Osoyoos backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Osoyoos?
In Osoyoos, no. Poultry (including chickens) and honeybee hives are prohibited in every zone except the Agriculture (AG) zone, so they are not allowed on ordinary residential lots. The bylaws set no hen number, rooster or coop rules.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | No, except in the Agriculture (AG) zone. Keeping poultry is prohibited in every other zone.Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, s. 6.5.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe use of land for the keeping of poultry or honeybee hives is prohibited in all zones except the Agriculture (AG) Zone. |
|---|---|
| Most hens | None set. Osoyoos bylaws set no hen number, rooster rule, coop rules or registration for hens. |
| Roosters | None set. Osoyoos bylaws set no hen number, rooster rule, coop rules or registration for hens. |
| Coop rules | None set. Osoyoos bylaws set no hen number, rooster rule, coop rules or registration for hens. |
| Permit or registration | None set. Osoyoos bylaws set no hen number, rooster rule, coop rules or registration for hens. |
| Bees | Honeybee hives are prohibited in every zone except the Agriculture (AG) zone.Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, s. 6.5.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe use of land for the keeping of poultry or honeybee hives is prohibited in all zones except the Agriculture (AG) Zone. |
| Other livestock | Not allowed on residential lots: the Zoning Bylaw prohibits unlisted uses, and "agriculture", which includes rearing livestock, is listed only in the AG zone. Livestock shelters in the AG zone need 15 metre setbacks.Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, Definition "agriculture"; 5.4.2; 19.1.5 d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinguses not listed in respect of a particular zone are prohibited. animals and range grazing of horses, cattle, sheep, and other livestock, composting operation and Despite Section 19.1.5(a), livestock shelters, equestrian centres, generator sheds, |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024 (zones and prohibited uses); Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026 (general animal care)Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, cover; Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBYLAW NO. 1395, 2024 Animal Care and Control Bylaw No.1393, 2026. |
How it works
The Town of Osoyoos's Zoning Bylaw No. 1395 prohibits keeping poultry in every zone except Agriculture (AG). Poultry means domestic fowl and pigeons. Residential lots are not in the AG zone, so backyard hens are not allowed. The same section prohibits honeybee hives outside the AG zone.
The bylaws set no hen numbers, no rooster rule, no coop or run rules and no registration for hens, because hens are not allowed outside AG land.
Other livestock
- Livestock (horses, cattle, sheep, swine, llamas, goats and similar) is not allowed on residential lots. The Zoning Bylaw prohibits unlisted uses, and rearing livestock is listed only under "agriculture" in the AG zone.
- In the AG zone, livestock shelters need 15 metre setbacks.
- Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, section 38, sets general shelter rules for any animal kept outdoors.
Good to know
- The ticket schedules list "Keeping livestock and honeybees contrary to regulations" (Zoning Bylaw section 6.5.4) at $200.
- If your land is zoned AG, ask Planning and Development Services at 250-495-6191 or plan@osoyoos.ca what applies to your parcel.
- Report concerns to Bylaw Enforcement at bylaw@osoyoos.ca or 250-495-6515.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Keremeos · Midway · Penticton · Greenwood · Summerland · Grand Forks
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Short-Term Rental Accommodation and Bed and Breakfast Operation | Osoyoos | Canada's warmest welcome (read 2026-11-06)
- Animal Control & Licensing | Osoyoos | Canada's warmest welcome (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, Town of Osoyoos (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Animal Care and Control Bylaw No. 1393, 2026, Town of Osoyoos (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1392, 2025, Town of Osoyoos (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1279, 2011, Town of Osoyoos (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 4 are recorded as not set. How answers are checked.