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

# Salmo backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

**Short answer:** In Salmo, you may keep chickens (no other poultry) on a parcel of at least 696.77 m², up to 6 at a time. Roosters are not allowed. Bees are allowed with limits by lot size. Livestock is prohibited on lots under 4.05 hectares.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Salmo, https://salmo.ca)  
**Cost:** The bylaws name no hen permit or fee. A permit for a livestock emotional support animal costs $150 per application and $50 per animal each year.  
**How long:** The rules apply at all times.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 423 Davies Avenue, Salmo, BC V0G 1Z0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and on statutory holidays))
- Phone: Village Office, 250-357-9433

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** Chickens only (no other poultry), on a parcel of at least 696.77 m² (7,500 sq ft), and not in, on or under a building used as a home. Keepers must follow Ministry of Agriculture rules.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw Addendum #707, s. 6.1.1, 6.1.2 as amended by Bylaw #707](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/707-Animal-Control-Bylaw-addendum.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No other breeds of poultry." … "on a parcel with an area of less than 696.77 square metres (7,500 square feet)" … "in, upon, or under any structure used for human habitation."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Most hens:** 6 chickens at any one time.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw Addendum #707, s. 6.1.4(b)](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/707-Animal-Control-Bylaw-addendum.pdf)
  - Official wording: "not keep more than 6 of any kind of chickens at any one time."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Roosters:** No. Roosters are not allowed within Village limits at any time.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw #699, 2018, s. 6.1.3(c) as originally numbered (renumbered 6.1.4 by Bylaw #707)](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/699-Animal-Control-Bylaw-2018.pdf)
  - Official wording: "not keep roosters within Village limits at any time."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Coop rules:** No coop size or setback is set. A bird kept outdoors needs a shelter that protects from heat, cold and dampness, gives shade, and is cleaned of all excrement at least daily. Chickens must not create a nuisance, and premises must be kept sanitary.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw Addendum #707, s. 6.1.3 as amended by Bylaw #707](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/707-Animal-Control-Bylaw-addendum.pdf)
  - Official wording: "such chickens do not create a nuisance" … "are maintained in a sanitary condition at all times"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw #699, 2018, s. 4.3.1](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/699-Animal-Control-Bylaw-2018.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A person must not keep an animal or bird which normally resides outdoors, or which is kept outdoors for extended periods of time, unless such animal or bird is provided with an outdoor shelter:" … "which is cleaned and sanitized not less than daily, of all excrement."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permit or registration:** Keepers must follow Ministry of Agriculture rules and present proof of training yearly. The bylaws name no hen permit or fee.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw Addendum #707, s. 6.1.4(a) as amended by Bylaw #707](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/707-Animal-Control-Bylaw-addendum.pdf)
  - Official wording: "it is the responsibility of all poultry owners to keep up to date with training and regulatory requirements; proof must be presented yearly."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bees:** Allowed with limits: 2 hives on a parcel under 1,000 m², 4 on 1,000 to 2,000 m², 6 on 2,000 to 4,000 m². None on a parcel with a multiple-family dwelling. Hives go in the rear yard, entrance facing away from the nearest neighbour.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw #699, 2018, s. 7.1.2, 7.2.1](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/699-Animal-Control-Bylaw-2018.pdf)
  - Official wording: "each beehive is located in a rear yard away from the main street" … "keep more than two (2) beehives on a parcel of less than 1,000 square metres" … "locate a beehive on any parcel containing a multiple family dwelling"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Other livestock:** Livestock (cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats and others) is prohibited on lots under 4.05 hectares and limited to zones RR-1 and R-2. Aviaries and fur-bearing animals are prohibited. A pair of miniature goats may be allowed with a livestock emotional support animal permit.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw #699, 2018, s. 4.1.3, 4.1.4](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/699-Animal-Control-Bylaw-2018.pdf)
  - Official wording: "strictly prohibited on lots under 4.05 hectares (10 acres) and is limited to Zones RR-1 (Rural) and R-2 (Estate Residential)." … "Aviaries in Village of Salmo limits are strictly prohibited."
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw Addendum #707, s. 4.7.4(f)](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/707-Animal-Control-Bylaw-addendum.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A pair of miniature, pygmy or dwarf goat breeds weighing up to 25 kg (55 pounds)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Animal Control Bylaw #699, 2018, with Addendum Bylaw #707, 2019.
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw #699, 2018, Title](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/699-Animal-Control-Bylaw-2018.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Village of Salmo Animal Control Bylaw #699, 2018"
  - Source: [Animal Control Bylaw Addendum #707, Title](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/707-Animal-Control-Bylaw-addendum.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Village of Salmo Animal Control Bylaw #699 Addendum, 2019"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The [Animal Control Bylaw #699](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/699-Animal-Control-Bylaw-2018.pdf), as amended by the [Addendum Bylaw #707](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/707-Animal-Control-Bylaw-addendum.pdf), allows chickens only (no other poultry) on a parcel of at least 696.77 m² (7,500 sq ft). They may not be in, on or under a building used as a home. You may keep 6 chickens at any one time, and roosters are not allowed within Village limits. Keepers must follow Ministry of Agriculture rules and present proof of training yearly. The bylaws name no hen permit or fee.

Bees: 2 hives on a parcel under 1,000 m², 4 on 1,000 to 2,000 m², 6 on 2,000 to 4,000 m². None on a parcel with a multiple-family dwelling. Hives go in the rear yard with the entrance facing away from the nearest neighbour.

## Steps

1. Check your parcel size against the minimum above.
2. Arrange Ministry of Agriculture training and keep proof to show yearly.
3. Ask the Village office (250-357-9433) about coop siting. No coop size or setback is set.

## Good to know

- A bird kept outdoors needs a shelter that protects from heat, cold and dampness, gives shade, and is cleaned of all excrement at least daily. Chickens must not create a nuisance.
- Livestock (cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats and others) is prohibited on lots under 4.05 hectares and limited to zones RR-1 and R-2. Aviaries and fur-bearing animals are prohibited. The current Zoning Bylaw #773 has no R-2 zone, so ask the Village what applies.
- A pair of miniature goats may be allowed with a livestock emotional support animal permit.
- Hives within 8 m of a neighbouring dwelling lot line must be 2.5 m up or behind a solid fence or hedge at least 2.0 m high. Bee keepers need Ministry of Agriculture training.

## Official forms and pages

- [Animal Control Bylaw #699, 2018 (PDF)](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/699-Animal-Control-Bylaw-2018.pdf)
- [Animal Control Bylaw Addendum #707 (PDF)](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/707-Animal-Control-Bylaw-addendum.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw #773, 2026 (PDF)](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/773-Zoning-Bylaw-2026-Website-Copy.pdf)

## Related questions

- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/how-many-pets.md)
- [Salmo zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Warfield](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Rossland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [Animal Control Bylaw #699, 2018 (PDF)](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/699-Animal-Control-Bylaw-2018.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Animal Control Bylaw Addendum #707 (PDF)](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/707-Animal-Control-Bylaw-addendum.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Zoning Bylaw #773, 2026 (PDF)](https://salmo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/773-Zoning-Bylaw-2026-Website-Copy.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Contact, Village of Salmo](https://salmo.ca/contact/) (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 Salmo. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/backyard-chickens/_