 4","quotes":["Small Creatures Limitation Bylaw, 1970, No. 4213"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Hobby-Bee-Keeping/Hobby-Bee-Keeping-Bylaw-7985-2009.pdf","title":"Hobby Bee Keeping Bylaw 2009 No. 7985 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Hobby Bee Keeping Bylaw, 2009, No. 7985"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1995 No. 6700 (PDF)","section":"Title","quotes":["Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":8,"stated":8,"matched":8,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nHens are allowed under the [Small Creatures Limitation Bylaw](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/4213-C.pdf) and the [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf), which permits Accessory Hen Keeping in the RS-1 and RS-2 zones and lists it as an accessory use in several other residential zones (RS-4B, RG-2, RG-2A, RG-3, RG-4, RM-2). The City's chicken page is narrower: it says only Single Unit Residential (OCP-R1) dwellings, so confirm your zone with Planning. Hobby bees fall under the [Hobby Bee Keeping Bylaw](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Hobby-Bee-Keeping/Hobby-Bee-Keeping-Bylaw-7985-2009.pdf).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Hens: up to eight in aggregate per permitted premises. No roosters. For personal use only, with no sale of eggs or products. No slaughter on site.\n- Coops: there are no hen-specific coop rules. A coop that is a building follows the Zoning Bylaw's accessory building rules (s. 514): behind the front of the house; in the rear 25% of the lot if over 10 m²; 1.22 m from the rear lot line, 0.61 m from an interior side line and 3.048 m from the house; height up to 3.658 m. Build it predator-proof.\n- Bees: RS-1 zone only, at most 2 hives, behind the principal building, entrance facing away from neighbours' dwellings. Keep hives 7.5 m from the neighbouring property line unless raised 2.5 m or behind a solid fence or hedge 1.83 m high. The apiary must be registered under the provincial Bee Act.\n- Other livestock: the Zoning Bylaw prohibits in all zones the keeping of horses, livestock, swine, fur bearing animals, poultry, pigeons, doves, bees or other animals or birds, apart from hens and hobby bees. Goats and ducks are not named; ask Bylaw Services at 604-982-8302.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Community-Environment/Social-Planning/Local-Food/Urban-Chicken-Keeping","title":"Urban Chicken Keeping, City of North Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/4213-C.pdf","title":"Small Creatures Limitation Bylaw 1970 No. 4213 (consolidated September 20, 2012) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Hobby-Bee-Keeping/Hobby-Bee-Keeping-Bylaw-7985-2009.pdf","title":"Hobby Bee Keeping Bylaw 2009 No. 7985 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/6700-1C.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw 1995 No. 6700 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Zoning/Accessory-Building-Handout.pdf","title":"Accessory Building Handout, City of North Vancouver (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Zoning/RS-RT-Accessory-Structure-Handout.pdf","title":"RS and RT Zone Accessory Structures handout (excerpt of Zoning Bylaw section 412)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/backyard-chickens/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/backyard-chickens.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/backyard-chickens.json"}}