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

# Port Alberni backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes, within limits. In Port Alberni, hens are allowed in single detached residential zones on lots of 350 m2 or more: up to 4 on lots under 450 m2, up to 6 on lots over 450 m2 and under 2,000 m2. Bees need a lot of at least 600 m2.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Port Alberni, https://www.portalberni.ca)  
**Cost:** No permit, licence or registration for hens is mentioned in the bylaw or on the City's pages. Beehives must be registered with the Province.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Development Services (Community Planning), 250-720-2835 (Upper, 4835 Argyle Street, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1V9)
- Email: Development Services, DevelopmentServices@portalberni.ca
- Online: Register beehives with the Province, http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/animals-and-crops/animal-production/bees

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** Yes. Female poultry (hens) are allowed in single detached residential zones on lots of 350 m² or more; prohibited on smaller lots. Not applicable to properties with farm status under the BC Assessment Act.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 6.23, 6.23.2, 6.23.12](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of female poultry is prohibited on lots less than 350 m2" … "These regulations do not apply to properties with farm status classification under"
  - Source: [Animal Control and Wildlife, Chickens](https://www.portalberni.ca/animal-control-and-wildlife)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of female poultry is prohibited on lots less than 350 m2"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Most hens:** Up to 4 hens on lots under 450 m². Up to 6 hens, in enclosed runs, on lots over 450 m² and under 2,000 m². The bylaw states no limit for lots of 2,000 m² or more.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 6.23.3](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of up to six (6) female poultry in enclosed runs is permitted on lots less" … "no more than four (4) female poultry may be kept"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Roosters:** No. Male poultry are prohibited, except on ALR land or parcels over 2,000 m² (21,528 sq ft).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 6.23.1](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of male poultry is prohibited, except on ALR lands or on parcels greater"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coop rules:** Residential zones: runs at least 0.8 m² (8.5 sq ft) and coops at least 0.2 m² (2 sq ft) per bird; poultry building not in the front yard and at least 3 m (10 ft) from any lot line. Agriculture zone: poultry buildings 25 m from all lot lines.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 6.23.4-6.23.5](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Runs shall provide at least 0.8 m2 (8.5 ft2) of space per bird" … "must not be located in the front yard and must be located at least 3 m (10 ft) from any lot line" … "shall be located not less than 25 m (82 ft) from all lot lines"
  - 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 in single detached residential zones. Banned on lots under 600 m²; up to 2 hives on lots 600 to 929 m², up to 4 on larger lots. Rear yard only, 7.5 m from the neighbouring lot line, entrance facing away behind a 1.8 m solid fence or hedge. Must register with the Province.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 6.23.6-6.23.11](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of bees on lots less than 600 m2 (6,458 ft2) in area is prohibited." … "Beehives are restricted to rear yards." … "A beehive will be located a minimum of 7.5 m (25 feet) away" … "All persons wishing to keep bees must be registered with the BC Ministry of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Other livestock:** In the Agriculture, Future Development and Rural Residential zones, lots under 0.4 ha (1 acre) may not keep cows, goats, horses, pigeons or other animals (apart from the hens and bees allowed by s. 6.23), and each horse, cow, goat or sheep needs at least 0.2 ha (0.5 acre).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), ss. 5.7.3, 5.8.3, 5.9.x](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Lots less than 0.4 ha (1 ac) in area shall not be used for the keeping of cows," … "An area of not less than 0.2 ha (0.5 ac) shall be made available for the keeping"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (s. 6.23, Animals in Single Detached Residential Zones)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 1](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024" … "Animals in Single Detached Residential Zones"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Section 6.23 of the [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105](<https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf>) allows backyard hens and bees in single detached residential zones, with limits by lot size. The hen and bee rules do not apply to properties with farm status under the BC Assessment Act. The City's pages mention no permit, licence or registration for hens.

## Good to know

- Hens: not allowed on lots under 350 m2; up to 4 on lots under 450 m2; up to 6, in enclosed runs, on lots over 450 m2 and under 2,000 m2. The bylaw states no limit for lots of 2,000 m2 or more.
- Roosters (male poultry) are prohibited, except on Agricultural Land Reserve land or parcels over 2,000 m2 (21,528 sq ft).
- In residential zones, runs must be at least 0.8 m2 (8.5 sq ft) and coops at least 0.2 m2 (2 sq ft) per bird. A poultry building cannot be in the front yard and must be at least 3 m (10 ft) from any lot line. In the Agriculture zone, poultry buildings must be 25 m from all lot lines.
- Bees: banned on lots under 600 m2; up to 2 hives on lots of 600 to 929 m2; up to 4 on larger lots. Hives go in the rear yard, 7.5 m from the neighbouring lot line, with the entrance facing away behind a 1.8 m solid fence or hedge. Hives must be registered with the Province.
- In the Agriculture, Future Development and Rural Residential zones, lots under 0.4 ha (1 acre) may not keep cows, goats, horses, pigeons or other animals (apart from the hens and bees s. 6.23 allows), and each horse, cow, goat or sheep needs at least 0.2 ha (0.5 acre).
- The bylaw sets no other livestock rule for ordinary single detached residential zones. Ask Development Services at 250-720-2835.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (PDF)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf)
- [Animal Control and Wildlife, City of Port Alberni](https://www.portalberni.ca/animal-control-and-wildlife)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/how-many-pets.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update) (PDF)](https://www.portalberni.ca/sites/default/files/doc_library/5105_Zoning_Bylaw_No_5105_2024_Oct%202026%20Update.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Animal Control and Wildlife, City of Port Alberni](https://www.portalberni.ca/animal-control-and-wildlife) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning, City of Port Alberni](https://www.portalberni.ca/zoning) (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 City of Port Alberni. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/backyard-chickens/_