GovHandbook

Pemberton backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Pemberton?

Pemberton, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-09

Short answer

Pemberton requires a backyard hen permit and compliance with zoning. Residents can keep up to five hens per parcel. Apply in writing and include the permit fee.

Key facts

Hens allowedIn zones that allow backyard hens, the backyard rules cover lots over 600 m² and under 0.4 ha. Lots of 0.4 ha or more follow the agriculture provisions. The backyard limit is five hens.Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, Zoning Bylaw section 7.6(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
7.6 Backyard Hen Keeping (a) For lots on which backyard hen keeping is permitted, the following regulations apply: i. Backyard hen keeping is permitted on lots greater than 600 m2 and less than 0.4 ha in area; on lots that are 0.4 ha or greater, backyard hen keeping shall comply with regulations and conditions of use for Agriculture; ii. A maximum of five (5) hens is permitted and no roosters are permitted; and iii. An enclosure for the keeping of hens shall be provided.
Most hensUp to five hens per parcel.Animal Control Bylaw No. 839, 2018, PDF p. 16 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
c) Keep no more than five (5) Backyard Hens on any parcel of land despite the number of permissible dwelling units on that parcel;
RoostersRoosters are prohibited under the backyard hen rules.Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018, Zoning Bylaw section 7.6(a)(ii) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
7.6 Backyard Hen Keeping (a) For lots on which backyard hen keeping is permitted, the following regulations apply: i. Backyard hen keeping is permitted on lots greater than 600 m2 and less than 0.4 ha in area; on lots that are 0.4 ha or greater, backyard hen keeping shall comply with regulations and conditions of use for Agriculture; ii. A maximum of five (5) hens is permitted and no roosters are permitted; and iii. An enclosure for the keeping of hens shall be provided.
Coop rulesKeep hens in a secure coop from sunset until 7 a.m., with food and water containers in the coop.Animal Control Bylaw No. 839, 2018, PDF p. 17 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
f) Keep a food container and water container in each Coop; g) Ensure that all Backyard Hens are kept within a secure Coop from sunset to 7:00 a.m.; h) Ensure that each Backyard Hen remains at all times in a Coop or
Permit or registrationPemberton requires a backyard hen permit and compliance with zoning.Animal Control Bylaw No. 839, 2018, PDF p. 16 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
8.1. A person must not keep Backyard Hens except in accordance with this Bylaw, the Zoning Bylaw and with a Backyard Hen Keeping Permit.
9.1. A person may apply for a Backyard Hen Keeping Permit by submitting an application in writing to the Manager, in a form approved by the Manager, together with a non-refundable permit fee. (Amendment Bylaw No. 905, 2021)
BeesIn B.C., register the beekeeper and each apiary together. Local permission, hive numbers and siting for this property still need confirmation.B.C. Bee Regulation, B.C. Reg. 3/2015, B.C. Bee Regulation section 3(1), registration · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
#### Registration 3   (1) Both of the following must be registered together on an application for registration, including an application to renew a registration, made under section 12 (1) of the Act: (a) the person who will engage in beekeeping; (b) each apiary in relation to which the person will engage in beekeeping.
Other livestockNot confirmed. Checked Animal Control Bylaw No. 839, 2018, Village of Pemberton, Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018 (PDF); not found there.
BylawAnimal Control Bylaw No. 839, 2018Animal Control Bylaw No. 839, 2018, PDF p. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
Official wording
This Bylaw shall be cited as the Village of Pemberton "Animal Control Bylaw No. 839, 2018."

How it works

Start with the property, then plan the flock and the enclosure. The number of birds is only one part of the decision. How the bylaw describes the lot, the type of bird and the location of the coop can all affect a proposal. Keep hens in a secure coop from sunset until 7 a.m., with food and water containers in the coop.

Steps

  1. Check the rules for your flock in Animal Control Bylaw No. 839, 2018 (PDF). Find the property's zone and draw the proposed coop and run in relation to the home, neighbouring lots and street.
  2. Identify the number, age and type of birds you plan to keep. Compare those details with the limits below before buying birds or materials.

Good to know

  • In zones that allow backyard hens, the backyard rules cover lots over 600 m² and under 0.4 ha. Lots of 0.4 ha or more follow the agriculture provisions. The backyard limit is five hens.
  • In B.C., register the beekeeper and each apiary together. Local permission, hive numbers and siting for this property still need confirmation.
  • Roosters are prohibited under the backyard hen rules.
  • For bees or another species, ask about that species by name. A provision covering laying hens does not establish permission to keep every type of poultry or livestock.
  • For a question about the proposed number of birds, lot size and coop location, call the Municipal Hall at 604-894-6135.
  • Read the applicable provisions in Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018 (PDF).

The same question in other places

Whistler · Squamish · Lillooet · Lions Bay · Anmore · District of North Vancouver

Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Animal Control Bylaw No. 839, 2018 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
  2. Using the Village geographic information system (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
  3. Zoning Bylaw No. 832, 2018 (PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
  4. Pemberton municipal office contact information (read 2026-11-09)
  5. B.C. Bee Regulation, B.C. Reg. 3/2015 (read 2026-11-09)

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. How answers are checked.