Princeton backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?
Short answer
In Princeton, backyard hens are allowed in the RC (Country Residential) zone, up to four, with no roosters. They are not listed as a permitted use in the other residential zones. Schedule H lists a $15 annual poultry charge.
Key facts
| Hens allowed | Backyard hens are a permitted principal use in the RC (Country Residential) zone. They are not listed as a permitted use in the other residential zones in the zoning bylaw consolidation.Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2013, s. 10.1 (RC zone); Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2013, s. 4 definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe following principal uses, and no others, will be permitted in the RC-Country Residential Zone. .2 backyard hens; “BACKYARD HENS” means female fowl kept for the purpose of laying eggs for food |
|---|---|
| Most hens | No more than four backyard hens.Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2013, s. 6.5.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo more than four backyard hens are permitted; |
| Roosters | No. No roosters, cocks or cockerels may be kept on the property.Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2013, s. 6.5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo roosters, cocks or cockerels are to be kept on the property; |
| Coop rules | Only one structure for the hens. It must be in a fully fenced side or rear yard, at least 1.5 m from any property line and 3.0 m from any dwelling unit, no higher than 2.0 m. On a corner parcel the setback from the street side must be at least the greater of the principal building's existing setback and the required principal-building setback.Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2013, s. 6.5.3 to 6.5.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingshall be located in a fully fenced side or rear yard, at least 1.5 m from any property line and at least 3.0 m from any dwelling unit Only one structure containing backyard hens is permitted; shall be no higher than 2.0 m at grade |
| Permit or registration | Schedule H lists an annual Domestic Poultry charge of $15 (rate as at September 1, 2026) to keep domesticated chickens. Whether a separate permit or registration is required is not stated; Animal Control Bylaw No. 782 has no poultry section.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule H, Schedule H, H06 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingH06 Domestic Poultry $ 10.00 $ 10.00 $ 10.00 $ 10.00 $ 15.00 to keep domesticated chickens. The fee charged shall be levied annually. |
| Bees | The Wildlife Attractant Bylaw says beehives must be kept reasonably inaccessible to wildlife, enclosed by fencing and situated according to the Zoning Bylaw. Whether hives are allowed in a given zone is not stated.Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 985, 2020, s. 10(i), (j); Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule H, Schedule H, H05 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBeehives must be enclosed by fencing and situated according to the Zoning Bylaw; any bees and beehives are kept in such a manner so that they are reasonably inaccessible to wildlife. H05 Domestic Bees $ 10.00 $ 10.00 $ 10.00 $ 10.00 $ 15.00 |
| Other livestock | Agriculture, which includes rearing livestock, is a permitted use in the FG and RC zones. In the RC zone, buildings used for keeping livestock must be at least 7.5 m from any property line and 12 m from any dwelling unit. Agriculture does not include commercial kennels, feedlots, stables, piggeries, mink farms and poultry farms.Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2013, s. 4 definitions; Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2013, s. 10.1 and 10.2 (RC zone) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording“AGRICULTURE” means growing, rearing, producing or harvesting agricultural crops and livestock .1 agriculture; Minimum setbacks for buildings used 7.5 m (25 ft) minimum from any property 12 m (39 ft) from any dwelling unit |
| Bylaw | Town of Princeton Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2013 (hens, section 6.5); Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 985, 2020 (coops, bees); Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022 (annual charge).Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2013, s. 1.1; Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 985, 2020, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as the “Town of Princeton Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013” WILDLIFE ATTRACTANT BYLAW NO.985, 2020 |
How it works
The Zoning Bylaw makes backyard hens a permitted use in the RC (Country Residential) zone. They are not listed in the other residential zones in the copy read, and the Town's pages name no other zone. Check your zone with Planning first.
Good to know
- No more than four hens, and no roosters, cocks or cockerels.
- Only one structure for the hens. It must be in a fully fenced side or rear yard, at least 1.5 m from any property line and 3.0 m from any dwelling unit, and no higher than 2.0 m. On a corner parcel, the setback from the street side must be at least the greater of the principal building's existing setback and the required principal-building setback.
- Schedule H of the Fees and Charges Bylaw lists an annual Domestic Poultry charge of $15. The bylaw copy read does not say whether a separate permit or registration is needed. Ask the Town.
- Bees: the Wildlife Attractant Bylaw says beehives must be kept reasonably inaccessible to wildlife, enclosed by fencing and situated according to the Zoning Bylaw. Where hives are allowed is not stated.
- Other livestock: agriculture, which includes rearing livestock, is permitted in the FG and RC zones. In the RC zone, buildings for livestock must be at least 7.5 m from any property line and 12 m from any dwelling unit. Livestock in other residential zones is not mentioned.
- Contact Planning at planning@princeton.ca or 250-295-3135.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Keremeos · Summerland · Hope · Penticton · Peachland · Merritt
Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 880, 2013 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule H (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 985, 2020 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Contact Us, Town of Princeton (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. How answers are checked.