Port Alberni backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
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.
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.Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 6.23, 6.23.2, 6.23.12; Animal Control and Wildlife, Chickens · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe keeping of female poultry is prohibited on lots less than 350 m2 These regulations do not apply to properties with farm status classification under The keeping of female poultry is prohibited on lots less than 350 m2 |
|---|---|
| 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 6.23.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe 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 |
| Roosters | No. Male poultry are prohibited, except on ALR land or parcels over 2,000 m² (21,528 sq ft).Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 6.23.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe keeping of male poultry is prohibited, except on ALR lands or on parcels greater |
| 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 6.23.4-6.23.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingRuns 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 |
| 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 6.23.6-6.23.11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe 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 |
| 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).Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), ss. 5.7.3, 5.8.3, 5.9.x · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingLots 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 |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (s. 6.23, Animals in Single Detached Residential Zones)Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingZoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 Animals in Single Detached Residential Zones |
How it works
Section 6.23 of the Zoning Bylaw No. 5105 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
The same question in other places
Qualicum Beach · Parksville · Cumberland · Comox · Courtenay · Lantzville
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 5105, 2024 (October 2026 update) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Animal Control and Wildlife, City of Port Alberni (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning, City of Port Alberni (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. How answers are checked.