---
title: Pouce Coupe backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
question: "Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?"
place: Pouce Coupe, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/pouce-coupe
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: Village of Pouce Coupe
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/backyard-chickens/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/backyard-chickens.json"
---

# Pouce Coupe backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

**Short answer:** In Pouce Coupe, you can keep 2 to 4 hens with a Village permit and an annual licence of $27.69. Roosters are not allowed. Bees are a permitted use in the R-1 zone. Other livestock is not allowed, except horses on agricultural land.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Pouce Coupe, https://www.poucecoupe.ca)  
**Cost:** Annual hen licence $27.69. No separate permit fee is stated. Ticket for no licence: $33.23.  
**How long:** A hen permit needs a Village inspection before it is issued; the licence is for the calendar year.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 5011 49th Avenue, Pouce Coupe, BC (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Village Office, 250-786-5794

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** Yes, with a permit and annual licence. The Hen Keeping Bylaw allows hens on properties in the R-1 or R-2 zones; the keeper must be the owner (or have the owner's permission) and live on the property. Zoning Bylaw 1093 lists "backyard hen enclosure" as an accessory use in R-1 only. (Sources differ: Conflict: Bylaw 1024 s. 4 says R-1 or R-2; the new Zoning Bylaw 1093 (2026) lists hen enclosures only under R-1 (not R-2). The bylaw 1024 consolidation (with Bylaw 1069, 2025) still refers to "the current zoning bylaw".)
  - Source: [Hen Keeping Bylaw No. 1024, 2020, s. 4, s. 6(a)](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/27086/)
  - Official wording: "The keeping of hens is permitted on properties located in any of the residential R-1 or R-2 zones as listed in the current zoning bylaw." … "Be the registered owner or obtain permission from the registered property owner of the property where hens are kept, and reside at the property where the hens are kept;"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1093, 2026, s. 7, R-1 zone](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/52625/)
  - Official wording: "iii. Backyard hen enclosure"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1093, 2026, s. 4, Backyard Hen Enclosures](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/52625/)
  - Official wording: "Refer to Village Bylaws for regulations for backyard hen enclosures."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Most hens:** No more than four hens per parcel, and at least two if hens are kept.
  - Source: [Hen Keeping Bylaw No. 1024, 2020, s. 6(b), s. 8(c)](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/27086/)
  - Official wording: "Keep no more than four (4) hens per parcel of land;" … "Keep fewer than 2 hens, if hens are kept;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Roosters:** Not allowed. No one may keep a rooster on property they own or occupy.
  - Source: [Hen Keeping Bylaw No. 1024, 2020, s. 8(a)](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/27086/)
  - Official wording: "Keep or permit to be kept any rooster on property that they own or occupy;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Coop rules:** Enclosure (coop and run) in the rear yard only, never the front or side yard; one enclosure per lot. Coop at most 8.0 m² floor area and 2.0 m high. Coop and pen at least 2.5 m from the side and rear parcel lines. Eggs and products may not be sold.
  - Source: [Hen Keeping Bylaw No. 1024, 2020, s. 6(c), (f), (g), (i); s. 8(d), (j)](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/27086/)
  - Official wording: "A backyard hen enclosure must be located in the rear yard of the property;" … "The maximum size of a coop is 8.0 m2 in floor area and 2.0 m in height;" … "The coop and pen must be placed at least 2.5 m from the exterior of side parcel line, the interior side parcel line and the rear parcel line;" … "more than one enclosure per single family residential lot" … "Backyard hen enclosures are for personal use only and products produced from backyard hen enclosures shall not be sold in any commercial manner."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permit or registration:** Two steps each year: a hen permit (application, then a Village inspection before it is issued), then a licence for the calendar year. Annual licence fee $27.69; failing to obtain a licence $33.23. Apply for a licence within 7 days of becoming the owner of hens.
  - Source: [Hen Keeping Bylaw No. 1024, 2020, s. 5(b)-(d), s. 7](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/27086/)
  - Official wording: "A person may apply for a backyard hen permit by completing the backyard hen permit application." … "Once the permit has been approved, there must be a license obtained for the hens." … "the property must be in compliance with the Property Maintenance Standards Bylaw No. 1008, 2018 before a permit can be issued."
  - Source: [Consolidated Municipal Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1062, 2025, Schedule G](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/46859/)
  - Official wording: "Annual Licence Fee $27.69" … "Failure to Obtain a Licence $33.23"
  - Source: [Animal Control, Backyard Hen Keeping](https://poucecoupe.ca/government/bylaws/animal-control/)
  - Official wording: "There is a two stage process to keeping hens in the Village of Pouce Coupe."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bees:** Bee keeping is listed as a permitted use in the R-1 zone (not R-2 or A-1). The zoning bylaw sets no limits and refers readers to "Village Bylaws".
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1093, 2026, s. 7, R-1 zone](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/52625/)
  - Official wording: "iii. Manufactured home iii. Backyard hen enclosure iv. Bed and breakfast v. Bee keeping vi. Daycare vii. Home occupation"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1093, 2026, s. 4, Bee Keeping](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/52625/)
  - Official wording: "Refer to Village Bylaws for regulations regarding bee keeping."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Other livestock:** Animals other than dogs and cats may not be kept in the Village, except horses on land zoned Agricultural and hens under the Hen Keeping Bylaw. "Animal" includes swine, sheep, goats, ducks and other poultry.
  - Source: [Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018, s. 3 (Animal), s. 10(1), s. 18(1)](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/16840/)
  - Official wording: "Includes a dog, cat, horse, mule, ass, swine, sheep, goat, turkey, goose, duck or other poultry, pigeons, reptiles" … "No person shall permit any animal, except a dog or cat, to be housed, pastured, or maintained on any land within the Village, except as permitted by Section 18." … "A horse shall only be kept, housed, pastured on land within the Village that has been zoned Agricultural."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Hen Keeping Bylaw No. 1024, 2020 (with Amendment Bylaw No. 1069, 2025); Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018; Zoning Bylaw No. 1093, 2026.
  - Source: [Hen Keeping Bylaw No. 1024, 2020, s. 1](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/27086/)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as Hen Keeping Bylaw No. 1024, 2020."
  - Source: [Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018, s. 1](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/16840/)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The [Hen Keeping Bylaw No. 1024](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/27086/) allows hens in Pouce Coupe, but not roosters, in the R-1 or R-2 zones. You must own the property, or have the owner's permission, and live there. You need a hen permit and then a licence for each calendar year. Selling eggs or other products is not allowed.

