Port Edward backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?
Short answer
In Port Edward, the District's page says residents may keep chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, pigeons and honeybees, but roosters are not allowed. Zoning permits Agriculture only in the A1 and A2 zones, so check before keeping hens on a residential lot.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | The District's page says residents may keep chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, pigeons and honeybees. Zoning Bylaw 713 permits Agriculture only in the A1 and A2 zones; R1 lists only single-family dwelling and its accessory uses. Check with the District before keeping hens on a residential lot.Animal Control, Other Animals; Zoning Bylaw No. 713, 2020, consolidated, Definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingResidents of Port Edward are permitted to keep certain small animals such as chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, pigeons, and honeybees. food production, and keeping of poultry, livestock and horses. Means a Use providing for the growing, producing, keeping or In the A2 Zone, the following Principal Uses are permitted and all others In the R1 Zone, the following Principal Uses are permitted and all others |
|---|---|
| Most hens | None set. Port Edward's files state no limit on the number of hens. |
| Roosters | No. Roosters are not permitted anywhere in Port Edward.Animal Control, Roosters; Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 519, 2011, s. 1 (Livestock Small) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingRoosters are not permitted anywhere in Port Edward. chicken (except for roosters) |
| Coop rules | Poultry must be housed in secure coops or enclosures and not allowed to roam onto neighbouring properties or public spaces.Animal Control, General Poultry Rules · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingPoultry must be housed in secure coops or enclosures. Animals should not be allowed to roam freely onto neighbouring properties or public spaces. |
| Permit or registration | None set. Port Edward's files state no permit or registration for hens. |
| Bees | Honeybees are listed among the small animals residents may keep. No limits are stated.Animal Control, Other Animals; Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 519, 2011, s. 1 (Livestock Small) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingchickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, pigeons, and honeybees Livestock Animals (Small) - means such animals as: Domestic fowls, pigeons, chicken (except for roosters), rabbits, ducks, geese, honey bees, and other game birds Municipality - means the District of Port Edward. |
| Other livestock | Ducks, geese, rabbits and pigeons are listed with chickens as small animals residents may keep. Large livestock (cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, donkeys, horses) are defined in the bylaw but no residential-lot rule was found.Animal Control, Other Animals; Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 519, 2011, s. 1 (Livestock Animals (Large)) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingducks, geese, rabbits, pigeons dairy and beef cattle, bulls, goats, pigs including potbellied breeds, sheep, donkeys and mules |
| Bylaw | District of Port Edward Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 519, 2011; Zoning Bylaw No. 713, 2020Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 519, 2011, s. 39; Zoning Bylaw No. 713, 2020, consolidated, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAnimal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 519, 2011 Zoning Bylaw No. 713, 2020 |
How it works
The District's Animal Control page says residents may keep chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, pigeons and honeybees. Section 13 of the Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 519, 2011 says no person may keep any animal except in accordance with the bylaw.
Good to know
- Zoning is the catch. The Zoning Bylaw No. 713, 2020 permits Agriculture only in the A1 and A2 zones, and R1 lists only a single-family dwelling and its accessory uses. "Hobby Farm" appears against A1 only. Whether hens are allowed on a residential lot is not stated in the files read, so check with the District (250-628-3667) before buying hens.
- Roosters are not permitted anywhere in Port Edward.
- Poultry must be kept in secure coops or enclosures and not allowed to roam onto neighbouring properties or public spaces.
- No limit on the number of hens, no coop size or setback rule, and no permit or registration is stated.
- Honeybees are listed among the small animals residents may keep. No limits are stated.
- Large livestock (cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, donkeys, horses) are defined in the bylaw, but no residential-lot rule was found.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Prince Rupert · Kitimat · Terrace · Port Clements · Daajing Giids · New Hazelton
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Animal Control, District of Port Edward (read 2026-11-08)
- Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw No. 519, 2011 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 713, 2020, consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Resident Complaint Form, District of Port Edward (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 2 are recorded as not set. How answers are checked.