---
title: Sicamous backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules
question: "Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock in Sicamous?"
place: Sicamous, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/sicamous
category: Pets, animals and wildlife
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Sicamous
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/backyard-chickens/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/backyard-chickens.json"
---

# Sicamous backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules

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

**Short answer:** Outside the Agricultural Land Reserve in Sicamous, up to four hens per parcel are allowed under the urban hen rules. Roosters are prohibited. Keep hens on the parcel in a coop that meets the rear-yard and setback requirements.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Sicamous, https://www.sicamous.ca)  
**Where:**
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 250-836-2477

## Key facts

- **Hens allowed:** The urban hen rule applies in all zones outside the Agricultural Land Reserve.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 42](https://sicamous.civicweb.net/document/125687)
  - Official wording: "(i) Keeping Urban Hens in areas outside the ALR is permitted in all zones provided no roosters are kept, hens are provided a coop, are not permitted to run at large outside the Parcel Lines, and there are no more than 4 hens per Parcel;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Most hens:** Outside the Agricultural Land Reserve in Sicamous, up to four hens per parcel are allowed under the urban hen rules.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 42](https://sicamous.civicweb.net/document/125687)
  - Official wording: "(i) Keeping Urban Hens in areas outside the ALR is permitted in all zones provided no roosters are kept, hens are provided a coop, are not permitted to run at large outside the Parcel Lines, and there are no more than 4 hens per Parcel;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Roosters:** Roosters are prohibited under the urban hen provision.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 42](https://sicamous.civicweb.net/document/125687)
  - Official wording: "(i) Keeping Urban Hens in areas outside the ALR is permitted in all zones provided no roosters are kept, hens are provided a coop, are not permitted to run at large outside the Parcel Lines, and there are no more than 4 hens per Parcel;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Coop rules:** Use a rear-yard, grade-level coop, up to 10 m² and 2 m high, meeting accessory-building setbacks and at least 3 m from any dwelling door or window. Keep wildlife out.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 42–43](https://sicamous.civicweb.net/document/125687)
  - Official wording: "(ii) coops must be: .a no more than 10 m2 in Floor Area; .b no more than 2 m high; Bylaw No. 1100, 2024 | PART 3 Page 38 of 146 .c situated in accordance with the Accessory Building Setback regulations; .d no closer than 3 m from any door or window of any Dwelling Unit; .e situated in a Rear Yard only; .f located at Grade level; and .g be constructed to prevent access by wildlife and other animals."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Permit or registration:** Not confirmed. Checked CONSOLIDATED DATE, Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024; not found there.
- **Bees:** In B.C., register the beekeeper and each apiary together. Local permission, hive numbers and siting for this property still need confirmation.
  - Source: [B.C. Bee Regulation, B.C. Reg. 3/2015, B.C. Bee Regulation section 3(1), registration](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/3_2015)
  - Official wording: "#### Registration 3 (1) Both of the following must be registered together on an application for registration, including an application to renew a registration, made under section 12 (1) of the Act: (a) the person who will engage in beekeeping; (b) each apiary in relation to which the person will engage in beekeeping."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Other livestock:** Not confirmed. Checked CONSOLIDATED DATE, Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024; not found there.
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024, PDF p. 1](https://sicamous.civicweb.net/document/125687)
  - Official wording: "District of Sicamous Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024 Effective Date – September 11, 2024"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

Start with the property, then plan the flock and the enclosure. The number of birds is only one part of the decision. How the bylaw describes the lot, the type of bird and the location of the coop can all affect a proposal. Use a rear-yard, grade-level coop, up to 10 m² and 2 m high, meeting accessory-building setbacks and at least 3 m from any dwelling door or window. Keep wildlife out.

## Steps

1. Check the rules for your flock in [Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024 (PDF)](https://sicamous.civicweb.net/document/125687). Find the property's zone and draw the proposed coop and run in relation to the home, neighbouring lots and street.
2. Identify the number, age and type of birds you plan to keep. Compare those details with the limits below before buying birds or materials.

## Good to know

- The urban hen rule applies in all zones outside the Agricultural Land Reserve.
- In B.C., register the beekeeper and each apiary together. Local permission, hive numbers and siting for this property still need confirmation.
- Open the Sicamous Map Hub and choose the Property Information app.
- For bees or another species, ask about that species by name. A provision covering laying hens does not establish permission to keep every type of poultry or livestock.
- For a question about the proposed number of birds, lot size and coop location, call the Municipal Hall at 250-836-2477.

## Related questions

- [Sicamous home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/home-based-business.md)
- [Sicamous zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard chicken rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Chase](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chase/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Revelstoke](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/backyard-chickens.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/backyard-chickens.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1100, 2024 (PDF)](https://sicamous.civicweb.net/document/125687) (read 2026-11-09)
- [District of Sicamous Mapping](https://www.sicamous.ca/maps) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Sicamous municipal office contact information](https://www.sicamous.ca/DOING-BUSINESS/BUSINESS-LICENSING) (read 2026-11-09)
- [B.C. Bee Regulation, B.C. Reg. 3/2015](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/3_2015) (read 2026-11-09)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 8 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Sicamous. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/backyard-chickens/_