## Steps

1. Apply to the Village for a hen permit. The Village inspects before it is issued.
2. Get the annual hen licence, $27.69. Apply within 7 days of becoming the owner of hens.
3. Keep 2 to 4 hens. The coop and run go in the rear yard only, one enclosure per lot.

## Good to know

- Coop: at most 8.0 m² floor area and 2.0 m high, and at least 2.5 m from the side and rear parcel lines. The run must be fully enclosed with wire or mesh and covered with a solid roof.
- Hen manure may not go in Village bins; it goes to a Peace River Regional District landfill.
- Licence fees are non-refundable. Failing to get a licence is a $33.23 ticket.
- Zoning Bylaw 1093 lists hen enclosures only under R-1, not R-2. Confirm your zone with the Village.
- Bee keeping is a permitted use in the R-1 zone only. The zoning bylaw sets no limits and refers readers to "Village Bylaws".
- Other animals, which the [Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/16840/) defines to include swine, sheep, goats, ducks and other poultry, may not be kept, except horses on land zoned Agricultural.

## Official forms and pages

- [Hen Keeping Bylaw No. 1024, 2020 (PDF)](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/27086/)
- [Animal Control page, Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.ca/government/bylaws/animal-control/)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/how-many-pets.md)
- [Pouce Coupe dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/dog-licence.md)
- [Pouce Coupe zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Dawson Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Taylor](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Fort St. John](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [Hen Keeping Bylaw No. 1024, 2020 (PDF), Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/27086/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Animal Control & Licensing Bylaw No. 1005, 2018 (PDF), Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/16840/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1093, 2026 (PDF), Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/52625/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Consolidated Municipal Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1062, 2025 (PDF), Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.civicweb.net/document/46859/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Animal Control, Village of Pouce Coupe](https://poucecoupe.ca/government/bylaws/animal-control/) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 8 of 8 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Village of Pouce Coupe. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/backyard-chickens/_