Penticton backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?
Short answer
In Penticton you need a City hen permit ($50, one time) before hens arrive, and an Animal Control Officer inspects the coop. Hens are for properties with one single detached dwelling. The hen limit, rooster rules and other livestock rules are not stated in any readable document.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Yes, with a hen permit issued before any hens arrive. Under the Zoning Bylaw, urban hens are restricted to properties with one single detached dwelling.Backyard Chickens; Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), s. 7.7.1 Urban Hens · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAnyone who keeps hens on their property must apply for a hen permit, which must be issued prior to any hens arriving on your property. Urban hens are restricted to properties with one single detached dwelling. |
|---|---|
| Most hens | Not confirmed. The Animal Control Bylaw is a scanned image that could not be read. |
| Roosters | Not confirmed. The Animal Control Bylaw is a scanned image that could not be read. |
| Coop rules | The coop must pass an on-site inspection by an Animal Control Officer before a permit is approved.Hen Permit Application · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo permit will be approved without an onsite inspection of the chicken coop by an Animal Control Officer. |
| Permit or registration | A hen permit is required before hens arrive. Apply on the City form to Animal Control, with the owner's written consent if you rent. One-time fee $50. An Animal Control Officer inspects the coop on site.Backyard Chickens; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2014-07, Appendix 2 (consolidated October 2026), Appendix 2, Other Permits; Hen Permit Application · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPaying the one-time application fee as found in the Fees and Charges Bylaw. written consent from the property owner, if applicable Hen Permit (one-time fee) $50.00 $50.00 There will be a one-time fee of $50 to process your application. |
| Bees | Allowed with a beekeeping permit ($50, one time), only on properties with a single detached dwelling, and the keeper must live on the property. Limits: 2 hives on a parcel under 1,000 m², 4 on 1,000 to 2,000 m², 6 over 2,000 m².Beekeeping; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2014-07, Appendix 2 (consolidated October 2026), Appendix 2, Other Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA beekeeping permit is required to keep bees on your property in Penticton. Bees may only be kept on properties with a single detached dwelling. You must be a resident of the property where the bees are kept. Six beehives on a parcel that is over 2,000 square metres Bee Keeping Permit (one-time fee) $50.00 $50.00 |
| Other livestock | Not confirmed. The Animal Control Bylaw is a scanned image that could not be read. |
| Bylaw | Animal Control Bylaw No. 2021-02 (hen and bee permits); Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22, s. 7.7 (urban hens).Backyard Chickens; Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (consolidated October 2026), s. 7.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAnimal Control Bylaw No. 2021- 02 Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 |
How it works
Hens are allowed with a hen permit issued before any hens arrive. Under the Zoning Bylaw (s. 7.7.1), urban hens are restricted to properties with one single detached dwelling. The Animal Control Bylaw No. 2021-02 is a scanned image that could not be read, and no readable document states the maximum number of hens, whether roosters are allowed, coop size or setbacks, or rules for goats, horses, ducks or other livestock. Ask Animal Care and Control.
Steps for hens
- Complete the Hen Permit Application.
- If you rent, get written consent from the property owner.
- Send it to Animal Care and Control and pay the $50 fee.
- Pass an on-site coop inspection by an Animal Control Officer before the permit is approved.
Bees
- A beekeeping permit ($50, one time) is needed. Bees are allowed only on properties with a single detached dwelling, and the keeper must live on the property.
- Hive limits: 2 on a parcel under 1,000 m², 4 on 1,000 to 2,000 m², 6 over 2,000 m². Provincial beekeeping rules also apply.
Good to know
- No hen permit: a bylaw notice is $100; a municipal ticket is $200.
- Not following the hen-keeping rules: $250 notice; $500 ticket. Inadequate hen enclosure: $100 notice; $200 ticket.
What you'll need
- Completed permit application
- Written consent of the property owner, if you rent
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Summerland · Peachland · Keremeos · West Kelowna · Kelowna · Osoyoos
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Backyard Chickens, City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
- Beekeeping, City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
- Hen Permit Application (PDF), City of Penticton (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (PDF) (consolidated October 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2014-07, Appendix 2 (PDF) (consolidated October 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2012-5037 (PDF) (consolidated June 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2012-5021 (PDF) (consolidated June 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 3 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.